Our weeks of auditions weren’t as long as in years past, but still, it’s hard to remember back three weeks ago to when these auditions first started. Who are we looking for on Tuesday? Who have we already seen that we hope makes it? Since I’m having a hard time remembering, I thought I’d make up a cheat sheet of the people we know made it through, and what we know about them so far.
Emily Wynne-Hughes, 21, Los Angeles. She had piercings and tattoos. She was bad at everything in school, so saw performing as her only choice. She’s a singer in an all girl rock ‘n roll band, and is ready to ditch them all if she makes it. She sang Barracuda, and Simon liked her because she was different, Paula thought she was top five, and Kara thought she was serious. Randy liked her dedication. There were articles in TMZ about her showing her butt and also working in the tattoo parlor where Britney Spears went right after she shaved her head.
J.B. Ahfua, 16, Taylorsville, Utah. He had a really pretty voice, but didn’t seem exciting enough, although the younger fans will like him. Simon liked his voice, but wants him to loosen up. All four voted yes, and he started crying outside the audition room saying it could change his family, as they’re really struggling.
Arianna Afsr, 16, San Diego. She started singing at 6 dong karaoke and has begun her own foundation, Adopt-A-Grandfriend, with teens that entertain at a senior ccenter. She sang Put Your Records On, and Simon thought she had a good voice with Paula agreeing and telling her she was stunning and that the song was right for her. Kara liked her and thought she was cute as a button. Randy liked the break in her voice with the falsetto.
Stevie Wright, 16, Phelan, California. She got her name from Stevie Nicks and wanted to be bubbly to show her personality. Oddly, she sang At Last, definitely not bubbly. Kara was saying wow at points, Paula thought she had nice control, and Simon wanted her to be more selfish. Randy thought she was born with it. Simon wanted to see her grow some teeth, and Paula saw Kelly Clarkson strength in her.
Jeremy Michael Sarver, 28, Jasper, Texas, a roughneck. He’s away from his wife and kids for seven days straight on the job, and this could make a difference for his family’s future. He sang Thank You with a country/R&B sound. When Randy closed his eyes, he though MIchael sounded good, but didn’t like his look. Kara agreed, as did Paula, while Simon recognized his likability.
Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell, 20, Chino Hills, California, a model. She loved Ryan and had already picked out their children’s names. She wanted to make out if she got picked. Simon called her smart for auditioining in a bikini, as she sang Vision of Love. Simon said yes, upsetting Kara, and Randy agreed with the Brit. Katrina and Kara got into a singing match. Katrina kissed Ryan out by a pool, then jumped in, with him going in after her.
Brianna Quijada, 22, Tempe, Arizaona, a college student. She danced while she was waiting and said “Oh my gosh!” when she walked in front of the judges. San sang Let’s Hear It For the Boy. Simon was sure her personality was what got her in there, and Kara noted that that wasn’t a bad thing. Brianna had also prepared to sing Band of Gold and Killing Me Softly, and Paula asked for some of the latter. She called Simon “Simie.” Randy and Kara voted no, and Paula and Simon voted yes.
Deanna Brown, Louisville, Kentucky. She sang Sitting On the Dock of the Bay. Randy and Kara liked her, with Kara noting she thinks she’d remember Deanna’s voice on the radio. Paula agreed and thougth she was beautiful with great presence. Simon wondered if she tried to get into the business before, and she said she did, but just didn’t step into the right opportunity. Ryan acted like her family when she came out and called her mom for her.
Cody Sheldon, 17, Detroit. He reminded me of Danny Noriega without the edge. He always loved music, because he likes to captivate people. One of his friends offered to be his crying girl in the audience. He enjoys making horror films. He sang Wonderful World, and Kara called it surprising, thinking his voice and look didn’t add up.
Alex Wagner Trugman, 19, Studio City, California. He had answered Abkhazia, Zimbabwe, and Canada to Simon’s question of what countries he thought he’d be popular in. He taught himself to sing in his closet, but got sick because of a lot of mold in there. He missed a Spanish test to audition and mentioned he’d get a B for nothing if he didn’t get through. He sang Baby Come to Me, asking Randy to sing along on the chorus. Randy and Paula thought it worked, but Simon disagreed, prompting Alex to offer to sing God Save the Queen. Randy likened him to Joe Cocker while Simon though possibly a Cocker Spaniel. Alex told him it would be a good joke if it made sense. He got three yeses and a no from Simon.
Scott MacIntyre, 23, Scottsdale, Arizona, a singer/songwriter. He was born almost completely blind. He grew up playing the piano classicaly, and doesn’t let his eyesight hold him back, as he also skis and ballroom dances. He wants to be an inspiration to other people. Kara was impressed he entered college at 14 and also studied in London. He sang And So I Goes. Simon called him cool, Paula liked his voice in the softer tones, and Kara thought he was courageous to sing without his instrument.
Ashley Anderson, 20, Clarksburg, New Jersey. She sang Footprints In the Sand, cowritten by Simon, yet called it by the wrong name. He joked it was the best song he’d heard the whole time. Kara told her she had some chops, and she got four yeses. Ashley admitted to Ryan she planned purposely to stack the deck by picking the song written by Simon.
K.C. Carlson, 20, Minneapolis, Minnesota, a bubble tea maker. She sang A Thousand Miles and seemed very Disney-esque. Simon liked her and Paula agreed. Kara saw the whole package. With four yeses, she made it through.
Von Smith, 22, Greenwood, Missouri. He admitted to having a strange range and that he attempts things most guys wouldn’t. He wasn’t afraid to be who he is and hoped they don’t pick him apart too much. He sang Over the Rainbow and blasted the song. Randy thought he definitely has a voice and can sing, and Simon agreed, betting his family loves it when he sings like that. Paula voted absolutely yes, and Kara thought he had a good instrument where he could take risks that others couldn’t.
Michael Castro, 20, Rockwell, Texas. Jason’s brother has punked out dyed red hair in the front, and his smile is all Castro. He thought he and Jason were different, because Jason is more girly with that emotional thing he does. Michael just started singing twenty days before his audition. He sang Love For the Girl. Paula admitted it wasn’t bad for just starting out, and Simon called it “goodish,” but admitted he’s never really sure with the Castros if they’re really into it or not. Kara liked that he was sort of a ballsy dude, because of the secret vibe about him. He got four yeses.
Matt Breitzke, 27, Bixby, Oklahoma, a welder. He’s always wanted to sing for a living, but once he became a family man, married with a son, he put all that on hiatus for a day job. His wife, a fan of the show, encouraged him to try out. He sang Ain’t No Sunshine, with a great blues riff to it. Randy thought he might be just a cool bar singer, but Kara disagreed, thinking he had natural talent. Paula agreed with Kara, liking the control of his vibrato. Simon liked his heart and ambition. Randy voted no, and everyone else voted yes.
Jessica Furney, 19, Wamego, Kansas. She called her hometown the capitol of Wizard of Oz. She lives with and takes care of her 93-year-old grandmother who told the camera she was taking her crazy pill. If there were anything she wanted in her life, it would be do music for a living. She sang Cry Baby with great power. Simon liked her and thought she stood out, and Randy thought she was a natural. It was a great birthday present for her that all four voted her through.
India Morrison, 22, Kansas City. She auditioned with her sister, Asia McCain. They both sang a rap song, an original called Cookie, that they dedicated to Randy. India was the second to sing indiidually. Simon liked her, and Kara liked both her and her sister. Oddly, Asia pointed out they weren’t twins, which was obvious. Asia cried for her sister after she got through, saying she just came to support her sister. Simon called her a nice lady, wanting a sister like that.
Jamar Rogers, 26, MIlwaukee, Wisconsin. He sang California Dreaming. Paula told him he could sing, but it got too loud and went off pitch. Kara thought it was a bit overdone, while Randy also thought it was over the top with the facial movements.
Danny Gokey, 28, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a church music teacher. He’s Jamar’s best friend. It was an emotional sacrifice to audition, as his wife had just passed away four weeks previous, and they used to perform together.The doctors told him there was nothing they could do for her. He told them to do whatever it would take and prayed. He wanted people to see who she was through him. He sang I Heard It Through the Grapevine. Paula liked him, saying she didn’t expect that out of him. Kara called herself a fan, thinking he had a lot of heart and soul. Simon really liked him as well, and Randy thought he was one of the best they had seen. He pounded fists with the judges, then told his wife it was for her.
Anoop Desai, 21, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He did his undergraduate thesis on southern culture, focusing on BBQ. He sang Thank You very soulfully, and was dressed in a button down shirt, khaki shorts, and sandals. Paula told him she didn’t expect that out of him, while Randy thought he had some crazy vocals. Simon thought it was a geeky look, like he just came out of a meeting with Bill Gates or something. Randy voted yes if they could hook him up with a wardrobe.
Asa Barnes, 28, Kansas City, Missouri, a band director at a middle school. He wants his students to have a good experience they’ll carry through the rest of their lives. He’s also a father, which he called the most important thing to him. He plays his drums while his little girl played on her own little drum set. He sang The Way You Make Me Feel. Simon liked him, but didn’t understand why he did a song like that. Asa told him he liked it. Paula told him when people sing Michael Jackson, it’s usually a disaster; that wasn’t.
Dennis Brigham, 19, Glen Carbon, Illinois. He had a dream about Simon where he called him the best they saw all day. He started with a backflip, then mentioned his dream. He sang With You. Simon said he was a bit crazy and didn’t get it, as Dennis launched into another song. Simon voted no, but the others yes.
Lil Rounds, 23, Memphis, Tennessee, a customer service rep. She has three children, and they’re trying to recover from the tornado that ripped up their apartment. She sang All I Do. Kara really liked her, and Paula loved the audition, thinking Lil has it going on, one of the best she’d heard. She wanted Lil to tell whoever told her to stop dreaming to go kiss her little behind. Simon thought she was fantastic and liked the retro classy think she had, calling her a singer’s singer. Randy thought she was a mixture of Fantasia and Mary J. Blige. Kara thought she was one of the best to walk through there.
Tatiana Del Toro, 23, San Juan, Puerto Rico. She saw a psychic before auditioning who said she’d make the top 12. She had a very annoying laugh. Simon thought the press picture of her was quite naughty. She sang Never Loved a Man, which Simon thought she shouldn’t have done. Kara commented about the outlandish dress she was wearing. Tatiana pleaded with her hands over her heart. Simon didn’t like she was trying to copy others, but Paula thought she’d color things up. Randy thought the problem was she wanted to be R&B.
Jésus Valenzula, 29, North Highlands, California, a fleet manager. He watches the show with his kids every year, and they wanted him to audition. He sang Nice & Slow. Simon told him it won’t work, and he won’t win. Kara and Paula didn’t think he had a bad voice. Jésus brought his kids in, and then sang Unchained Melody. Simon still said no, but the others now said yes.
John Twiford, 27, Sherman Oaks, California, a music teacher. He sang Overjoyed.
Allison Iraheta, 16, Los Angeles. She sang Natural Woman.
Raquel Houghton, 28, Los Angeles, a waitress and bartender. She sang Son of a Preacher Man.
Adam Lambert, 26, Hollywood. He’s currently on stage in Wicked, and has been singing since he was 10. His parents put him in musical theater because he was hyperactive. He sang Bohemian Rhapsody, changing the melody a little. Paula thought he was good and one of the most diverse. Simon called him theatrical, and Kara said if he’s good, they should put him through. Randy thought he was good and that it was probably time for someone like him. He admitted seeing Paula perform when he was 10.
Kai Kalama, 26, San Clemente, California. He plays music at night and takes care of his mom with a seizure disorder during the day. He’s not even dating anyone because of taking care of his mom, which makes it hard for her to know he makes so many sacrifices for her. He wants to make sure she’s always taken care of. He sang Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. Simon thought he had a good voice, but had the personality of a ship singer. Paula thought he could work on that, while Kara thought he was cute, but needed to stand out. Simon told him to watch him on American Idol to learn confidence.
Joanna Pacitti, 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother wanted her to go in and kick ass. Joanna moved to L.A. on her own at 16 and thinks it forced her to grow up really fast. She’s lost confidence lately. Kara recognized her as someone who was signed before to a record deal, leading to many fans getting upset by this. She sang We Belong. Kara liked her, and Randy encouraged her to jump out at them.
Brent Keith Smith, 28, Blanchester, Ohio, a traveling musician. He sang Can’t Get Enough. Paula was surprised he had it in him. Simon thought it was ridiculous, thinking he should have sang a more emotional song and thinking this was “busker-ish.” Kara and Simon got into a fight over him.
Matt Giraud, 23, Kalamazoo, Michigan, a dueling piano player. He started playing four years ago. He sang I Don’t Wanna Be. Paula liked his different tone, as did Kara. He reminded Simon of Elliott Yamin, but he didn’t think Matt believed in himself. Matt got four yeses.
Alexis Grace, 20, Memphis, Tennessee, a stay-at-home mom. Growing up for her was a lot of fun, as it included a lot of music. She had her little girl when she was 19, and she and the baby’s father want to get married, but he’s in military school right now. She sang Got to Feel Good. Paula wants to see her work on stage presence, and Simon thought she had a recognizable face. Kara liked her on voice alone and advised her to not wear pink. She wanted her to dirty herself, going home and making love to her fiance.
Kris Allen, 23, Conway Arkansas, a Business Major.
Felicia Barton, 26, Virginia Beach, Virginia, a bar singer/mom.
Ryan Johnson, 27, Cincinnati, Ohio, a railroad worker.
Shera Lawrence, 23, Bowling Green, Kentucky, an orthopedic office assistant.
Leneshe Young, 18, Cincinnati, Ohio, a college student. She was with her single mom who raised Leneshe and her siblings in and out of shelters. Her mom doesn’t even remember anymore what it’s like to not struggle. Leneshe was very confident walking in for her audition. She sang a song she wrote herself. Simon loved her, thinking the audition was quirky and fun. Paula loved her lyrics, and Randy thought it was hot. Kara thought she was cute and original.
Joshua Ulloa, 22, Beverly Hills, Florida, a tile layer. He compared himself looks-wise to Guarini, then sang Let’s Get It On, adding in sound effects. Randy giggled and enjoyed it. Simon told him that in parts it was good, but other parts it was corny and gimmicky, as he compared it to Inspector Gadget. Randy thought it was at least entertaining.
Sharon Wilbur, 25, Jacksonville, Florida, a non-profit administrator. She brought her Shih-tzu dog in with her, who spent the audition on Simon’s lap while Sharon sang Superstar. Kara thought she was doing Britney voice affectations, and Paula thought the dog was bored. Simon and Randy both said yes, as Kara and Paula pretended to make out, then said yes as well.
Julissa Veloz, 19, Orlando, Florida, a sales associate. A Miss Florida Latina USA, she wants to be the first Latin-American Idol. She was wearing a beauty queen sash that said Candidaia, candidate in Spanish. She sang I Have Nothing. Simon didn’t like it and her throaty laugh bugged him. Kara was on the edge of her seat, and Paula felt forgotten about at the four judge table. She and Julissa walked off together, making kissing noises backstage, and when they came back, Julissa had four yeses.
Jasmine Murray, 16, Starkville, Mississippi. Her sisters and mom came to the audition with her. She sang Big Girls Don’t Cry. Simon told her she was cute, commercial, and a very good singer, and Paula agreed. All four judges said yes.
Anne Marie Boskovich, 22, Nashville, Tennessee, a waitress/nanny. She was in awe to be sitting in front of Kara. She sang a little of one of Kara’s songs, and Simon told her he didn’t know what the problems was with her. Randy thought she had a great voice and natural talent, but didn’t see herself as a star. Simon told her to leave and come back as a different person. When she came back she was wearing different makeup and different shoes. She sang Bubbly. Randy thought she had a really good voice and that the whole thing was trying to get the star persona out.
T.K. Hash, 23, Concord, North Carolina, an administrator. He auditioned last year and didn’t make it. He sang Imagine, putting lots of interesting runs into it. Paula told him he could definitely sing and sounded even better this year. Randy agreed, but thought it may have been too over the top. Paula thought he was inspired by David Archuleta. All four voted him through.
David Osmond, 29, Provo, Utah. He’s the son of Alan, Donny and Marie’s older brother, and grew up watching footage of his famous family. His dad has MS now and admits that’s why he gave up the music business. It was heartbreaking as he started to cry, noting his son now has it as well. David is currently in remission and out of the wheelchair. He sang Something Within Me, and Paula mentioned being concerned he was singing a song by a group and not a solo artist. It was hard for Kara to tell with all the runs, and Simon told him being contemporary would be a mistake.
Frankie Jordan, 24, Hollywood, a stay-at-home mom. She wants to do the show now that she’s had her baby and told Randy it’s her true passion. She sang You Know I’m No Good, but seemed to copy Amy Winehouse too much. Simon thought she had a good voice and a cute face. Paula agreed about the voice, and everyone said yes.
Megan Corkrey, 23, Sandy, Utah, a font designer and mother. She recently decided to get a divorce. She cried a lot but her little boy helped her through it, helping her heal. The auditions coming up just after the divorce seemed like a crossroads in her life. She sang Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine. Randy thought there might be something there. Paula bordered on loving her. Simon called it one of his favorite auditions, because she was different. He knew he’d remember this one. Kara thought she had a glow about her and an incredible face.
Austin Sisneros, 17, Riverton, Utah, a senior class president. He wanted to audition to inspire people to follow they dreams. He sang When I Look to the Sky. Randy thought he was okay, and thought it a weird song choice. Austin then sang his other song choice, a song by Raffi. Simon called it the worst song so far, but Randy thought he did have a voice, just weird song choices. Kara thought he had a nice face, and Paula agreed. He got four yeses.
Taylor Vaifanua, 16, Hurricane, Utah. She and her family just moved back from Samoa. She’s 5′11 and called the guys in the U.S. really short, reminding Randy of Jordin Sparks. She sang Joyful, Joyful and impressed Kara, who also saw her practicing in the bathroom. Paula liked her tone, and Randy thought it was one of the best vocals he had heard this season. Everyone said yes.
Rose Flack, 17, Rathdrum, Idaho. Her dad died when she was 13, and her mom a few years later. She now lives with her best friend’s family. She wishes her parents were here to see her excel. She sang I Feel the Earth Move. Paula told her she had a beautiful face and a beautiful aura, but her vocals needed work. Simon didn’t think it was the best song choice, but admitted there was something about her he loved. Randy liked her cool vibe. She got four yeses.
Jorge Nuñez, 20, Carolina, Puerto Rico, a college student. He thinks he has what it takes because he sings with his heart and thinks he’ll rock America with his voice. He sang My Way. Paula asked how he sang in English, and he then sang What a Wonderful World. Kara liked his voice, but felt the Spanish song a little more, hearing pronunciation issues in the English version. Simon pointed out if they minded that, they should have gone to Omaha. Paula thought he had the power of Marc Anthony.
Melinda Camille, 21, Stratford, Connecticut, unemployed. She felt like she had a message for the rest of the world, as humanity is taking a shift right now. She wanted to uplift humanity to a place of love and positivity. She gets happy while dancing naked in her room. Simon wondered if her wanting to join a nudist colony was how she would give people happiness, then told her to imagine Randy naked. She sang Feeling Good. Randy liked the voice, but thought she fell of the melody a bit. Kara liked her, comparing her to a vitamin boost. She got four yeses.
Jackie Tohn, 27, Silver Lake, California. She started in the music business when she was little, as her dad played piano and she sang. He then told her to take up an instrument,, because a lot of people could sing, and gave her a guitar. She walked in with her guitar, but didn’t play it. She sang I’m Yours, and Simon asked to hear her normal singing voice. Paula liked that she was unpredictable and surprising. Randy liked her raspy tone, as did Kara. As Jackie asked for their advice, a large screen behind the judges fell down, and Simon told her to not ask who she should be.
Nick Mitchell, aka Norman Gentle, 27, Brookfield, Connecticut. He was dressed very flashy and Simon told him he hated comedy, so he discarded the glasses and headband, then launched into And I’m Telling You. Simon told him he promised not to make it funny, and he then told Simon he hurt him where you get kicked sometimes, which prompted Simon to mention he thought he would have liked it. Norman fought back with, “You mean the way you like it when Seacrest does it?” Simon told him that was funny. Norman then sang Amazing Grace and was good, then stood up and got nutty again. Paula and Kara loved him and begged Randy to say yes, and he did.
Ashley Hollister, 21, Hasbrouch Heights, New Jersey, a hair salon receptionist.
Kenny Hoffpauer, 16, Havertown, Pennsylvania.
Kendall Beard, 23, Austin, Texas, a college student.
Monique Garcia Torres, 16, San Juan. She brought her 9-year-old brother with her. He asked Paula where Simon was, then brought the judges a present, a shell that had broken. Simon took an immediate shine to him and asked if his sister was any Good. The brother thought they’d love her. She sang You Can’t Hurry Love and I Turn to You. Simon would have liked to hear her sing more in her range. Kara wished she had her brother’s confidence. Randy and Kara voted no, and Paula voted yes. After pouting at the brother, Simon put Monique through.
Patricia Lewis Roman, 20, Cacuas, Puerto Rico, a local singer. She brought her whole family with her, providing good memories, as this was where her parents were married. She sang I Wanna Love Somebody, and Simon didn’t think it was good enough, yet noted it was a hard song to sing. Kara knew she could sing and gave her thirty seconds of another song to change their minds, and she sang a Spanish song, getting her through, as her family gathered up their own band and celebrated through the building.
Photos courtesy of Fox
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We can rest assured now, as American Idol season three winner Fantasia Barrino has a place of her own again to rest her weary self. In debt “up to her eyeballs” according to a previous report for $58,000, she has worked a deal with Broward Energy Partners for the sum that she owes, and they will no longer be putting her house up for sale, according to 
Someone ought to tell the American Idol hopefuls this season that being an Idol isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially as a winner. Fantasia Barrino is in debt “up to her eyeballs” according to ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=c82358b2-0cfe-446b-a8a0-b9f4662d3380)
No, I’m not talking about Gumby and Pokey babies; I’m talking about a Clay Aiken baby, as soon as this August.
Yeah, I know there is some important celebrity gossip going on this week that I’m missing out on, such as Steven Tyler entering rehab (I thought he and the rest of the band had stopped all that years ago?) and boy band creator Lou Pearlman being sent to prison for money swindling, but it’s just hard to ignore the phenomenon that is American Idol.
Apparently it doesn’t pay to makes promises to your audience, then have machinations behind the scenes to make sure it carries out as promised.
I should have been thinking all night about how great the final three performances were last night on American Idol, but instead I was thinking about who they are and their current (past?) occupations. Ryan Seacrest started it by announcing the final three at the beginning as a high school student, an actress, and a bartender. There just doesn’t seem to be anything stunning about that to me, but he must have announced it for a reason.
