Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Avril Lavigne, Simon Cowell - Michael Becker / FOX
American Idol season 9 made the trip to the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles in the search for the next big pop star last night. Something about the pace of the show seemed faster than usual this week. Maybe it was the fact that we were treated to two guest judges for one city, pop stars Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry, or maybe it was the focus being on talent rather than joke contestants. Whatever the case, we’re getting closer to Hollywood week and it feels damn good!
LA finally brought some real contenders for the Idol crown. It also brought one of the biggest “are we listening to the same person?” moments of the season. But, best of all, the guest judges rocked! Lavigne and Perry both fit nicely into the judge seat, offering up some water cooler chatter worthy moments of their own.
Let’s take a look at some of the promising — or not — contestants.
Neil Goldstein: Oh, Neil. You want to root for this 19-year-old — yes! 19! I don’t believe it either — but the vocals just aren’t there, dawg. The self-professed computer geek chose “Rock and Roll Dreams Come True” by Meatloaf to perform, but the poor guy forgot the lyrics and sweated profusely (or “like a maniac” says Avril) through the audition. The judges, minus Avril, tried to let him down easy, but Neil was stubborn. He refused to leave until Simon threatened to call security.
Jim Ranger: This nice guy might be signing up for the wrong business. Jim is a husband, a father of three, and a worship pastor. He did what many couldn’t: He impressed the judges singing an original song. He has a nice, homegrown country boy rasp in his voice, which the judges like. Hardass Avril served up a dose of reality by letting him know it’ll be tough to keep up with church and family while on the road. Avril says no, but the other judges pass him through.
Damien Lefavor: Damien is a total martial arts lover…and that’s where his love should stay. His rendition of “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” sounded constipated and dry. No love from the judges.
Mary Powers: Hail, Mary! We got a hot one tonight, baby! Mary went to audition with her BFF, her 8-year-old daughter, who is a complete and total Simon stan. MP chooses “Love Is A Battlefield” to perform. No battle here! Mary has a nice raspy tone, and superb control over her voice. Avril is totally blown away from the minute Mary starts singing. The judges adore her, and so do I! Simon’s only problem is her “cliche” rock look. That aside, she gets four very enthusiastic yeses.
A.J. Mendoza: Before A.J. gets a chance to sing, we’re treated to a montage of contestants who are inspired by season 8′s breakout star, Adam Lambert. A.J. definitely was. He walks in with the Adam haircut and tries his best to pull off Adam’s fierce fashions. He even claims Adam’s heard him sing and loves his voice. If he has, Adam was just being the sweetheart he is. A.J. sucks. Like, hard. Imagine Adam singing while being drowned in a bowl of soup. No Hollywood for him.
Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Katy Perry, Simon Cowell - Michael Becker / FOX
Day 2 in LA gives us that feisty pussycat, Katy Perry. Before she settled in she promised to be brutally honest, and called BS on the other judges arriving by helicopter. I’m excited already!
Austin Fullmer: Austin is dressed like some kinda metro-sexual version of Freddy Krueger. Too bad that’s where the goodness ends. He sounds like a dying sheep. Katy says he sounds like Iggy Pop. Randy and Kara says Mick Jagger. Yikes! Austin says singing is his purpose in life. Looks like he needs to find new purpose. The favorable-ish comparisons still result in nos across the board.
Andrew Garcia: You know we’re in for something good when we get a looong backstory and interviews with the family. Andrew has an adorable son he wants to give the world to. It would be a change from his childhood seeing his parents involved in gangs. After we get invested in his story, we’re wowed by his voice. His rendition of Maroon 5′s “Sunday Morning” was astonishing! His voice is pure and soulful, digging for the deep notes and swinging for the high notes so effortlessly. He’s like this year’s Danny Gokey, but less annoying — so far. Everyone love him — Katy says he gave her chills. Me too! Finally, we have a competition. Oh, yeah. He gets a golden ticket. Duh.
Tasha Layton: Tasha is a personal assistant by day, minister by night. She gives a nice performance of Joss Stone’s “Baby Baby Baby,” but that’s all it was, nice. Katy loves her “a good southern belle,” and the others eat it up, too. She gets a golden ticket — the first for a girl on day two.
Jason Greene: Hotness tends to follow Katy wherever she goes, so clearly the hottest contestant ever shows up on her watch. Jason is a permanently turned-on sex kitten with a knack for song choice. He sings the Divinyl’s “I Touch Myself” while writhing around on the floor, pointing his toes, and making eyes at Simon. Kara wants a piece, but Jason’s loins burn for Simon clearly. Katy says the sexually-charged performance made her feel dirty — yes, Katy Perry said this — and everyone says no. The good news is, says Jason, “I’ll see you next year.” I can’t wait!
Chris Golightly: Remember that “are we listening to the same person” moment I said was coming? Well, this is it. Chris has a sob story like no other. He was in foster care from the time he was 18 months til adulthood. He was shuffled between over 25 families in his life. He’s never had a place or family to call his own. I feel for him, but the problem is his rendition of “Stand By Me” was just OK. Kara and Randy are blown away. Kara says his story is one that others can relate to. Katy cuts in with a cold, but completely true “This isn’t a Lifetime movie here.” Simon and Katy are on the exact same page. It was good, but nothing special. They both give him a yes with a small y, while Kara and Randy given him big Y’d yeses.
Judging the guest judges
Avril was tons of fun during the short time we had her. She went her own way like the punk-RAWK rebel she is, and wasn’t afraid to crush dreams. Plus, she made good of her screen time and got some promo in for her Abbey Dawn clothing line, wearing a hoodie complete with devil horns. That’s toooootally punk-rock! B
Katy is the best yet. In fact, I’d love to see her come back for more. The other ladies who join the panel tend to form an alliance with Kara, but Katy was more like one of the boys. Whoa! Wait! That’s totally the title of Katy’s debut album. She saw this moment coming! Katy put Kara in her place when it was needed and offered up some real advice to contestants being coddled because of their sob stories. A+++
Andrew Garcia, I am in lovee with you!! he actually gave me chills.