Auditions for American Idol season 13 are about to come to a close. After making stops in Boston, Austin, San Francisco, Detroit and Atlanta, the judging panel heads to the final two cities — Salt Lake City and Omaha — this week.
FOX has released nine preview videos to get us all excited for this week’s audition episodes.
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First up is 16-year-old Kenzie Hall, who starts singing her answers when the judges talk to her. She comes in very unassuming, then when he opens her mouth, she belts out John Mayer’s “I’m Gonna Find Another You” and absolutely blows us away. What’s great is she’s not trying to force anything, it just comes naturally to her. If she makes it to the live shows and is still this good, I can see her being someone to look out for.
Next is Alex Preston, who sings an original song and calls that a risky move. But sometimes being risky can pay off, and it certainly does for Alex, who has a beautifully unique voice. For the most part this season, the girls have been really impressing me. But once in a while, a guy walks in and makes the same sort of impression, and that seems to be the case with him.
We’ve seen children of famous people audition for singing competition shows before, and this season of Idol is no different. Carmen Delgina performs “Tainted Love,” and Jennifer Lopez is blown away that she’s the daughter of Wonder Mike from the Sugarhill Gang. (“I remember the first time I heard that song — changed my life.”)
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Kylee Adamson is a lumberjack — “I swing an ax,” as she says. She’s got a great voice, but I don’t know if I’ll remember her the next day like I will with the two singers above. But there’s no doubt she’s got talent.
Samantha Calmes is featured in the final preview from Salt Lake City. She’s wearing a fanny pack, which includes a makeup brush, a little notebook (her answer when Keith Urban asks what’s in the notebook is hilarious) and chapstick. Harry Connick, Jr. jokes that “I feel like I’m on Let’s Make a Deal.” And to top it all off, she sings the theme song to The Jeffersons. I don’t know, I’m not really feeling it.
Now moving on to Omaha, Nebraska. First is Simon (at least that’s what I think Ryan Seacrest calls him), who is a student, but doesn’t know what he’s studying. He’s a country singer and Keith Urban ends up singing along, but he’s nothing special and I doubt will make it very far in the competition if they give him a golden ticket.
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This next preview is another fantastic Harry Connick, Jr. moment, when he goes to stand by the auditioner (his name is not given) after being told the name of the song is “Stand By Me.” You gotta love HCJ!
Alyssa Siebken has a great voice when she sings Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands,” and is probably the best singer from the Omaha previews. She wants to take a victory selfie with Ryan if she makes it to Hollywood.
Finally, there’s Tyler Gurwicz, and I can’t figure out if he’s a good singer or not. I’m personally not on board, but take a listen for yourself.
Who are your favorites from these audition previews? Do any of them have a chance at making it far in the competition?
American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8pm on FOX.
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
