21x04 - 603A (Auditions)

[bunniefuu]

Welcome to a very special night
here on "American Idol."

We've kicked off our 21st season

and the nation is buzzing
about the incredible talent

walking through the judging
room doors this year.

Tonight, we've got more
award-worthy auditions for you.

But first, let's take a look
at some emotional

and triumphant moments...

Oh, my God!

From the most epic season yet.

Man:
Welcome to "American Idol."

Katy: Incoming!

Lionel: Hey!

♪ I feel like taking chances ♪

[ Vocalizing ]

Katy: That was exceptional.

I felt so connected.
I felt alive.

♪ Like when I close my eyes ♪

That was just one of the moments
in my life I will never forget.

You let it come
out of your heart.

♪ Like I can fly ♪

Only on "American Idol"!

Together: You're
going to Hollywood.

Let's go, baby!

♪ Brand new ♪ [ Screams ]

Going to Hollywood!

Oh, my God!

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Yeah!

Hollywood!

This one's for my dad.

♪ I feel, I feel brand new ♪

It is already a
season to remember

and we are just getting started.

Now let's meet the next person

hoping to grab that
iconic golden ticket.

Check it out.

We're finally here. [ Sighs
heavily ] I know, I know.

You've gotta, like,
Zen. [ Chuckles ]

Yes. Easy for me to say.

I know. You get to sit out here.

[ Both chuckle ]
You're gonna do great.

I love you. I love you.

Mm.

Luke: How you doing?

Hello. What's your name?

My name's Dany Epp.

How young are you?

23. Oh!

Lionel: No. 23 from...

Suffern, New York.

What do you do in Suffern?

Well, I actually don't
live there anymore.

I moved to Oklahoma
because my girlfriend lives there.

But that's my hometown. Okay.

My mom still lives there.
My parents still live there.

So I haven't seen my mom in almost,
like, a year, and she came out with me.

She's here with
you? Oh. Good. Aww.

So you made it a family
affair. Yes. [ Laughs ]

Are you a big
"American Idol" fan?

Yeah. I think my mom's
a bigger fan. [ Laughs ]

Katy: Oh, yeah? Why?

Dany: She likes to
think she's a judge. Oh.

Yeah. She's been
my, like, judge forever.

♪♪

Our whole life, my mom
has watched "American Idol"

from the first season

and she's like, "This
could be you one day."

To finally be
here is so surreal.

This is our dream.
Like, we made it.

♪ Oh, if you keep reachin'
out, then I'll keep comin' back ♪

I'm about to start crying

'cause this is my...
She's my lifesaver.

We've gone through
some hard times together,

and she's always
been there for me.

She's my support,
even living so far away.

When I have financial
troubles or whatever it is,

even if it's hard for her,
she makes it easy for me.

Just being around
her is, like...

just home.

Do you think she'd
give honest feedback

if we added her
as a fourth judge?

Oh, yeah, she would for sure.
Oh, let's do that. Come on.

Come on. Let's do that.

She needs to be
sitting at this table.

Absolutely. Dany: Oh, gosh.

Go ahead, Dany. Okay.

Oh, gosh. She's gonna hate me.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Laughter ]

Uh, they want you to come
in, Mom. Denise: Uh-oh.

[ Laughter ]

Hey, Mama. Hi.

Come on down! Come
on down. Come on down.

[ Laughs ]

Hi. Nice to meet
you. Nice to meet you.

Oh, my gosh. [ Chuckles ]

Katy: Well, speaking of judging,

who do you think you
are more like as a judge?

I agree with you a
lot. I do. [ Chuckles ]

Lionel: There you go, there
you go. I do agree with you.

All right.

Well, what are you
gonna sing for all of us?

I'm gonna sing "The
One That Got Away"

by you, Ms. Katy Perry.

Ooh, here we go.

Did you think this
was a good choice?

It is. It is?

Yeah, I think so.
I hope you like it.

Okay. Well, yeah.

Go ahead.

♪♪

♪ Summer after high
school when we first met ♪

♪ We make out in your
Mustang to Radiohead ♪

♪ Never planned that
one day, I'd be losing you ♪

♪ 'Cause in another life ♪

♪ I would be your girl ♪

♪ And we'd keep
all our promises ♪

♪ Be us against the world ♪

♪ 'Cause in another life ♪

♪ And I would make you stay ♪

♪ So I don't have to say you
were the one that got away ♪

♪ The one that got away ♪

♪ And all this money can't
buy me a time machine ♪

♪ No ♪

♪ I should have told you
what you meant to me ♪

♪ And I ♪

♪ 'Cause in another life ♪

♪ And I would be your girl ♪

♪ And we'd keep
all our promises ♪

Katy and Dany: ♪ Be
us against the world ♪

♪ 'Cause in another life ♪

♪ And I would make you stay ♪

♪ So I don't have to say you
were the one that got away ♪

♪ The one that got away ♪

That's right.

[ Laughs ]

Wow. [ Laughs ]

Anything you think
that she could work on?

She's gotta keep her
eyes open a little more.

She's got the emotion.

She just needs to connect
more with the eyes. There you go.

She could be coming
for our job. Yep.

Hey, better be
careful. [ Laughter ]

Your mom's right.

Getting people to
come to you. Yeah.

Bring them to you,
follow me, is everything.

Just believe in yourself.
You're here now.

This is not a joke
anymore. Katy: Yes.

You are really It's happening.

Thank you. Katy:
Dany, Dany, Dany.

I always brace myself

when someone says
they're gonna do my song.

And then I got so happy. I
was like, I want to sing, too.

It sounds so good.

Luke: You know,
it's... Your voice,

it's real and it's
emotional and...

You know, you sing
from a great spot.

Good stuff.

What's your vote? I think
she should go to Hollywood.

[ Laughter ]

I agree with mom. It's a yes.

It's a yes.

Has anybody ever been
four for four on this panel?

No. Nobody. Not on this panel.

You'll be the
first four for four.

Oh, my God. You're
going to Hollywood!

[ Cheering ]

♪ I would be your girl ♪

Congratulations.
Congratulations.

Give me a hug. Oh, my God.

Whoooo!

♪ The one that got away ♪

♪♪

Amara: I'm Amara. I'm
from Yonkers, New York.

Katy: Yonkers.

And I have a little video. Okay.

Luke: You may approach
the bench. [ Laughs ]

All right. What is this?

Tell us your story.

I got asked to sing the
national anthem at my school.

I was, like, super excited.

And then when I started to sing,

this girl came up and
pulled the mic and was like,

"This is my senior
graduating class

and I think I deserve to
sing the national anthem."

No. What?

Okay, here we are. Ready?

♪ Oh, say, can you see ♪

♪ By the dawn's early... ♪

[ Crowd gasps ]

Hi. This is my senior
graduating class

and I would like...

She just pulled a Kanye West.

I got Kanye'd.

She got Kanye'd. [ Laughs ]

And then the next
year was COVID,

so I never got to sing at my
high school graduation, either.

Amara. 20 years old.

I want to feel that
anger. I want to feel that.

And I need that [bleep] name.

[ Laughs ]

Give me her name.

Don't give it. I got Navy SEALs.

I got Navy SEALs.

Don't give him the name.
Don't give him the name.

You don't want the name.

All right. What are you
gonna sing for us today?

I'm gonna sing
"Bust Your Windows"

by Jazmine Sullivan.

Bust that... Never mind.

[ Laughter ]

You want to sing a
little of that chorus

and dedicate it to someone that shall not
be named... There you go. There you go.

So they can't be
looked up? Amara: Yeah.

Let's go.

♪ I bust the windows
out your car ♪

What's her name?
What's her name?

♪ And, no, it didn't
mend my broken heart ♪

Come on.

♪ I'll probably always
have these ugly scars ♪

Sophia? Was it Sophia?

♪ But right now, I don't
care about that part ♪

Karen! ♪ I bust the
windows out your car ♪

Emily.

♪ After I saw you laying
next to her ♪ Christina.

Samantha. [ Laughs ]

♪ I didn't wanna,
but I took my turn ♪

Come on. ♪ I'm glad I did
it 'cause you had to learn ♪

Amara from Yonkers. Let's go!

♪ I bust the windows
out your car ♪

♪ You know I did it
'cause I left my mark ♪

♪ Wrote my initials
with a crowbar ♪

Wilma! Wilma?

♪ And then I drove
off into the dark ♪

[ Laughter ] ♪ Ooh, whoa ♪

[ Cheering ]

Someone said... someone
said something with an S, though.

I got you. Sarah.

Whoa! Oh, okay.

That was quick. Yeah!

Katy: Okay, listen.

An eye for an eye makes
the whole world blind.

But, Sarah... [ Laughs ]

you're finished
messing with our girl.

Our girl. That's our girl.

Amara. One, two, three.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

[ Screams ] Oh, my God! Yeah.

And ain't no one gonna
interrupt you there!

Come on. That's how you do that.

Amara.

What do you say?
Revenge is the best success.

I'm gonna start
listening to that one.

[ Laughing ] Okay.
Don't worry about it.

Baby, you got the last laugh.

Thank you. Katy: Sorry, Sarah.

Talk about disrespected
the anthem and her.

[ Laughs ]

♪♪

"Metaverse Idol."

Katy, you're currently
sitting in my lap.

[ Laughs ]

Well, you just spiked
the ball in our face.

[ Sniffles ] If I could give you

a big dose of confidence,

I just want you to remember
this moment in your life.

Music is the dream,
and I was afraid to dream.

You were definitely
born to sing.

Katy: I have three
words for you.

Top 10.

Yes.

♪♪

♪♪

Katy: Whoa. Lionel:
"Metaverse Idol."

So cool.

Savanna: ♪ Rising up ♪

♪ Back on the street ♪

♪ Did my time, took my chances ♪

♪ Ba-ba-ba ♪ ♪ It's
the eye of the tiger ♪

♪ It's the thrill of the fight ♪

♪ Rising up to the
challenge of our rival ♪

Katy is literally right here.

[ Laughter ]

My friend created
"Metaverse Idol"

on the VR headset.

It's basically a competition,

just like "American
Idol" in real life.

Katy: This is awesome.

Katy, I don't mean
to tell you this,

but you're currently
sitting in my lap.

[ Laughter ]

Orlando, I am not up to
any Metaverse tomfoolery

with your girl.

[ Laughter ]

Katy, I'm about to do
something I've always wanted to.

No, no, no.

[ Laughter ]

♪ Eye of the tiger ♪

Wow! Wow!

I'm clapping my
little mini hands.

[ Laughter ]

All right, back to Earth.
Katy: Oh, my gosh.

It's like wild thing.
Wow, that was awesome.

Yeah.

Savanna, I think for this trip
around with "American Idol,"

it's gonna be a no from me.
That's all right. Thank you.

But I'm having so
much fun. [ Laughs ]

You taught us something
new. [ Laughing ] Yes.

And thank you so much, Savanna.
Thank you so much, Savanna.

You're welcome.
Thank you all so much.

All righty.

Thank you, Phredley. [ Laughs ]

God, that was great.

All right. Here we
go. To the Metaverse.

To the Metaverse
and beyond. All right.

Oh, my gosh!

Oh, whoa! Okay.

I'm loving this.

Hey.

This reminds me of '76.

'76? Whoa. 1976.

Whoa. Hey. There you are.

♪♪

[ Laughter ]

♪ Virtual insanity ♪

♪ Is what we're living in ♪

Hannah. I hear you were a
volleyball player growing up.

Pretty good? Yeah, I played
volleyball in college for five years.

Oh, so you're really good. I'm
You know, I'm good enough.

Volleyball was
absolutely my life.

♪ With my head held high ♪

♪ I'll be the last
one standing ♪

We'd have 5:00 a. m. wake up,

6:00 a. m. practice until 9:00.

That's a full-time job.

Do you think being such
a good volleyball player

and being competitive
gives you an edge?

I think it definitely has
taught me a lot of discipline.

♪ With my head held high ♪

I'm so proud of all those
years, and I adore the sport,

but music is the dream
that I was afraid to dream.

♪ Held high ♪

Incoming. Hi.

What is up? I'm awesome.

Who are ya?

My name is Hannah Nicolaisen.

Nicolaisen.

Yeah, that's Danish. Wow. Wow.

Yeah, my grandfather's
from Denmark.

Sounds like you're
gonna be on a Viking ship.

[ Chuckles ] Nicolaisen.

[ Chuckles ] Where you from?

Houston. I was
there for 18 years,

and then I played
college volleyball.

Did you spike people right in
the dome? Right in the head?

Actually, I did. I did.

My sophomore year at
the national tournament,

I got someone right in the
face. There's a video of it.

Really?

♪♪

I think she knows how to spike.

[ Laughs ]

Well, good deal.

What got you to
audition for "Idol"?

I basically started trying to
figure out how to play music,

like, a month or two ago.

So you're, like, two
months into this?

Yeah. [ Laughs ]

What are you gonna sing?

"Make You Feel My Love."

Perfect. Yeah.

Great. It's a good one.

♪♪

♪ When the rain is
blowing in your face ♪

♪ And the whole
world is on your case ♪

♪ I could offer you
a warm embrace ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

♪ When the evening
shadows and the stars appear ♪

♪ And there's no one
there to dry your tears ♪

♪ I could hold you
for a million years ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

♪ I know you haven't
made your mind up yet ♪

♪ But I could never
do you wrong ♪

♪ I've known it from the
moment that we met ♪

♪ No doubt in my mind
where you belong ♪

♪ I'd go hungry, I'd
go black and blue ♪

♪ I'd go crawling
down the avenue ♪

♪ You know there's
nothing that I wouldn't do ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ To make you feel my love ♪

[ Chuckles ]

Well, you just spiked
the ball in our face.

[ Laughter ]

Hopefully not. That's
not a very fun feeling.

Hey, it's all about spiking
the ball in people's faces...

Oh, okay.

When you're
singing. [ Chuckles ]

I don't even think
you've sang enough

to know what you actually have.

It's like you've unveiled
a pristine vintage car

in your garage.

Yeah, that got covered up.

And you just need to
start the engine, girl.

You did everything
right to tell that story.

That's something
we can't teach. Mm.

Your unique voice is what
you pray for in this business.

Yeah, I mean, I think some
people are born to sing,

some people are
born to be a star.

And so now, we got to
get your brain around it,

but you're definitely
born to sing.

Let's vote. Katy?

Yeah. [ Chuckles ]

Yes.

Lionel? It is an
absolute yes from me.

Thank you. Yep.
Yes. Yes, sirree.

Oh, my gosh. [ Chuckles ]

It's happening.
Nicolaisen. It's happening!

And guess what.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Thank you so much. Ya.

Thank you so much. Ya.

♪♪

Oh! [ Laughs ]

Dude!

♪ And carries us away ♪

Scandinavians are
my favorite people.

I'm 33% Scandinavian.

Well, I like you, then, 33%.

[ Laughs ]

This feels amazing.

It feels like... Wow, okay,

somebody really
believes I can do this, so...

Pretty good. Yeah. What
have we been telling you?

[ Laughter ]

♪ Of a stolen place ♪

[ Chuckles ] Um...

♪ Caught in the silence ♪

I think sometimes, I just...

I'm not totally positive
that, like, I'm cut out for this,

you know?

Now it feels like
I want to believe

what everybody
seems to believe, so...

♪ It always does ♪

How you feeling?

A little anxious,
emotional, overwhelmed.

You're gonna do great.

Sing your heart out. That's
what you do every day.

Okay? Okay.

Love you. [ Chuckles ] Love you.

♪♪

Reette: When I was a
little girl, I dreamed of this.

Yeah, I never thought that I
would be here out of all places,

but... very grateful.

♪♪

What's up? Hi, I'm
good. How are you guys?

Good. Tell us who you are.

My name is Reette Thorns.

I'm 20 years old, and I'm
from Madison, Wisconsin.

What does being on
"American Idol" mean to you?

I'm here today because
my mother, I love her.

I'm able to be
here and she's not,

but I want to show her

that she does have
something to believe in.

♪ I wanna take you
somewhere so you know I care ♪

My life has been very
unstable up until I was 16.

My mom has
struggled with addiction

pretty much my whole life.

♪ But they won't flower
like they did last spring ♪

I actually remember this one day

my sister and my brother
were just like, "I need food,"

and I went in the kitchen
and I was hungry, too,

and there was, like, nothing
that I knew how to make

because I was
only like 11 or 12.

I didn't know what
to do for them.

♪ And I wanna kiss you,
make you feel all right ♪

I didn't want to tell anyone

because I didn't want them to
take us away from her again.

Anybody would rather
be with their mom

than not be with her at all.

♪ But all my tears
have been used up ♪

I loved my mom.

And still to this day,

I want her to know
that I'm rooting for her.

The fact that you still
have, like, this whole level

of forgiveness in your
heart for your mother

is so very special.

The fact that you have the
courage to grow up like you have

and then come
stand in that oval,

that circle in front
of us, is so brave.

What are you gonna sing for us?

I am going to sing "I
Believe" by Fantasia.

Perfect.

♪♪

♪ Have you ever
reached a rainbow's end ♪

♪ And did you find
your pot of gold? ♪

♪ Mm, mm ♪

♪ Ever catch a sh**ting star? ♪

♪ And tell me, how
high did you soar? ♪

♪ Ever felt like you
were dreaming ♪

♪ Just to find that
you're awake? ♪

♪ And the magic
that surrounds you ♪

♪ Can lift you up and
guide you on your way ♪

♪ I can see it in the
stars across the sky ♪

♪ I've dreamed a hundred
thousand dreams before ♪

♪ And now I finally realize ♪

♪ You see, I've
waited all my life ♪

♪ For this moment to arrive ♪

♪ And finally ♪

♪ I believe ♪

[ Applause ]

[ Sniffles ]

[ Sobs ]

♪♪

You're the only contestant
that he's done this for today.

[ Chuckles ]

The little Lionel Richie hankie.

Aww.

Thank you.

Okay. Okay.

So, let me just
tell you something.

That first note you
hit was spot on.

The rest of it was nerves.
But you got that voice.

If I could give you a big
adrenaline dose of confidence,

it's in there. You touched me.

That's the whole
name of this business.

It's a big yes from me.

And I just want you to remember
this moment in your life, okay?

I will.

We believed it.
Was it perfect? No.

But perfection doesn't exist.

It just needs to be supported.

Just need a little TLC.

Okay.

T.L.C. We got you.

You got to trust us. Okay.

I might even be your
stage mom. [ Chuckles ]

I would love that. That's
a heck of a stage mom.

[ Chuckles ] Okay.

And we want to help
you through this process.

It's a yes from me.

Thank you.

[ Exhales deeply ]

Luke: You know what that means?

Two yeses get you to Hollywood.

But listen. We're
gonna push you, too.

So I'm gonna give you a no

so you work and you
work and you work.

I know you got it in you, too.

But guess what.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

[ Laughs ]

Go right over there and
pick that ticket up, young lady.

We're very proud of you.

Thank you guys so much.

And you should be
very proud of you.

Here comes some good...

[ Screams ]

[ Laughter ]

I got it!

[ Sighs ] It's a ticket
full of dreams come true

and a start to the
"American Idol" dream,

and that's what I've been
dreaming about since I was a kid.

♪ Keep lifting me higher ♪

Mom, I love you,
and I believe in you.

Together, we can
get through anything.

[ Cheering ]

Ryan: Go celebrate.

Tripp, tell me about yourself.

Where are you from?
Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Florence,
South Carolina.

You've got a deep
voice. Thank you.

I'll take that as a
compliment. Yeah. Yeah.

My name is Tripp
Taylor. I am 18 years old.

Growing up in Florence, it's
not the biggest town in the world.

There isn't, like, a lot to do.

Being in the South, it's
not like the best place

for, like, racially
ambiguous people.

But you find the
good things to look into

whenever there are a lot
of bad things around you.

Tell us about your
musical journey, man.

I've been singing all my life.

My dad sings. My sister sings.

I started doing
theater a little bit,

singing wherever I can, really.

Just wherever I have
the opportunity to.

♪ No, I'll never walk away ♪

I would say that I'm most
excited to meet Lionel Richie

because I love
the old soul genre.

I like the old stuff like Ray
Charles and Sam Cooke.

Okay. Well, you already
got a yes from Lionel.

You know me real well.

I'm so proud of you for falling

[chuckles] two
feet into the pool

and not letting
anything hold you back.

What are you gonna do for us?

I'm gonna sing "I Believe
to My Soul" by Ray Charles.

Wow. Okay. We're ready for you.

All right.

I love you.

I know, I wasn't
gonna d... I love you.

No, I love you so much.

♪ Get the best of me ♪

He looks like he
could be your son.

I'll take that as a compliment.

I'll take that as a
massive compliment.

We could do a DNA test.

Lionel, you weren't in South
Carolina... 18 years ago.

18 years ago, were
you? There you go.

♪♪

♪ One of these days,
and it won't be long ♪

♪ You're gonna look
for me, and I'll be gone ♪

♪ That's why I
believe right now ♪

♪ I say I believe right now ♪

♪ I believe to my
soul right now ♪

♪ You're trying to
make a fool out of me ♪

♪ You're going 'round here
with your head so hard ♪

♪ I think I'm gonna
have to use my rod ♪

♪ That's why I
believe right now ♪

♪ I say I believe right now ♪

Whoo!

♪ I believe to my
soul right now ♪

♪ You're trying to
make a fool out of me ♪

♪ Last night you were
dreaming, and I heard you say ♪

♪ "Oh, Johnny" when you
know my name is Ray ♪

♪ That's why I
believe right now ♪

♪ I say I believe right now ♪

♪ I believe to my
soul right now ♪

♪ You're trying to
make a fool out of me ♪

All right.

Come back front and center.

Are you sure he's not your son?

[ Laughs ] You know
what? You know what?

I'll thoroughly have
him checked out.

Luke, what do you think
about this young man?

I think you're incredible.

I really love your
attack at the mic.

I mean, when you open up...

Go for it. Yeah. Yeah.

The most promising
thing is you've got, really,

your own kind of sound, too.

I mean, it's just the right
amount of gravel and grit.

Diamond in the rough.

Tripp Taylor.

Katy Perry.

You just got all of it.

First and foremost, the talent.

You got the "it" factor.

You got the name to go with it.

You've got the humility.

But I think you've got
such a phenomenal voice.

If you just can
give it full wingspan

and pick the right songs...

Yes, ma'am.

Off to the races.

Your stage presence
is strong. Thank you.

Now, if we let you
go to the next level,

it's gonna be shocking. Okay.

Because now you're
gonna see a class of people

all thinking they're number one.

But I think we can vote this guy

into the next part of his life.

Tripp.

You ain't trippin' on nothin'.

[ Laughs ] Thank you.

Yes for me.

People are gonna
remember your name.

Tripp Taylor, it's a yes.

Ooh.

Thank you.

It's a yes for me, Tripp.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Thank you.

All right. That's official.

Yes! I'm going to Hollywood.

I'm going to Hollywood.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God!

I could not be more
excited right now.

I'm, like, on another level.

Tripp: Lionel Richie said that
he wanted to get a DNA test

to figure out if he was my dad.

Yeah. Yeah.

All right, baby.
What a great kid.

I think Lionel is
gonna have to come

to a family reunion or something.
[ Laughs ] Uncle Richie. Yeah.

I just got to grow the 'stache.

Yeah, there you go.
That's the only thing.

♪ I second that emotion ♪

I'm going to Hollywood.

Uncle Richie, I'm
gonna see you there.

I can't wait.

Yeah, see you. Bye.

♪ I second that emotion ♪

Whoo!

♪ Gotta get away ♪

♪ Get awa-a-a-y ♪

♪ Yoww! ♪

♪ Holy Diver, Holy Diver ♪

♪ There's a cat in the middle
coming after you, Holy Diver ♪

♪ All right ♪

[ Chuckles ]

Yeah.

Shall we pray?

[ Laughter ]

Let's vote, Katy.

Oh, it's a no for me
for "American Idol,"

but rock on in your own world.

Lionel? It's a no
for me this trip.

But I have not heard
that song in 100 years.

And I'm a big
fan of rock 'n' roll.

I know this may
sound kind of strange,

but Rob Zombie happens to be
one of my dearest friends, so...

Katy: What? No.

Rob Zombie and
Lionel Richie hang out?

How about we both did
"Brick House" together

on a record?

Wow.

♪ Holy Diver ♪

I'm gonna go search
what "Holy Diver" is.

[ Laughs ] Oh, my God.

Thank you, Rach.

It's a no for me. Thank you.

Thank you. Take care, you guys.

All right.

Where we going next?

♪ This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine ♪

♪ This little light of mine ♪

♪ Holy Diver ♪

♪ Holy Diver ♪

♪ Dive... Diver ♪ God, that hurt.

Oh, here we go. Here we go.

Oh, we got a cross. Thanks.

There's a cross around his neck.

We're saved. [ Laughter ]

How y'all doing?
Good. Fantastic.

The light cannot exist
without the darkness.

True. But thanks for
bringing the light back.

All right, well, tell us who
you are and where you're from.

My name's Colt Glover.

I'm 21 years old, and I'm from
Magnolia, Texas. We are, too!

Colt Glover, tell me
about your musical journey.

I was a freshman in college,

and one of my buddies came
up to me, and he just said,

"Hey, man, you need to
start taking this stuff seriously."

And he was like, "So,
let's go to a pawn shop,

get you a little Washburn
guitar, about 100 bucks."

So, yeah. What are
you gonna sing today?

I'm gonna sing "Rock Salt
and Nails" by Flatt & Scruggs.

All right. Let's hear it.

♪♪

♪ By the banks of the river ♪

♪ Where the willows hang down ♪

♪ Way down in the hollow ♪

♪ Where the river runs cold ♪

♪ It was there
I first listened ♪

♪ To the lies you told ♪

Relax. You got this. You got it.

♪ Now, if the ladies
were blackbirds ♪

♪ If the ladies were thrushes ♪

♪ Well, I'd lie
there for hours ♪

♪ In the chilly, cold marshes ♪

Wow.

♪ And if the women
were squirrels ♪

♪ With them high, bushy tails ♪

[ Chuckles ] Oh.

♪ Well, I'd load up my shotgun ♪

♪ With rock salt and nails ♪

♪ I'd load up my shotgun ♪

♪ Ohhhh ♪

[ Laughs ] Very good.

Thank you.

All right.

Katy, what do you
think about Colt Glover?

So if, like, we were living
in a video game simulation...

[ Clears throat ] [ Laughs ]

and, like, I picked a
character in country music,

I would pick the guy
named Colt Glover.

I'd be like, [imitates
g*n c*ck]

"Here's your guitar." Right?

Yeah.

You are the best country singer

we have seen so far.

Wow. Don't say a
word. Don't say a word.

Just kind of go, "Yeah."

You're my fighter.

All we have to do in your
whole career is to teach you

what to do with your
hands while you're singing.

That's right. That's right.

That's facts. Yeah.

You know what I mean?

I'm really happy
that you're with us.

You're gonna see
stuff you've never seen

out here in Vegas and L. A.

And you're gonna
be on a country-boy

amusement-park
rocket ship, you know?

Let's vote it up.

Lionel. Yes.

Katy? I have
three words for you.

Top 10. Mm.

Yes. Mm.

Luke. Okay.

Yes. All right.

Guess what.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

♪ Hey, cowboy, keep
slingin' that rope ♪

I love whoever told you

you need to
really go after this.

Yeah, you owe them.

Congratulations.

Thank you, sir.

See you in Hollywood. Yes, sir.

Katy: Don't party too hard
for the Lord tonight, all right?

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, my God.

She says Top 10,

so I'm gonna try and get there.

Get up to Top 10, man.

This is how we... make a show.

That's exactly right.

♪ On and on and on ♪

♪ Country on ♪

Katy: Are you getting
ready for bed, my baby girl?

Oh, you can have some
milk now. I love you.

I just called you to tell
you I love you, my girl.

You what? [ Gasps ] Oh, hold on.

I got to go. I love
you. I'll talk to you later.

[ Laughs ]

Oh, gosh. Luke: How are you?

I'm doing good. How are you?

Good. Good to see you. Katy's...

I'm saying night-night
to my little girl.

Katy's doing night... Oh,
I have babies, so I get it.

Katy: Oh, you have babies? Yes.

How old are they?

2 and 1. Oh, my... Oh, my God.

You have babies.
Cay: They're a handful.

Yes. Yes. Katy: I know.

Mine's 2. I was just
saying night-night.

I love her.

Oh, my. Babies are the best.

All right, well, tell us who
you are and where you're from.

Yeah. My name is Cay Aliese.

I'm 24, and I'm from
Dandridge, Tennessee.

Tell us about your
music background.

Well, I've grown up
doing music with my dad,

who just passed
away two months ago.

Oh, what happened?

He died of a drug overdose.

I'm sorry. Oh.

Was he struggling?

Yeah. Like, my whole life,
he struggled with addiction.

He kind of had record
deal after record deal,

opportunity after opportunity,

and just kind of kept
blowing it, which is sad, too.

So, yeah.

♪ I took the
supermarket flowers ♪

Growing up, my dad was
kind of in and out of my life.

But the one thing

that I always connected
with him was with music.

♪ Packed up the photo album ♪

That was...

He was helping me produce
an original that I wrote.

♪ Memories of a life
that's been loved ♪

♪ Dad always told me ♪

In that picture, I was
singing at a gig with him

when I was probably like 7 or 8.

Seeing my dad in
the music industry

actually made me not want to
pursue music for a long time.

But since his passing,

it just feels like all I
want to do is music.

It makes me miss it more,
it makes me miss him,

and it also makes me
feel close to him in a way.

♪ So I'll sing Hallelujah ♪

♪ You were an angel ♪

That was my favorite thing.

Sharing music with him.

♪ When I fell down,
you'd be there ♪

I don't know. I'm just sad

that it could have
been so different.

He didn't mean to die,

and he was like a
light to other people,

but he couldn't, like,
find that for himself.

♪ Hallelujah, you're home ♪

Going into that audition room
feels like I'm honoring my dad

and I'm closing his chapter

but starting my own.

♪ Hallelujah ♪

I just know he'd
be so, so excited.

♪ You got to see the
person I have become ♪

What are you gonna sing today?

It's called "City of Nashville,"

and I wrote it about my dad.

Ah. Very good. Perfect.

What's your dad's name?

Nolan Neal. Nolan Neal.

He was on "America's Got
Talent" and "The Voice."

Ah, okay. Wow.

How did he do on those shows?

He did good.

He went a little ways
on both of them, so...

Why didn't you do them?

"American Idol" has my heart.

[ Laughs ] Oh.

Ah, right answer. Right answer.

And it feels like, you know,

he had his journey.
There you go.

So now it feels
like... There you go.

This is opening
a chapter for me.

Good way to think. Yeah.

Thank you for entrusting
us with your dreams.

Yeah. Yeah, very good.

♪♪

♪ I never really enjoyed
the three-hour drive ♪

♪ Or trying to make sure I
could stay up all night with you ♪

♪ But something
about your hometown ♪

♪ Makes it feel
like home to me ♪

♪ Yeah, that city of music is
where we made our memories ♪

♪ We jam out in
the studio for fun ♪

♪ Writing songs about
all the things we've done ♪

♪ Telling jokes and wishing
on the stars for lo-o-o-ve ♪

♪ The city of Nashville ♪

♪ The city of Nashville ♪

♪ The city of Nashville ♪

Katy.

I think we heard the
story, and it was amazing.

But I think I'm on the fence.

I really am.

I didn't feel
emotionally connected.

But you have a
really good voice.

Just bring the emotions.

Lionel. Yeah, I, um...

You got a voice.

But I gotta get it to
sound like you care

that you're gonna do this.

You follow me? Okay. [ Laughs ]

Because it really boils
down to what you're feeling,

we're gonna get it.

If I could get you just to
calm down and let it happen.

You know, you've got a
wonderful tool in there.

Yeah, you have a unique sound.

Don't be afraid to soar. Don't
be afraid to push. Katy: Yeah.

This is a singing
competition. Yeah.

So, you know, we do preach
being able to connect emotionally.

So, we want you doing that,

but we want you really,
really, really singing, too, so...

Well, let's vote. Katy?

Okay, Cay. Okay.

I'm on the fence, but
I'm gonna roll the dice.

It's a yes.

What you think, Lionel?

Yeah, I'm sitting here

doing exactly the
same, but, you know,

I'm gonna go with my
little inner voice here.

You know, that little inner
voice said, "Aha." "Aha."

And so I'm gonna take that "Aha"

and turn it into a
yes... Yay! Thank you.

And see where
you go with this, okay?

Yeah, I think, you know,

the thing about it is
you have room to grow,

but I'm a yes.

Thank you guys so much!

And guess what.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Whoo! [ Laughs ]
Thank you so much.

♪ The next time I
turn the radio on ♪

I'm going to
Hollywood! [ Laughs ]

♪ If you're up there
on the other side ♪

Say hi, Mommy.

Hi, Mommy!

I got a ticket! Whoo!

[ Cheering ]

[ Laughs ]

I'm excited for my future.

If my dad was
here, he'd be happy.

And so... I'm
excited to go do this

and hopefully he's
cheering me on.

♪ Send me a butterfly ♪

Mwah! Mwah!

I love you so much!

I'll see you guys soon!

Doing this is giving me an
opportunity to honor my dad

and walk a path that
my dad didn't get to walk.

I got the golden ticket.

I'm going to Hollywood. Aaah!

♪♪

♪ Send me a butterfly ♪

It has been so fun celebrating
our 21st birthday with you.

That is it for tonight,
but join us next Sunday

as the "Idol" party continues.

Here is what's coming up.

Paige Anne: Ever
since I was 6 years old,

I was sitting on the couch
watching "American Idol."

Warren: This is a big
game changer for me.

Katy: There is a lion

that needs to be
let loose in there.

Break it up. Yes, Lord.

Now, that's how you eat a ball.

Katy, Katy, Katy.

Well, that was badass.

♪♪

I need to change my life.

Your potential could take
you seriously all the way.

You are a star.

I'm gonna fight for him.

Katy, chill out.

What?!