It was the television event of the year.
The most spectacular finale in the show's history
set the glam rocker against the boy next door.
The stage was electrified.
The country was split.
And for at least one person,
the result was a total shock.
Kris Allen!
Another idol was crowned.
A new star was born.
But the conclusion of the season was
just the beginning of the drama.
American Idol's judges could be breaking up a little bit.
Say it's not so.
Paula Abdul's journey on American Idol is over.
As the news echoed around the world,
the question on everyone's mind:
who else can hold their own against Simon Cowell?
We found eight guest judges to
seek out the talent on the road.
But the permanent gig went to
possibly our biggest fan.
I just finally got the okay,
just moments ago to announce this to you today.
Oh, god.
I am gonna be the new judge on American Idol.
It's a new beginning.
Simon leads the search once more.
Thousands... and I mean
thousands... of Idol hopefuls
have lined up for their chance
to be season nine American Idol.
We have American Idol fever in North Texas.
We are thrilled.
The auditions are back at Cowboys Stadium.
American Idol! Yeah!
Each year, we get bigger and better.
Be prepared for this year's talent to blow you away.
- Welcome to Hollywood. - Whoo!
- Oh, god, no, please! - Security!
You see me fighting for this show,
and then you're gonna kick me out like that?
No.
- Y'all! - Mom, she's through.
You're going to Hollywood!
- Four yeses to Hollywood. - Whoo!
- You got four yeses. - Whoo!
Hollywood!
Simon Cowell, I am going to Hollywood.
No, you're not.
And the road to Hollywood stretches for thousands of miles,
leading us through the lives of a new generation,
one voice at a time.
I come out for American Idol cause I feel so trapped.
I want to make something of myself.
For families that have autism, it's really tough.
There are things that we would like to do for our son
That it's hard to afford right now.
From every corner of America,
from every walk of life,
the dream remains the same.
I'm Dave Pitman.
I do lawn work, but I could be the next American Idol.
My name is Chris Golightly.
My name is Ashley Hobbs.
My name is Brian Walker.
I'm a police officer.
I'm a bartender.
I'm a waiter.
I'm a systems engineer.
I'm a school-bus driver.
I work in a hair salon.
I'm a college football player.
I'm a sales associate at a vintage clothing store.
I'm a receptionist, but I could be...
But I could be...
We could be the next American Idol.
And I'm the next...
We're the...
No! I'm the next American Idol!
No! I'm the next American Idol.
So who is the next American Idol?
Season nine starts in Boston.
Boston, Massachusetts...
our first stop for season nine.
To wait for an audition in this line,
you have to be among the most strong and dedicated.
It's kind of good luck,
cause, you know, if it rains on a wedding day,
you know, it might be nice.
Maybe the rain will bring us luck during auditions.
But even though the weather was dark and dreary,
our crowd of 9,000 was anything but.
# She said I think #
# I'll go to Boston #
Boston rocks!
I love seeing this energy and this enthusiasm.
It's a fight to the finish,
and this is the first step.
And we're not surprised by their excitement.
After all, this is a city of champions,
and they were looking to make history all over again.
- Ooh! - We are so excited.
Oh, my god.
But there's still one hurdle before Hollywood. The judges.
- Kara! - Kara!
Kara's pumped.
We love you.
Randy's raring to go.
Yo, what's up?
What's up? What's up?
And with Simon steering the ship,
we have to be heading in the right direction.
- Oh. - It's this one.
- Sorry. - Oops.
And rounding out the panel is the first
guest judge of the season, Victoria Beckham.
Victoria, how does it feel to be part of
the biggest show on television?
It's a dream come true.
I keep kind of pinching myself.
Is this real? Is it real?
# Yo, I'll tell you #
# what I want #
She's the one they call Posh.
And as part of the platinum-selling group Spice Girls,
Victoria made her mark as a pop star with girl power.
# I wanna, I wanna #
# If you want to be my lover #
Today her success continues as an entrepreneur,
best-selling author, designer, and fashion icon.
We're so coordinated, we look like we're on a night out.
But how's Posh feeling about her turn on the idol panel?
I've been that person, stood there, singing my heart out.
And for me to actually be there,
to be part of building someone's career is just great.
So our stage is set.
And a new batch of contestants is ready for their shot,
each of them wanting their voices to be validated by our panel.
But our first contestant already gets
that kind of encouragement every day.
Meet Janet.
I've only actually been singing, like,
well for about two years.
Last year I got the American Idol game.
And that's when I really started going to town.
When I first started playing the game, like,
they always told me I wasn't going to Hollywood.
Really, really bad.
And now, like, unless I'm having a really bad day,
they're like, "You are it."
Fantastic.
Great job.
Singing, American Idol, dancing, being on stage,
like, that's my life.
But hopefully I won't have to do too many interviews.
I'm sorry.
I've been doing, like, the same thing I do,
like, if I have a job interview.
like, I go to the bathroom, and I jump up and down,
and I tell myself I'm awesome.
Oh, my gosh.
This is gonna be sick.
You're awesome.
I'm gonna knock its socks off.
I'm... I'm... I'm ready.
You can do it!
You are wicked awesome.
You're gonna kill it.
We got it, we got it, we got it.
Come on.
All right, break down that door.
- Let's do it! - Break down that door.
# Jump, jump, jump, jump #
Careful, don't fall.
Whoa, whoo, wah!
- How you doing? - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
I'm bringing it on.
Feel it, bring it.
All right, Janet, Janet.
It says that you've mastered the American Idol video game.
I'm fricking awesome at it, Simon.
You guys lift me up.
- You love me on that show. - Really?
Yes, you guys, every day you're like...
- "American Idol". - So we're gonna put this to the test.
Does this game actually work?
Okay, now just imagine you are on the game.
- Yeah. - I'm on the game!
- I got it, right? - We're sitting here, yeah.
- Is it a yes? - We're gonna find out.
- Am I singing? - Yeah, do it like you do on the game.
# I got a pocket, got a pocket #
# full of sunshine #
# I got a love that you know #
# that it's on mine #
# no-oh #
# oh-oh #
# do what you want but you're #
# never gonna break me #
# sticks and stones are never #
# gonna shake me #
# uh-oh #
# oh-oh #
# take me away #
# that secret place #
# take me away #
# that hiding place #
# I got a pocket, got a pocket #
# full of sunshine I got a love that you know #
# that it's on mine #
# no-oh #
# oh-ohh #
Okay, thank you.
Does this window open?
Yeah, exactly.
That's what you did on the game?
- Yeah. - All right, and what did our characters say?
Look, you just have... No, your character...
you really like me 90% of the time.
- I did? - And Paula always likes me.
Paula is always like...
But I'm not...
Paula shows me love.
Okay, well, unfortunately...
- No, I'm not Paula. - Janet, this is real life.
And this character is going to give you
a resounding no after that.
- What? - Wait, she thinks I'm Paula.
No, she's not Paula. That's Kara.
No, I'm not Paula.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I knew that.
Do you know who this is?
That's, uh, Victoria Beckham. Right.
Yeah, David Beckham's wife.
Yeah, that's all you are, honey.
Sorry. The future doesn't look bright, Janet.
- It's a no. - Oh, you said that before.
- "V"? - No, absolutely not.
- Kara? - Wow.
No, honey, I'm sorry.
- Seriously? - And she doesn't matter,
cause you got three nos.
I got... Oh! That's it.
- Four nos. - Bye, Janet.
Thanks, this was wicked awesome.
- Yeah. - Bye.
Here she comes.
That was...
- Oh... - Sorry, there's kids.
No, I said no swearing. I'm sorry, that's my bad.
Yeah, it... Ugh.
Yeah.
They were like, "You're bizarre."
That's weird.
Yeah, like, "You're bizarre."
That was so bizarre.
Paula did think I was good, though, so that was good.
- Paula? - Yeah.
Oh Kara, Kara.
The Kara girl on the left.
She thought I was good.
What audition were you in?
No, she was like... I know.
I'm nervous, I'm sorry.
That's okay.
Yeah, but, yeah, so, you know,
my American Idol dreams are done,
so I guess that's it, so...
- Nice to meet you. - Thanks, buddy.
Appreciate it. Thank you.
Okay, take care.
Careful, your friend.
Stay... We're gonna... Hang on.
Coming up, unbelievable talent,
as Boston brings out the big guns.
You're one of my favorites that I've seen.
- Fantastic. - Wah-ha-ha!
- What? - Ooh.
Some people have got it...
- Unh! - And I think you may have it.
Yeah!
And later, what turns New England downright nasty?
Stop singing forever.
How dare you?
I'm coming for you, America!
Simon, shut up.
If you want to carry on being a smart-ass,
you can leave the room.
You don't have the goods to back it up.
I am now angry at you, who I don't like at all.
It's 10:00 a.m. in Massachusetts,
and the storm clouds that hung over
most of the morning have passed.
It was miserable out earlier,
but it looks like it's clearing up, so that's good.
And that's giving everyone in the crowd a chance
to have some fun in the sun. But back in the holding room,
16-year-old Maddie Curtis has other priorities,
because she's always put her family first.
I am number 9 of 12 kids.
And it's a crazy experience,
but, I mean, it's awesome.
Maddie as a person is really unique,
but her life is really unique too.
The next brother before Maddie,
our number eight child, is Jonathan,
and he has Down's Syndrome.
You know, a lot of people might find that
kind of an uncomfortable situation to be in,
but we knew it was gonna be pretty exciting
to have the privilege of raising somebody with Down's Syndrome,
and we knew that we'd have a lot to learn.
I've been going to school with John
ever since I was a little kid,
and we've always been doing everything at the same time.
But my mom decided that it might be good for
Johnny to have more of a companion.
So we decided it would be a good idea
to adopt a baby with Down's Syndrome.
And so we did.
Twice since then, people have asked us to adopt kids
with Down's Syndrome, and so Maddie ended up being in the middle.
There goes Justin.
Oh, yeah.
Where are you guys going?
I think some people are a little skeptical of Down's Syndrome.
Those four boys bring out the best in every person they meet.
They see the world in colors,
and we need to see the world that way.
Hey. What's up, man?
- How are you? - Welcome to Boston.
I'm great. How are you?
I'm very well, indeed. Thank you.
- And your name is? - Maddie Curtis.
Maddie Curtis. And how old are you, Maddie Curtis?
I'm 16 years old.
Man, this is so surreal meeting you.
I'm sorry, I've been watching the show since I was eight.
And you didn't think we existed, did you?
- No. - Hmm?
- No. - You thought we were robots.
I love that, man.
Well, look, we've now got to know each other, Maddie.
All right, what have you decided to sing?
"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.
Ah.
I like that song.
Are you gonna do the Leonard Cohen version?
Um, yes.
Well, more of my own little rendition.
More of your own, good.
All right, good song.
All right.
# I heard there was #
# a secret chord #
# that David played #
# and it pleased the Lord #
# but you don't #
# really care for music #
# do you? #
# well, it goes like this #
# the fourth, the fifth #
# the minor fall #
# the major lift #
# the baffled King composing #
# Hallelujah #
Okay, very good.
- Thank you. - Got a nice voice.
Bit of soul in there, Maddie.
Yeah, good deal.
I didn't think it was gonna be that good.
I was like... I was wondering...
You walked in, I was like, "How is this gonna be?"
- But I actually really liked you. - Thank you.
Very controlled, and when you went to the high note
and you came back down and you stayed in key,
I was like, "Yeah." But I like Maddie, dude.
- I like Maddie too. - Victoria?
I think you have a really, really beautiful voice.
You know, you look a little bit nervous,
But I like that, you know?
I think you were great.
You have this old soul about you.
And when you sing, it feels very authentic,
which I really liked about you.
- It was coming from your heart. - Thank you.
And, you know, with a song like that,
you really need to feel it,
and even though you're nervous, I felt that,
so I really think that you did a really good job.
And amazingly, for 16...
cause we got a lot of 16-year-olds who come in here...
- You're not annoying. - Exactly.
- You know, that's rare. - Thank you.
You're not annoying.
- Kara, yes or no? - Definitely.
- Thank you. - Victoria?
- Yes. - Randy?
Yes.
And now the one that counts.
- It's four yeses. - Thank you so much.
Well done. Welcome to Hollywood!
Well done, babe.
- Thank you. - First one. Wow.
- Nice to meet you. - Whoo! There we go.
Thank you so...
I really enjoyed singing for you.
And I really enjoyed you singing for us.
Doing it big, Maddie, doing it big.
Thank you.
- She can see. - Thank you.
Yes.
Oh, thank you, guys.
Thank you.
How do you feel?
I feel like I'm on top of the world.
As you should be.
Congrats.
We'll see you and some of the family in Hollywood?
Yeah?
Yeah!
Oh, there's some power behind that.
Good to meet you.
Have fun.
Nice to see you, Maddie.
Take care. Bye bye.
It's now late morning,
and the outlook in Boston is finally bright.
Our guest judge, Victoria Beckham, has settled in nicely.
I like you.
Got a nice energy.
# To Massachusetts #
I'm going to Hollywood!
And the first golden ticket of season nine
has everyone in the holding room buzzing.
Well, maybe not everyone.
We've been here since 8:00,
and I've been waiting a long time.
At least there's some holding-room entertainment
to keep the contestants occupied.
My name is Pat Ford.
I'm 17, and I'm from Derry, New Hampshire.
I'm pretty much just a really outgoing person.
I'm not scared to say what I think.
I'm not scared to be myself.
Can I do the holler? I love hollering.
All right, awesome.
Holla!
Can I get a "Holla"?
Let's hope he gets a better reaction from the judges.
Patrick.
- Are you ready, Simon? - Yes.
Are you ready, Simon?
# superstar #
# where you from? #
# how's it going? #
# I know you #
# got a clue #
# what you're doing #
# you can play brand-new to #
# all the other chicks in here #
# but I know what you are #
# what you are, baby #
# womanizer, woman, womanizer #
# you're a womanizer #
# oh, womanizer #
Yep!
# you're a womanizer #
# you, you, you are #
# womanizer, womanizer #
# boy, don't try to front #
# I know just what you are #
# boy, don't try to front #
# I know just what you are #
Thank you.
You told that loser.
Yeah, that's right, loser.
You told him.
Patrick, how do you think you did?
I think I did awesome.
I've been singing and dancing all my life, honestly.
For what show?
Okay, Simon, can I just say this one thing?
You're even sassier in person than you are on TV.
- Sassier? - What did you say, he's sassier?
He's sassy.
He's sassy Simon.
Yeah, I love the accent.
- I think he likes you, Simon. - Yeah, why not?
I like sassy.
Kara, I knew you would be a sweetheart to me.
- I knew it. - I like Patrick.
I'll bet you have a lot of friends.
I do. I do have a lot of friends.
- That's true. - I never had any friends in school.
Shocker, Simon.
Ooh, I wonder why.
I used to eat lunch on my own.
Are you gonna say no?
I'm definitely gonna say no, Patrick.
Oh, come on, Simon.
Dude, you're a cool guy, great hang.
Stop singing forever.
You can't sing. Singing's not your...
Randy, I can sing.
I'm trying to keep it real with you.
Singing is not your thing, baby.
I love you. Let's hang out.
Can I hug you? Is that allowed?
- Or the security is gonna... - No, of course it's allowed.
All right.
I mean, it's allowed to a certain... I really like you.
You're a sweet guy.
Thank you so much.
Out you go.
Thank you, guys.
It was nice meeting you.
Nice to meet you.
I'll see you next season.
Yay!
Come back, Patrick.
Well, that's something to look forward to.
It is.
# Thank you #
# for the memories #
Not a strong start for the boys of Boston.
And as the day continued,
it was only the ladies who the judges were loving.
# ding-dong, the witch is dead #
# which old witch? #
# the wicked witch #
# ding-dong, the wicked #
# old witch is dead #
# wake up, you sleepyhead #
# rub your eyes #
# get out of bed #
# ding-dong, the wicked #
# old witch is dead #
I think she's a tiger.
I love her.
# so come on, baby #
# come on over #
# let me be the one #
# to show you #
# I'm the one #
# yeah #
I loved that.
# oh, people get ready #
# there's a train a-coming #
# you don't need no baggage #
# you just get on board #
# all you need #
# is faith #
# to hear diesels #
# humming #
- Kara? - Yes.
- Victoria? - Yes.
100%, I like you a lot.
- Mm-hmm. - Yes.
And this matters to me, cause I'm gonna say yes.
- Welcome to Hollywood. - Thank you.
I'm going to Hollywood!
Yeah!
By noon, only the girls had got the gold.
But what about the guys?
After the break...
can this guy turn things around?
Maybe I was nervous too, so...
Plus, they survived the rain,
but can they weather what Simon has to say?
I promise you this is gonna be the best news
you've ever heard.
And incredible talent you'll have to hear to believe...
some people have got it, and I think you may have it.
Whoo!
Welcome back to Boston,
a city built around passion.
Boston, baby, right here!
American Idol right here!
Boston, baby!
Boston!
My name is Amadeo Dirocco.
I'm 28 years old, and I'm from Providence, Rhode Island.
If I had to describe my family,
that's a feat for no man.
Don't get me started.
Boom, boom!
We get together as a family at least once a week...
cousins, uncles, friends,
everyone that's dear to us.
They are the most loving,
interesting bunch of people.
- Salute. - Salute.
We'll be having a lovely Bowtie Pasta with
a beautiful pink sauce that my dear mother made with salmon.
You guys got to try the mozzarella.
It's delicious. Have some.
I know you want some.
Drinking the homemade wine,
eating the homemade sausage,
and the cheeses and the breads.
By the time you're done,
you need to lay down on the floor,
cause you're so full.
I wish all of you, America,
could come and hang out with my family,
cause you would love it.
You would absolutely adore hanging out with my family.
You can't possibly have a bad time.
I want to thank all of yous for being here, supporting me.
Salute.
I'm auditioning for American Idol
because I think it's a good opportunity,
and I think it's my foot in the door.
This is the day my life is gonna change forever.
Hi guys.
- How are you? - Very good.
And your name is?
My name is Amadeo Dirocco.
Can I just take a minute and look at you guys?
Cause I just want to just try to, you know...
It's amazing.
I'm amazed right now, so...
We like being looked at.
What's taken you so long?
You're 28.
Why haven't you auditioned before?
I don't know.
My wife actually pushed me to do this
when she told me where it was,
and my cousin was totally behind me.
I got so many people behind me
that are amazing, and I came...
I like that, I like that.
Okay, well, we like you, Amadeo.
Now what are you gonna sing?
I'd like to do Muddy Water's "Hoochie Coochie Man".
Yeah. Why not?
Good luck. Let's do it.
# so you got a boy #
# child coming #
# he's gonna be #
# a son of a gun #
# he's gonna make #
# pretty womens #
# jump and shout #
# and the world gonna know #
# what they talking about #
# but you know I'm here #
# Whoo! #
# everybody knows #
# I'm here #
Definitely.
# well, I'm that #
# hoochie coochie man #
# everybody knows #
# I'm here #
Well, they do now.
Oh, yeah, we know it.
We feel it.
Thank you so much.
What do you think, Victoria?
You know, you've got a huge voice,
incredibly powerful.
You have a lot of passion.
And you seem like a really,
really nice... a really, really nice guy.
I try. I don't feel there's any need to be mean to people,
You know, unless they deserve it, I guess.
Simon? You two should hang out.
I like you, Simon. You're real.
I respect you. You're real.
Thank you. I like you.
Thank you.
You know, Amadeo, I just feel like I'm home with my cousin here,
cause, you know, Dioguardi is seriously Italian.
I'll have my mother cook.
She's unbelievable.
I bet she makes a mean sauce. I bet.
Yeah, dog, I like you.
I like your personality.
I like that you're just a real guy.
I mean, the voice is good too.
Thank you.
In a strange way, it was my favorite audition of the day.
Thank you.
Because I like you, and I think you're very sincere.
And I think you have this huge likeability thing.
And I like the idea that a show like this
can give people like you a break.
Thank you so much.
And I think people like being around you,
Amadeo, and that's important.
I hope so. I love being around people.
I can tell that. You have good energy.
Okay, Kara, yes or no?
100% yes, my fellow paisan.
- You're going through. - Victoria?
Definitely, yes.
You have a really, really great energy, and, yeah.
- Thank you so much. - Randy?
My brother, my paisan cousin, 200%.
Oh, thank you.
But, oh, you've got a full house, four yeses.
Welcome to Hollywood, Amadeo!
Thank you so much.
So he's in there right now singing?
He's on his way out now.
One, two, three!
So I would ask you how you feel, but...
We feel great, man. I think we got it.
- Easy, easy, easy. - No, no. It's good.
I mean, I'm fine. It's all right. I'm used to it.
- So should I tell the guys? - Yeah, tell them.
Simon said best of the day.
Yeah!
I'm coming for you, America!
Yeah!
Aw...
the testosterone level may be a little much at this point.
I think Boston needs to mellow out.
Meet Derek.
I'm a very spiritual kind of guy.
I always have been.
I started getting into music when I was really,
like, at my lowest peak in life, you know?
Wasn't sure what I wanted to do.
I just would go on long nature walks...
and I started gradu... gradua...
like, "gradutat" into music.
Last two years, I've been pushing and pushing,
working on my voice and my vocals so hard to make it.
And I'm here right now, trying to make it.
This show can change your life.
It's true.
If this happens to me and I make it to Hollywood,
I'll touch numerous amounts of people.
It's a return to innocence.
- Hey, guys. - Hi.
My name's Derek Hilton from Bellingham, Massachusetts.
Hi.
I'm going to be singing "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Words".
Just a minute.
We're saying hello, first of all, Derek.
Yeah, hi.
How's it going?
What's going down, baby?
Nothing. Nothing really.
So, Derek, it says here that you think
you sound like Chris Brown and the Eagles.
Are you a big Chris Brown fan?
Um, I just like how he touches young kids
all around this world, you know?
- Right. That's great. - It's beautiful.
What are you gonna sing?
"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Words" by Elton John.
Great. Off you go.
Okay, ready?
# what do I g... #
# what do I got to do to make #
# you love me? #
# what do I got to do to make #
# you care? #
# what do I do when lightning #
# strikes me #
# and I wake to find #
# that you're not there? #
# what do I got to do #
# to make you want me? #
# what do I got to do #
# to be heard? #
# what do I say #
# when it's all over #
# and sorry seems to be #
# the hardest words? #
# it's sad #
# so sad #
# why can't we talk it over? #
# oh, it seems to me #
# that sorry seems to be #
# the hardest word #
Thank you, Derek.
Uh, that was catchy.
Whoo.
Thanks to all the Dereks.
There was about 14.
I was gonna say you're like a group.
Multi-Derek.
Ugh. Lot of people you're channeling through there, Derek.
Who was the first voice?
Which one was that? The little small...
Who was that voice?
That was little Derek.
That was little Derek?
- I really think you have... - Can I just speak for everyone?
Yeah.
Complete and utter rubbish, Derek.
Uh, you don't sound like Chris Brown.
You don't sound like the Eagles, maybe an eagle.
Yeah.
But it was just like there were 20 of you in there,
um, and every one of them was horrible.
- That was the problem. - Okay.
Sorry, Derek.
All right, thanks.
He's not happy.
I did my best.
I hit really loud notes.
I did everything so well, I thought.
I know I'm amazing at what I do.
And it's too bad,
cause I could have touched America
in a totally different way.
And while we're glad we didn't experience Derek's touch...
plenty more Bostonians felt the agony of defeat.
We're gonna say no.
- I'm sorry. - Thank you.
I was just really nervous.
# what do I do when #
# lightning strikes me? #
It's okay. It's okay.
Honestly, I didn't love it.
Got to say no.
Aw.
You're my idol no matter what.
You're not gonna win this competition.
# what do I do to make you #
# want me? #
- Sorry. - It's all right, mama.
Don't cry.
# it's sad so sad #
# so sad #
# it's a sad sad #
Didn't get it, dog.
# situation #
# and it's getting more #
It's okay.
# and more absurd #
This meant everything to me.
I'm gonna have to say no, I'm afraid.
It's, like... It's okay.
Don't cry.
I don't want to cry on camera.
I really don't. Sorry.
Coming up...
last year it was Kara versus Bikini Girl.
Your demonstration wasn't any better.
Whoo!
Just hold on a minute.
But this year it's the guys' turn to push Kara to the brink.
I am now angry at you, who I don't like at all.
The showdown in Beantown after the break.
Welcome back to Boston,
where it's turned into a beautiful day.
But remember this morning?
Two inches of rain soaked the contestants.
And in a sea of umbrellas, not everyone was prepared.
Mere Doyle had a way of standing out...
in more ways than one.
I'm an otaku, which is another word for "anime freak".
Because of my enthusiasm into the Japanese animation,
I started working on designing kimonos, hand-making them.
# when you're big in Japan #
# tonight #
# big in Japan #
# be tight #
# big in Japan #
So a bit of a fashionista?
Something like that, yeah.
I think the top thing for me would be to
become a singer and be successful in Japan.
That would be really awesome for me.
I've been through hundreds of auditions.
I kid you not. Ask my mother.
She's been with me, supporting me all the way.
And I treat every audition as if
my life depended on it, because it does.
You warm? You ready?
- Feel loose? - I'm pumping up.
Go get them. Charge.
Take it. Door, in.
Good luck.
- How are you? - Hi.
Pleasure to meet you.
What are you singing, dog?
I chose Janis Joplin.
Okay.
All right.
# come on #
# take it #
# take another little piece #
# of my heart now, baby #
# break another little bit #
# of my heart #
# another #
# yeah yeah yeah yeah #
# have another little piece #
# of my heart now, baby #
# you know you've got it #
# if it makes you feel good #
- Well, that didn't. - Whoo!
- Okay. - You felt good.
- It does. - Yeah, let it all out.
- Yeah. - One of us had a good time.
- Okay, so, Simon... - Okay, bring it.
- Give it to me. - Uh, right.
It's been weird,
but the singing was just verging on...
terrible.
Yeah.
I promise you.
You can't really say that to me.
Huh?
I can after that audition, Mere.
I mean, it just...
I mean, with all due respect,
I don't know why everyone says that I'm good.
My voice coaches.
Not just my family...
everybody that's heard me, they say I'm...
- Voice coaches? - Families always say...
My voice coaches, theater directors.
How many voice coaches do you have?
I've had two in my life.
Wow.
This is not gonna work out.
I promise you.
Do the anime thing.
Singing is not your thing, man.
Well, she's not an animator.
She just likes animation.
Well, singing is my life.
You don't draw things, do you?
All I'm asking for is a chance.
I mean, I know...
- Voice of reality. - Yeah.
Like, telling me not to do what I love doing.
But, honey, there's certain limitations to what you want...
I would love to fly to the moon, but I can't.
Right?
Actually, I could, actually.
Do what you love, but not for this show.
Mere, I hate to tell you this, but, no, sweetie.
It's not gonna...
It's not gonna work for the show.
It's a no for this one,
because your voice is just not hot enough.
Mere, I promise you this is gonna be
the best news you've ever heard,
because somebody who actually knows
what they're talking about for once
is giving you some good advice.
- Yeah. - We'll see.
You can still have fun with it.
I promise you.
We'll see.
Okay, thank you.
Thanks for coming out, Mere.
Sorry, Mere. Thank you.
Oh, you just want to give her a hug.
Good try.
All right, it's okay.
Good job.
Come on. Come on.
They all said I was terrible.
Come on. Shh.
All right, come on.
14 years of training,
14 years of rehearsing...
I've been training myself practically to death
and working so hard, and they say I'm terrible,
that I should give up, that I'm better off as a clown.
How dare you?
Unfortunately, Mere's vocal training didn't pay off.
# gonna get higher #
What we need in Boston is people with raw, natural talent.
# pour me down hard #
# and drown me #
And that's exactly what we found
harmonizing in the holding room.
# tonight will be the night #
# that I will fall for you #
# over again #
# don't make me change #
# my mind #
# or I won't live #
# to see another day #
# I swear it's true #
# cause a girl like you #
# is impossible to find #
# you're impossible to find #
Thank you.
# close your eyes #
# and I'll kiss you #
# tomorrow I'll miss you #
# remember I'll always be true #
# and that while I'm away #
# I'll write home every day #
# and I'll send all my loving #
# to you #
You're through to the next round. Well done.
Welcome to Hollywood.
Thank you so much.
- I'm gonna say yes. - Yes!
- Yes! - Thank you so much.
Go, go, quick.
Oh, look at that!
It's Hollywood!
Yes! Whoo!
But this good fortune couldn't last forever.
It's now almost 6:00 p.m. in New England.
And as day one of auditions begins to wind down,
the crowds are quickly thinning out.
But not quickly enough for local musician Andrew Fenlan.
Do you think you have a chance?
Like, you could be the next American Idol?
Yeah, yeah, if I don't get interviewed all the time.
This is messing me up, seriously.
Okay, it wasn't his looming audition that was making him tense.
It was the waiting...
I'm starting to get the itch to want to get going.
And the waiting...
And the waiting.
It's grueling.
I just want to, you know,
cut this stuff, man, you know?
You single?
You married? You have kids?
Uh, no.
Yes. Single.
Yes.
Totally single.
You hear that, everybody?
- I'm single. - All right, well, I'm gonna send you in.
Anything else we should know?
No, not really.
- We got it all? Covered? - Oh, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, I'm ready.
Head on that way.
Oh, I'm in there?
That's where the judges are.
- Oh, I'm about to go? - Yeah.
- Right now? - Yeah.
- Whoa. - You want to wait?
No, no, no. I'm reared and ready, man.
I'm ready to go.
All right, well, rear and ready
right through there.
Yeah.
- Hello. - Hello.
- Hi. - How are you?
Come in. And what's your name?
My name's Andrew Fenlan.
Andrew. And why are you here, Andrew?
I'm here auditioning for American Idol.
Should be fairly obvious at this point.
I also like waiting around.
Okay.
I think you know why I was asking the question.
What brought you here to audition?
What brought me here to audition?
I don't think it's that interesting of a question,
actually, but I think...
Andrew, Andrew, Andrew.
I'm gonna just warn you now,
if you want to carry on being a smart-ass,
you can leave the room.
Oh, I'm not being a smart-ass.
So either answer the questions or leave.
Okay, no. I'll answer the questions.
I'm gonna answer your questions.
I'm sorry, first of all.
Okay, what are you gonna sing?
I'm gonna sing "House of the Rising Sun".
You know that song?
I'm just... Okay.
Andrew, you are really pushing this.
No, all right. I'm just gonna sing it.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push any buttons.
All right.
# there is #
# a house #
# in New Orleans #
# it's called the Rising Sun #
# and it's been the ruin #
# of many a poor boy #
# and god I know #
# I'm one #
# my mother was #
# a tailor #
# she sewed my new blue jeans #
# my father was #
# a gambling man #
# way down in New Orleans #
- Thank you. - Are you angry?
- Am I angry? - You seem very on edge.
Tell us what happened?
What happened?
Just I'm on edge from waiting all day.
- From what? - Just from waiting.
Well, you know, the thing is,
you want to be in the music business,
but you don't want to wait to get into American Idol.
That, to me, seems to be a problem.
That's a good point.
And for you to have a bad attitude
about that kind of pisses me off, actually.
I think you're reading it too far.
No, no, I'm not reading it too far,
because you just told me that you were a little bit annoyed
that you had to wait three hours to come in here
and get your shot when there are people
that would wait years to do so.
So I am now angry at you, who I don't like at all.
Well, why are you doing this?
So why with all the attitude?
What's the problem?
No, there's no problem at all.
I think that...
I don't know why you guys...
There's no problem.
You walked in very sulky,
quite rude, very aggressive.
And you've got very, very bad energy.
Aw, man.
You do.
Let's have a little conversation about this.
I want to...
I was trying to seem confident.
Confident?
It came over the other way.
Very arrogant is how it came out, and you know what?
You don't have the goods to back it up.
That's what I think is disappointing.
Well, I don't agree with you.
I think I do have the goods to back it up.
I'm still getting that attitude.
Kara, yes or no?
Andrew, no, I'm sorry.
- Victoria? - No.
- Randy? - Wasn't good enough today, dog, no.
I would have said yes.
- You're kidding me. - What?
- He started to grow on me. - You're kidding.
- He's starting to grow on you? - You know what?
I had a feeling. I had a feeling that you and I...
Yeah, we started off bad,
But we kind of got to like each other along the way.
You know what, Simon?
You have an attitude, but you're at least charming.
- No, but... Kara. - Wait a minute.
You're being really vicious here, seriously.
I'm sorry. I really don't like you.
I have a very strong reaction to you.
I don't know why.
But I'm not judging you in this way,
but then again, I'm not a judge.
I just don't like your attitude.
This is why we're getting on well here, Andrew.
Quiet, you on the end there.
You're being awful.
Right, Victoria?
You need a spanking.
- That's what you need. - A spanking?
What are we talking about?
He needs a spanking.
You've been very naughty.
Kara, yes or no?
- Shut up, Simon. - This is not good.
Turning women off is not a good thing.
I don't know how I turned 'em off.
God, did you ever have a girlfriend?
Well, Andrew, live and learn from this one.
Simon, shut up!
Well, I like you guys.
You guys are cool.
- Thank you. - See you later, ladies.
Bye.
We won't miss you.
# hit the road, Jack #
# don't you come back #
# no more no more no more #
# no more #
# hit the road, Jack #
# don't you come back no more #
- Oh, hey. - Hey.
Well, Simon and Randy liked me.
The girls got mad.
I don't know what I did.
He really made me upset.
I'm not kidding you.
Well, that didn't show.
I think he liked you, Kara.
Kara.
You connected with Kara in a way
I've not seen in a long time.
- What the hell happened? - I don't know.
- I was gonna ask you. - I don't even know.
And we thought bikini girl
Left Kara with a bad taste in her mouth.
I feel like I need to go home and take a shower after him.
Hideously arrogant, even more arrogant than Simon.
After the break, day one ends on a high note.
This is gonna be one of those auditions I will remember.
I love you.
I think you're great.
And later, stories that will touch your heart.
Seven years ago, I got cancer.
It's a very interesting and humbling experience.
I'm really close with my grandmother.
She has alzheimer's.
She was diagnosed about a year ago.
But it's their voices that will truly inspire.
Wow.
Welcome back to Boston...
Home to some of the most elite music conservatories in the world.
I'm a student at the Berklee College of Music.
I'm a songwriting major.
I went to school for musical theater.
I majored in songwriting,
so I have a degree in that.
Whoo.
And I'm a musical theater major, which is awesome, great.
So we knew in coming here this season,
We were bound to find voices that were carefully crafted
And trained to stand out from the crowd.
Mission accomplished.
# now that your rose #
# is in bloom #
# the light hits the gloom #
# on the gray #
# I said freedom #
# freedom run #
# away #
Wow.
Here's to hoping Berklee student Ashley Rodriguez
Takes a more subtle approach.
I really want this.
This has been my dream since I was little.
I think that every time I get up to sing,
it comes from a special place,
so I hope that they see that as well and send me to Hollywood.
Okay, Ashley, what are you gonna sing?
If I ain't got you, Alicia Keys.
Great.
# some people want it all #
# I don't want nothing at all #
# if it ain't you, baby #
# if I ain't got you, baby #
# some people want #
# diamond rings #
# some just want everything #
# everything means nothing #
# if I ain't got you #
# you you yeah #
Thank you, Ashley.
I love you.
I think you're great.
I love your look.
That's a very difficult song to sing.
Very difficult.
And I think you still brought your own personality to it.
And really, you have the kind of look and voice
that could be very commercial,
and I think you'd do very well in this competition.
I'd like to see you go to Hollywood.
- Victoria? - Yeah, I think you're great.
I mean, you look fantastic.
You're one of my favorites that I've seen.
- You're very sultry. - Thank you.
- Thank you. - Yeah, sultry.
- That's good. - You know what?
I think so too. You're my favorite today, 100%.
- Simon, what did you think? - Thank you.
I thought that was a very, very good audition.
Some people have got it, and I think you may have it.
Yeah. Let's take a vote.
Ah£¬Simon?
100% yes, Ashley.
Thank you.
Two-million-thousand-five-bazillion-trillion-percent yes.
Ow! Thanks.
Definitely yes, and I love the way you're dressed.
You are naturally beautiful and very talented.
Thank you. Thanks.
I think you've got a good shot this year.
You're going to Hollywood.
Yo, you're going to Hollywood, girl!
Ashley's in the house.
That was very well done.
Ashley, work it out.
Party, man. Party.
Very well done.
She was great.
Oh, I'm excited.
I'm so excited.
My audition went really well.
You seem surprised.
You shouldn't be so surprised by that.
Now that's the par, then everyone else should go home.
But there's still maybe one more contestant whom Kara could fall for.
Meet Tyler Grady.
A few months ago, I was climbing a tree,
and I fell out, and I shattered both my wrists.
They took a slit up each of my arms,
and they put in titanium plates on the radius.
There are probably about four screws in each one.
I mean, this was a serious fall.
I'm a drummer,
so that's like the worst thing that can happen to you.
Dude.
My dream has been to be a front man.
I love drums, but really my passion is singing.
And I've seen so many careers jump-started from American Idol,
- so I figured, "why not?" - Good luck.
Thank you, sir.
Is this 1961?
'70s. '70s.
Probably '71, yeah.
Nice jeans.
What happened to your arms?
I fell out of a tree.
What were you doing in the tree?
Well, I've always liked climbing trees
ever since I was young.
Did you have binoculars around your neck?
No, sir. No, sir.
- What are you gonna sing? - Let's get it on.
Great.
# I've been really trying #
# baby #
# trying to hold back #
# this feeling for so long #
# yeah #
# and if you feel #
# like I feel, baby #
# then come on #
# oh, come on #
# hoo #
# let's get it on #
# sugar #
# let's get it on #
Thank you.
If I didn't know better,
I think the girls maybe wanted you
to continue for a couple of hours.
Yeah, I love the jeans, the shirt, the song, the hair.
The stance... The Jim Morrison.
I loved it.
I think you are fantastic.
Thank you very much.
You are just cool.
I think that the girls like you.
I like you.
I love the whole look.
- It's just great. - Thank you.
Very, very cool.
Yeah, what do you guys think?
I... I liked it.
Well, I don't know if we're even here.
- Simon, are we even here? - No.
Actually, I liked Tyler.
I thought Tyler was very good.
I liked the whole Morrison stance with the hand out.
All right. Thank you, Randy.
You have good taste as well.
And, you know, the important thing is, Tyler,
is that you got to know who you are,
and I think you've got to do an audition you're gonna remember.
And this is gonna be one of those auditions
that I will remember.
I really appreciate that. Thank you.
Tyler made it pop. He made it pop.
Okay, Tyler, we're gonna vote.
- Yes for me. - Yes for me.
You made it pop, pop.
100% for me.
Tyler, you rock, and you're going to Hollywood.
- Thank you so much. - Welcome to Hollywood, Tyler!
You won't regret it.
Whoo! Well done, guys.
So cool.
I'm going to Hollywood, baby!
This is amazing.
I actually got four yeses.
I would have totally lost money
that Simon would have given me a yes.
I mean, there was no way
that he was giving me a yes, but he did.
That actually in itself has got me completely ecstatic.
See you in Hollywood, America!
So Tyler's earned a one-way ticket to Hollywood.
And at the end of day one,
17 others are along for the ride.
Welcome to Hollywood!
You're going to Hollywood.
- Four yeses. - Welcome to Hollywood.
You're going to Hollywood.
Welcome to Hollywood, Zulia.
Going to Hollywood, baby!
Mom, she's through.
See you in Hollywood!
America, I'm going to Hollywood, whoo!
Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood.
I'm going to Hollywood!
When we return...
I'm the next American Idol!
Day two in Boston begins.
Will it be smooth sailing?
Hi, guys!
The city has the swagger.
I feel like I'm better than most of these people
that are on the show.
Does it have the voice?
Plus, a 16-year-old
you'll have to hear to believe.
To be able to sing like that is pretty amazing.
Welcome back. It's day two in Boston.
And as Kara and Victoria arrive on location, surprise,
surprise... Randy and Simon are running late.
Hello.
At least they have an excuse for sleeping in.
Simon went looking for the tea party,
just trying to really figure out what really went on.
"what really went on."
Yeah, we don't believe history.
What went on... They didn't like us, and they threw us out.
Yes, but what really was behind that.
Good question, Randy.
Let's brush up on our history.
1620... The Mayflower lands at Plymouth Rock.
1760... Colonies are ruled by
tyrant King George III of England.
1770... British troops shoot down
five Bostonians in the Boston massacre.
1773... Tea plus ship plus angry colonists
equals Boston Tea Party.
1775... The American revolution begins, which we won!
And now all Americans can enjoy the right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of superstardom.
- Boston loves you. - Now.
It took them 200 years.
- Oh, my... - See you later.
I'll see you later.
Let's hope Simon doesn't seek revenge
on our first contestant, Lisa Olivero.
I'm 24 years old.
I'm from Billerica, Massachusetts, and I'm a waitress.
All right, here's the broccoli.
When it's slow, like, we'll sit there and we'll sing songs,
dance around, make jokes.
She loves it.
This is what we do all day.
Singing is a spiritual experience.
The way I feel just lets me just express myself.
And what kind of singing background do you have?
I don't really have a singing background.
I taught myself how to sing.
I sing to a lot of Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey.
If I can do this, man, my life would be music,
And that's what I want.
This is my chance to stop waiting on guests
And have people waiting on me.
I don't want to sound like a diva, but, hey, why not?
Take it all in.
- Hello. - Simon's gonna like you.
How are you?
Very well.
My name's Lisa Olivero, by the way.
And why haven't you auditioned for the show before, Lisa?
I've never done it before,
and I always watched the show,
and I'm always like, "why am I not on the show?
I'm better than most of these people that are on the show."
So...
Okay, Lisa.
Well, look, good luck.
What are you gonna sing?
Gonna sing Vision of Love, Mariah Carey.
- Okay? - Good.
All right.
# prayed through the nights #
# felt so alone #
# suffered from alienation #
# oh, carried the weight #
# on my own #
# I had a vision of love #
# and it was all #
# that you'd given me #
# I realize #
# the dream #
# mm-hmm #
# and I visualize #
# the love that gave to me #
# you treated me kind #
# yeah #
# sweet destiny #
# and you know that you did #
All right, thank you very much.
We had enough. Randy?
Lisa, you're a nice girl, you're a beautiful girl.
- But it wasn't good. - No?
It was terrible.
Yeah?
Lisa, honey, those high notes...
Not good, babe.
You got to practice more.
Rough seas.
Really got to practice.
I genuinely believed when you walked in
and you looked me in the eye, I thought,
"we may have a great singer here".
And then you started singing, Lisa.
I mean, literally, it was probably the craziest version
of Mariah Carey I've ever heard.
- Oh, yeah? - Yes, sweetheart.
It's a no. Honestly, I couldn't sit through that again, babe.
Well...
But that's it for now, sweetheart.
All right, thank you.
- Thanks, sweetie. - See you later.
- She has an amazing body. - What?
Unbelievable.
On second thought...
The day's just begun,
and already things are going bottoms up.
# I went down down down #
# and the flames went higher #
# and it burns burns burns #
# the ring of fire here #
# the ring of fire #
It's an absolute, unequivocal no.
Sorry.
But it's not just the singing.
Understanding the people of Boston
is sending our brit over the edge.
Why did you decide to come here today?
What was the dream?
What's the motivation?
Actually, it was my friends.
They were like, "you should sing."
Yeah, okay.
Can't get anywhere with this.
So when I was 15,
I started playing guitar and writing my own songs.
Short answer.
I'm not a normal person, and...
Shouldn't have asked this question.
Basically, I wanted to show you how I feel on the inside,
- that I feel like I am... - That's fascinating.
Okay.
He is actually a "fiafighta".
- A firefighter? - "Fiafighta".
A firefighter or fight fighter?
A "fiafighta"£¬ "fiafighta".
This obviously isn't doing anything
for British/American relations.
I can't do this.
Boston, day two... No golden tickets,
no one off to Hollywood.
Is that gonna change?
Maybe Mike Davis can perk up Simon
and be the first one off to Hollywood.
- So you're Mike. - I am Mike.
All right. Are you our next American Idol?
I am your next American Idol.
I like that answer.
And what do you do, Mike?
I'm an actor on a speedboat, actually...
That boat you'll see right behind you,
coming in to the water.
Oh, the red one?
- Yeah. - And what's it called?
- That's Codzilla. - Codzilla.
I have the best job in the world.
We go out there, and the boat does 360 spins,
And it goes, like, 50 miles per hour on the water.
It's pretty awesome, pretty cool.
# well, I love #
# that dirty water #
# Boston, you're my home #
Dude, we should go on a ride.
It sounds like a bla.
It is. It's a good time.
Yes.
I want to go. Take us on it.
I will.
What time's the last trip?
That'd be sick.
- What are you gonna sing? - Yesterday by the Beatles.
Okay, thank you.
# yesterday #
# all my troubles #
# seemed so far away #
# now it looks as though #
# they're here to stay #
# oh, I believe in yesterday #
# why she had to go I don't know #
# she wouldn't say #
# I said something wrong #
# now I long for yesterday #
Thank you, Mike.
You're a confident young man, aren't you?
I'm very confident, yes.
But without being obnoxious.
- Yes. - You're a great guy.
You're a guy I'd like to hang out with.
You know, you'd be a fun person.
On Codzilla.
When you stood up there, it was... It was touching.
I really like you. You're a good guy.
Oh, Kara, he wasn't... He was just...
No, it was, Simon.
Do you want to go out?
Do you want to go get some steak some time?
Yesterday.
I just felt...
Yesterday he was...
He's inviting you out.
He said you guys should go get some steaks.
I like that you're emotional,
and that song was connected.
Okay, Randy, yes or no?
Maybe just you and Simon on the boat.
All right, I'm gonna take a break.
Yeah.
I'm gonna say yes.
What are you gonna say?
Uh...
- I'm gonna say no. - No?
I didn't think your voice was that good.
What?
I'm gonna leave this in the hands of the girls.
Girls, take it away.
Work it out. Figure it out.
Why are you so nervous about this?
Because it's so important to him.
He just wants this so bad.
He's an awesome, awesome kid.
Have some fun with him.
Not to add to your lack of breathing,
But we've had nobody get through yet today.
- Oh, thanks. - I know.
It's been a tough day.
Until now!
# more than a feeling #
# when I hear that old song #
# they used to play #
# more than a feeling #
# I begin dreaming #
# more than a feeling #
Aw, come on.
Those better be happy tears.
- I'm really happy. - All right.
- Sweet. - First of the day, bro.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Well, it all worked out.
Relax, breathe.
Go celebrate.
Tell the folks on the boat...
I am pretty sure I got a date with Kara too, so...
Well, we should talk.
Let me give you a little background.
All right, let's go over here.
I'm going to Hollywood!
One ticket so far in Boston.
Will we get more?
Judges are on a break.
We'll take one too and come back right after this.
Coming up, Simon turns on Boston...
You sing like a three-year-old girl,
dress like Latoya Jackson.
The whole thing was just too weird.
Boston turns on Simon...
Simon, shut up!
And astonishing talent like we've never heard before.
You really are the best we've seen.
It's 1:00 p.m. In Massachusetts,
And the day two auditions continue on.
Up next, 16-year-old Katie Stevens.
So tell me about yourself.
Where are you from?
I'm from Middlebury, Connecticut.
It's a really small town.
I grew up in a big Portuguese family.
We all hang out together,
but I'm really close with my grandmother.
She's been with me through everything.
She doesn't speak English.
She taught me and the rest of my family how to speak Portuguese,
so we're all fluent in Portuguese.
She has alzheimer's.
She was diagnosed about a year ago.
It's pretty tough to see someone that was so strong and...
And take care of everybody and now needing to get cared for.
She's very emotional with Katie,
and she loves to hear her sing.
And anything positive that they can experience is great for her.
# between the lines #
She's probably not gonna remember me for much longer,
So I want her to see me succeed
in my dream before she forgets who I am.
I really want to come home to her with good news,
Because I know she's not gonna be here for much longer,
so it's just... It's hard.
# at last #
# my love has come along #
# my lonely days are over #
# and life is like a song #
# oh, yeah #
# at last #
# the skies above are blue #
# my heart was wrapped up #
# in clover #
# the night I looked at you #
# I found a dream #
# that I can speak to #
# a dream that I can #
# call my own #
# I found a thrill... #
Okay.
What did you think, Simon?
That's a very difficult song to sing.
I thought you sang it quite well.
- Thank you. - Randy, yes or no?
Uh, I'm gonna say yes.
I like Katie.
I think you got good natural talent.
- Good, Kara? - Thank you.
Katie, you have something that just is either there or not.
For 16, to be able to sing like that is pretty amazing.
- Very good audition. - Victoria?
I'm gonna say yes.
I think you have a really nice stage presence, which I like.
- You look happy. - I am happy.
Katie, I'm gonna send you through to the next round.
Welcome to Hollywood, Katie!
Thank you!
I thought she was good.
# I think I'm moving #
# but I go nowhere #
# yeah, I know that everyone #
# gets scared #
# but I've become #
# what I can't be #
Now, you should... Can you call your grandmother?
- Yeah. - You should call her.
She's crying.
Did you tell her?
- What's she saying? - She's crying right now.
"I'm so happy."
Congratulations.
You got me crying.
You got... You got tears in my eyes now.
At only 16, Katie Stevens is one step closer
to becoming the next American Idol.
And like Katie, every year young people
from all over the country come to fulfill their dreams.
Oh, my god, 16 years old, and I get to do this,
Are you kidding me?
I've been waiting to come here for years.
Are you serious?
Yeah.
But for Joshua Blaylock,
it's the other end of the spectrum.
He's 28, with one last shot.
# every long lost dream #
# led me to where you are #
# others who broke my heart #
# they were like #
# northern stars #
# pointing me on my way #
# into your loving arms #
# this much I know is true #
# that god blessed #
# the broken road #
# that led me straight to you #
- Thank you. - Okay.
I think you have a nice little voice.
- Thanks. - A nice little voice there.
Thank you. Yeah, what do you think, Simon?
I think that voice would've been great if you were 14.
Oh.
In other words, it would've then matched your age.
Your age, 28... No presence, no power, no originality.
And unfortunately, Joshua, forgettable.
- Oh. - Were you maybe playing it a little bit safe?
Maybe, I mean, I've been...
I've been told that I'm a little too nice and need to...
I need to be more assertive.
I need to...
Try and be assertive now.
Great to see you guys.
I'm ready, let's go.
Let's do it.
No, try this, try this.
This will help you.
Simon, shut up.
Simon... Simon...
Shut up, please.
No, Simon, shut up!
See, come on. Come on.
Simon, shut up!
- Yes. - Come on.
- Don't overdo it. - Aw, he can't do it.
He's so sweet.
You're very likable, I'm gonna give you that.
I think people will like you.
I can see him in,
like, a new group that sings, like,
Spandau Ballet kind of music.
Oh, no, come on!
I love that band! Come on.
I know... I know I can do...
Be assertive, tell him he's wrong.
Come on, Randy, man, I know I can do this.
- I know I can... - Tell him he's wrong.
More, angrier.
- Randy! - Yes?
I swear, I will make you proud.
I will convince you I will be...
Now you're smiling when you say it.
Simon, what are you doing?
- He's so nice. - You're so sweet.
You're torturing this guy, man.
I'm trying to help him.
You know what?
Just on his loveliness, I'm gonna say yes.
Thank you. Thank you so much, Kara.
- You're lovely. - And I'm gonna say yes.
- Randy... Randy, man. - It's good to be polite.
Just let me prove it to you.
- Let me prove it to you. - Joshua, Joshua.
I'm gonna help you out here.
- It's a yes. - Whoo!
Yeah?
Joshua, believe it or not,
you got four yeses! That's a yes.
You're going to Hollywood, Joshua!
Whoo, last year Joshua!
Serve Hollywood.
I promise, I will not let you guys down.
Tell us you're gonna be great.
I'm gonna be great, and I'm not gonna let you down.
Better than that.
I am great.
I am somebody.
I am the idol.
I am the American Idol.
Yes.
I am somebody.
Ain't nobody gonna beat my "a."
That's right.
Ain't nobody gonna beat my "a."
- Yep. - That was a little weird,
but... Okay, anyway, listen, welcome to Hollywood.
Thank you so much, guys.
We'll see if Joshua brings his new attitude to Hollywood.
Nice little boy.
He's really 28?
- I know. - God!
When we come back...
An inspirational story of courage.
The moment that I found out
that I had cancer was such a shock...
You feel alone, but you're not.
And will dreams become a reality for this New Yorker?
I always felt like maybe I wasn't doing the right thing
by trying to pursue my music career.
This is my chance.
Randy, yes or no?
Um...
It's midafternoon in Boston.
This is what you don't get a chance to see,
the behind-the-scenes action.
When you're watching on TV,
you can't see all the cameras and the sound people.
It's no wonder when a contestant walks in,
they face those judges, and they sometimes freeze up.
# I... #
Um, shoot.
Um... okay.
# when I grow up #
# I don't know the rest #
And there's those we wish had never
started in the first place.
# well, I caught my wife #
# with another man #
# and it cost me 99 #
# in a prison farm on Georgia #
# close to the Florida line #
# all by myself #
# don't wanna be #
# all by myself #
# anymore #
# hard to be sure #
# sometimes it's hard #
Beautiful.
But Boston was taking it in stride.
- No deal. - What'd you learn?
Um...
No big deal, it was a fun experience.
I gave it my best.
Not this time, guys.
It's all right.
It's not a profession to me.
I drive a... dump truck, so...
That's what I'll continue to do.
It's nice to see that even in their disappointment,
They can still have a positive outlook.
There's always next year.
No one knows more about that than justin williams.
Seven years ago, you got some tough news.
Seven years ago, I did.
What happened when you were 20?
I was serving a mission in Spain, and I got cancer.
So flew back home, went through multiple surgeries
And about six months of chemotherapy.
It's a very interesting and humbling experience.
You feel alone, but you're not.
- You recovered fine, right? - It's real.
It's real, it's back, and you're cancer-free?
- I am cancer-free. - Cool.
Well, good luck.
Hey, thank you, brother.
Nice to see you, buddy.
All right, you too.
If I was to make it through today,
it would mean everything to me.
It would prove to myself
that I did it and that I didn't give up.
# birds flying high #
# you know how I feel #
# sun in the sky #
# you know how I feel #
# breeze #
# drifting on by #
# you know how I feel #
# it's a new dawn #
# it's a new day #
# it's a new life #
# for me #
# and I'm feelin' #
# good #
Thank you.
Randy?
Justin, actually I kind of liked that.
Is that the kind of singer you want to be, like Buble?
Uh, yeah.
Kind of the alternative pop,
soul...
Kind of crooner.
- Yeah. - Sort of a throwback.
- Yeah. - Victoria?
I think you have a nice voice.
I think the girls are gonna like you.
You have a nice face and a nice presence, nice smile.
- I liked you. - Thank you.
- Kara? - I'm gonna remember you.
You know, I am gonna remember you.
Okay, Randy, yes or no?
I'd say yes.
Kara?
I'm gonna say yes too.
- Victoria? - I'm gonna say yes too.
It's a yes for me as well.
Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
Welcome to Hollywood!
All right. Yeah!
Hollywood, baby!
I think the girls kind of liked him.
He has a really nice aura.
He had a little bit more confidence.
Justin's beaten the odds and earned a trip to Hollywood.
Coming up...
Posh gets spicy...
Why do you do that?
Do what?
That thing where you roll your eyes.
And high praise for our stellar talent here in Boston.
Nice.
Nice vibes.
I think that you need to know that you really are good.
We're back in Boston...
Where our guest judge, Victoria beckham,
Has been a lovely addition to the panel.
She's sweet...
I always think it's nice to say something positive.
Compassionate...
I think that you're probably perfect working in retail.
Encouraging.
I think you have a really nice attitude.
You've got a really great face.
She sees the good in everyone.
Wow.
What an interesting look.
What you singing?
I'm singing Every Time We Touch by Cascada.
- Wow, okay. - Ready?
Okay.
# I still feel your touch #
# when you sleep next to me #
# I still feel your kiss #
# on my lips #
# the good and the bad times #
# we've been through them all #
# you make me rise when I fall #
# 'cause every time we touch #
# I get this feeling #
# and every time we touch #
# I reach the skies #
I'm kind of nervous.
Oh, my... I'm feeling a little...
- It's okay. - It's okay.
Take your time, man, you know.
You guys are awesome.
You look amazing, by the way.
Thank you.
- Should I try again or...? - Sure.
- Yeah. - Okay.
# 'cause every time we touch #
# I get this feeling #
# and every time we... #
I'm so nervous, I forget the lyrics.
But I have this down pat.
I used to do that all the time.
- You did? - Yeah, forget what I'm singing,
when you get really into something sometimes,
and you can see that you're really into that song.
I am. I'm so excited to be here.
I'm gonna be the next American Idol.
I want to inspire people like Michael Jackson inspired me...
No, you're not.
You're not.
The whole thing...
Even the fact that you were singing like
that with a beard made it even more strange.
What?
You know what I mean.
You know, you sing like a three-year-old girl,
Dress like Latoya Jackson.
You've got a beard.
The whole thing was just too weird.
Look, but it's gonna have to be a no, I'm sorry.
V?
No, I'm sorry, sweetheart.
- Okay. - Sorry, norberto.
Thank you, though.
Norberto, thanks, dog. Good looking out, man.
It's that way.
Sort of like Janet.
It's Janet with a beard.
Janet?
So Norberto's idol dream is over.
But back in the holding room, we met Bosa,
whose family is more focused on the American dream.
Well, my mom and dad are both from Nigeria.
And they came here, and they met in the states
while they were attending school.
They got married, and they had us.
I've got six sisters, one brother,
And it's a real big, happy family.
We're proud of Bosa,
and we're proud of the children.
My mom and my dad...
they had always wanted to pursue music.
And finally they saw the opportunity in me.
Now, the only thing I'm thinking is
if you do get the golden ticket
and you do make it to Hollywood
and you do come to the live shows,
the people behind you are not gonna be able to see.
Bosa's mom is in front of me again!
I can't see my boy!
When I see the judges,
I want them to see the shining light
and the music and the soul that I have to offer.
# oh, how you sparkle #
# and, oh, how you shine #
# the blush on your cheeks #
# is more than the wine #
# and he must do something #
# that I didn't do #
# whatever he's doing #
# it looks good on you #
# you look so good in love #
# you want him #
# it's easy to see #
All right.
Simon, what do you think of Bosa?
Uh, good but boring.
I can spice it up a little bit if you'd like.
Well, it was your...
Your audition, Bosa.
But that... You know, I just found it,
Yeah, very, very dull.
See, I didn't find you boring at all.
I felt that very... Why do you do that?
I'm just... I didn't find him boring.
Did you find him boring?
Not boring. Boring's not the word.
I thought that was very heartfelt, it was very...
Do what?
That thing where you roll your eyes.
You've noticed that, huh?
It takes so much nerve to stand there and do that.
And I thought you were very good.
Let's take a vote here.
Simon, Bosa, yes or no?
I'm gonna say no.
I'm gonna say yes.
"v" says yes. Kara?
I think based on the voice,
although I do believe that you do need to
get some more star power, I would have to say yes.
Got one no, two yeses.
Takes three votes to get to Hollywood unless Simon breaks it.
I can...
Simon over there smiling at me.
Why are you smiling at me, man?
He's just all smiles.
He's a happy guy.
I'm ready to work,
and I want to do it.
I'm gonna give you one more shot.
Yes, welcome to Hollywood.
One more shot, dude.
You got a lot of work to do, man.
All right.
I'm ready to work.
Thank you for the opportunity.
All right, all right, Bosa.
Thank you.
# I would like to hold #
# my little hand #
# how we will run, we will #
# how we will crawl, we will #
# I would like to hold #
# my little hand #
# how we will run #
Thank you very much.
I feel so good.
God is good.
And I am grateful.
Thank you.
And we're happy to go to Hollywood.
More from Boston coming up after this.
Stay with us.
When we return,
what does this girl do to get this reaction from Randy?
The best I've seen here in Boston.
Boston brings it home after the break.
Welcome back to Boston.
It's 6:00 p.m., and auditions in New England are nearly over.
Over the past two days,
we've seen some touching stories
and heard some amazing talent.
Some people have got it,
and I think you may have it.
You're going to Hollywood.
Yo, you're going to Hollywood.
Hoping there's one more golden ticket left
with her name on it is the last contestant, Leah Lorenti.
I'm 22, and I'm from Medford, New York.
Growing up in Long Island,
my parents were really strict,
so it was really difficult as a child,
'cause they were very protective over
what we were doing and who we were involved with
and who our friends were.
We went to church a lot,
which was basically, like, my entire life.
Couldn't really listen to secular music,
but music was always my way
of expressing myself in any situation,
and I felt that if something so good felt so natural,
then how could it have been, like, you know, bad?
I always felt like maybe I wasn't doing the right thing
by trying to pursue my music career, because I just...
I wanted it so bad. I didn't want to settle.
I want to show to myself and to my parents that,
you know, I'm capable of achieving my goal,
and my goal is to be a singer.
This is my chance.
Why are you here, Leah?
I'm here because I've been singing for my entire life,
and I've been trying very hard to be a singer.
I get, like, really sensitive about it
because it's so important to me and, like...
No, I understand.
- What are you gonna sing? - Blue skies.
Um, okay.
# blue skies #
# smiling at me #
# nothing but blue skies #
# do I see #
# hey #
# bluebirds #
# singing a song #
# as we go along #
# nothing but the bluebirds #
# and the blue skies #
# never saw the sun #
# shining so bright #
# never saw things #
# going so right #
# noticing the days just #
# hurrying by #
# when you're in love #
# my, my, how they fly #
# blue days #
# all of them gone #
# nothing but the blue skies #
# from now on #
Thanks, Leah.
Thank you very much.
Um, Randy?
Uh, I think one of the best I heard today, actually.
- I was very impressed. - Thank you.
Very nice control, very nice tone.
I like the whole little jazzy thing
that you got going on,
actually, so it's kind of cool for me.
- Very surprising. - Thank you very much.
I wasn't expecting that at all, actually.
You are a really good singer,
and you feel very emotional,
like you're on the brink.
And I think that you need to know
that you are really are good.
And Randy's right.
One of the best we've seen.
Thank you very much.
It was kind of effortless.
Randy, yes or no?
Uh, based on the voice,
one of the best I've seen here in Boston,
so I love it.
- Yes. - Thank you so much.
- Kara? - 100% yes.
Thank you, and I'm a big fan of yours.
Thank you. You need some confidence, honey.
- Victoria? - Yes.
- Thank you. - Leah, you got four yeses, sweetheart.
Welcome to Hollywood, Leah!
Oh, yes!
# think I'll start #
# a new life #
She's really good.
Sweet girl, really sweet.
Oh, my god!
Hello, dad?
I just wanted to let you know
that I'm going to Hollywood.
What?
- Are you proud of me? - Of course I am.
Along with Leah, 31 others will try to make a name
for themselves in Hollywood,
leaving Boston behind.
We're gonna vote. Randy?
- Yes. - Kara?
Yes. I think you got a good voice.
I'm gonna say no, Antoine.
Do you not care what I want to say?
You've got the deciding vote now.
Oh, okay.
Um...
Here is Antoine now after, with the results.
Yeah!
So that's good, right?
Yeah!
# no one knows my name #
# Boston #
We're going to Hollywood!
Tomorrow night, Idol is back in the ATL...
Welcome to Atlanta!
Where the talent is hot...
1 billion percent yes.
I love you.
And tempers run even hotter.
He jumped on me. You said...
I didn't jump on you.
I asked you what the song was called.
A small-town girl takes a big chance.
Today is the most important day of my life.
My future is on the line here.
And we have one audition you don't want to miss.
You know, I have a horrible feeling
that song could be a hit.
But can the dirty south clean up their act?
Tune in and find out.