Season 11 has brought a lot of firsts on “American Idol,” and that includes a first visit to Portland to search out the best voices in the land, the first time in her Idol judgeship that Jennifer Lopez committed a fashion faux pas, and still, second chances for many amazing talents.
Brittany Zika walked on stage with her big glasses, big floppy hat and big smile, and the judges were expecting to yell out some big “No’s” or “Not yet’s.” They had not even seen her preshow profile detailing her dreams of being on stage with Sarah Barreilles as the spark to her courageous grab at stardom, but her voice soared on Brandi Carlile’s “The Story,” and they stared in shock! When Randy Jackson asked her to take off her hat and glasses, she went from kooky to contender, and captured yellow for Hollywood! Ben Perdom was plagued with pesky sniffles through his audition, which took him from Lady Gaga to “feel that bass,” which was better, but only a “better terrible” so Ben would be better to go back to barking out cable deals on the street. Jermaine Jones had divine guidance through his audition, and this 6’8.5″ “gentle giant,” as Ms. Lopez put it, went for stardom with stellar tones, bringing a touch of church to the proceedings, and Steven Tyler said he could feel the “spiritual” in his singing, and no doubt, an angel will ride along to Hollywood with him!
Jennifer Lopez must have really packed for Portland in a hurry because she forgot her black tights to complete her ensemble for the second day, and was left begging production staff, but still made her appearance properly hosed. Jennifer had a special kinship with contestant Britnee Kellogg, newly divorced from a two-timer hubby who stunted her dreams as she raised two sons. Encouraging her to “make it happen” with faith and family support, J-Lo was as impressed as her co-panelists with Britnee’s appropriately chosen, “You’re No Good” as her audition selection, while Steven applauded her spirit and sense of humor, and Randy just loved the voice! She’s a shoe in for crowd favorite. Sam Gershman was a girl who really thought we should know her by name, but nobody, including the judges, had a clue! She got an “A” for enthusiasm, but that took her show tune voice high, really high, and made her a little “too Broadway” for “Idol” tastes. David Weed was certain he was the next voice of heavy metal, no matter his closer resemblance to a “Revenge of the Nerds” cast member, and needless to say, his front man fantasy was dashed. Romeo Diahn fled from Liberia to a Ghana refugee camp, and spent years of his childhood just dreaming of freedom, much less singing for supper. His reggae groove had a Bob Marley seasoning, but a deeper passion, and the panel felt it, as they passed him his yellow ticket.
Naomi Gilles asked Steven Tyler himself for permission to sing “Cryin,” and her rendition was soul shaking! She will stay at the top for weeks. A stream of broken hearts and censored bleeps came before Ben Harrison and his too-much baby face brought some levity for everyone watching, but certainly not ticket worthy talent! Maybe a beard, some dark glasses and a little street grime could cure that look! Too cute cameras-eek!
Jessica Phillips closed the night and captured hearts with her story of standing by her boyfriend who had suffered a stroke two years ago, and speaking as one who knows, she captured the essence of struggle and blessing that is integral in any relationship for and with someone disabled. She could not have chosen a more poignant selection than Faith Evans’ “Again,” a song rarely covered. Her pain, passion and the promise that her audition held poured through every verse, and it will be a joy to see her and her still-beloved be able to build a new life again.
The auditions conclude this week. “American Idol” airs Wednesday and Thursday’s at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Source: “American Idol” telecast, Feb. 1, 2012 FOX TV.