Meanwhile, Lionel Richie is brought to tears by a blind contestant who belts out a powerful rendition of Andra Day's 'Rise Up'.
- Mar 7, 2019
AceShowbiz - More hopefuls performed their best before judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in hope to get a ticket to Hollywood in the Wednesday, March 6 episode of "American Idol". The episode kicked off with a round of auditions in Idaho.
The first singer was Courtney Penry, the "crazy chicken girl" who auditioned back in 2011. Hoping for a second chance, she belted out Chris Stapleton's "Parachute" to prove how much she had grown over the years. But the judges didn't think she was worthy enough, so they gave her another chance to showcase her talent. Singing Little Big Town's "Girl Crush", Courtney eventually got the golden ticket she was hoping for.
Recovering addict Logan Johnson was up next to perform before the judges, singing Demi Lovato's "Sober". Luke found him "incredible" and compared him to Justin Timberlake, while Katy gushed over his sweet voice. Unsurprisingly, he was sent to Hollywood.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Eddie Island tried to impress the judges with a rendition of his original song "Stay Okay". His performance instantly brought smile to the judges who gave him the ticket to Hollywood.
"American Idol" headed to Louisville next, with sweet addict Kason Lester trying to impress the judges with a rendition of Chris Janson's "Holdin' Her". All judges loved his performance, so he was off to Hollywood. Meanwhile, Karli Ryan was not so lucky. After she belted out her original song "Give Me Back My Heart", Katy and Lionel didn't think she was worthy enough to be sent to Hollywood and voted no.
After montage of performances that left the judges quite bored, Juan Pablo hoped to change it with Spanish song "Besame Mucho". Luke wasn't feeling his performance, but Katy and Lionel definitely did. Juan headed to Hollywood.
The judges were later made emotional by Virginia teenager Shayy, who is legally blind after doctors removed half of a tumor from her brain. Her powerful and inspirational rendition of Andra Day's "Rise Up" successfully brought Lionel to tears before he got out of his seat and gave her a hug. Shayy was unsurprisingly sent to Hollywood.
Army sergeant Landen Knowlton was up next, delivering beautiful performance of NeedtoBreathe's "Washed by the Water" after giving the judges a military training session. He got three "yes" from the judges.
Another lucky contestant was Ethan Payne, a 15-year-old who previously joined Luke on stage at one of his concerts and received his old guitars. Ethan played that guitar when he sang Luke's "Do I" for his audition, making the country singer join him on the floor for a duet. Ethan was off to Hollywood. Next to audition were newlyweds Kimberly and Bernie who sang Disney classic "So This Is Love". However, the judges didn't think their talent was enough and sent them home.
Last to perform before the judges was self-taught musician Alejandro Aranda. Even though he only started playing music for about four years, he successfully left all the judges speechless with a rendition of his original song "Out Loud". Lionel walked over to give him a hug, while Luke was so amassed by his talent that he said, "I don't even want to see anyone else." Katy even dubbed him the winner of the season and an absolute genius. Unsurprisingly, he headed to Hollywood.
"American Idol" will return on Sunday, March 10.
