SUNDAY night’s episode of American Idol auditions ended with an emotional performance by Douglas Mills Jr.
The singer delivered a show-stopping audition and revealed to the judges that he didn’t try out for the show sooner because “people have always told me I wasn’t good enough.”
“You’re a super star,” said Katy Perry. “You froze the room, that was iconic.”
“You’re off the charts,” said Lionel Richie.
Meanwhile, former contestant Jacob Moran returned to American Idol and covered Katy’s song Rise.
Katy gave him a standing ovation after he finished singing, and the judges noted that his confidence spiked since his first audition in 2019.
“I really think you chose the right song, and you did it justice,” said Katy.
The first audition of tonight’s American Idol featured Nadia Turner’s daughter, Zaréh Isa.
Nadia Turner was a top ten contestant in season four of the show, and her daughter took her to her audition without her even knowing.
Read our American Idol live blog for the latest news and updates…
-
Group hug!
All three judges hugged Douglas Mills Jr after his jaw-dropping audition.
-
Final auditions tomorrow night
Tune in tomorrow night to watch the final round of auditions for this season of American Idol.
-
All three judges stand
The 18-year-old sang Strange Fruit, and earned a standing ovation from all three judges.
“I blanked out, passed out, woke up,” said Lionel.
“People have always told me I wasn’t good enough,” Douglas said when he was asked why he never auditioned for the show.
“You’re a super star,” said Katy. “You froze the room, that was iconic.”
Luke said he took their bodies and hypnotized them. “I don’t know I’m speechless about it,” said Luke.
“You’re off the charts,” said Lionel.
The judges told him he is going to Hollywood and gave up to give him a hug.
They touched him and all asked, “are you real?”
-
Up next, Douglas Mills
When the judges asked him why he was auditioning, Douglas showed his affiliate ticket pass, which was given to him after he was heard singing in school.
“I was about to faint honestly,” he said.
Douglas said he was bullied because he looked different, with some calling him “gorilla.”
-
‘A natural’
“You have that storytelling thing, man,” said Lionel. “I like what I just heard.”
Katy said she believes he has some “natural born talent.”
“You’re one of the best country-sounding artists who have been through,” said Luke. The judge suggested that he let the professionals play the instruments in the next round.
The judges all voted yes, and Dan is on his way to Hollywood.
-
From football player to singer
After playing football for Virginia Tech, Dan Marshall realized music was his true calling.
The singer said TikTok helped him break out of his shell.
-
Tik Tok inspiring contestants
Several contestants have admitted that TikTok has encouraged them to sing more.
-
‘Melody is king’
“There it is,” said Katy. The judge warned that Elli should get a little rougher with her voice.
She then voted yes.
Lionel said she has a “magical substance”.
Luke told her to test her full voice and dig in a little bit.
The judges all voted yes and sent her to Hollywood.
-
Up next, Elli Rowe
Elli Rowe brought in a guitar but asked to play the piano.
The 19-year-old college student is from Nashville, Tennessee.
She is singing Give you Blue, by Allen Stone.
-
Second shot
Haley sang One and Only, by Adele.
“We’re gonna give you a chance!” said Katy.
The judges all voted yes, and sent Haley to Hollywood.
-
Judges unsure
“I think there’s a lot there,” said Katy. “But I am worried.”
Katy told her to sing a second song and “fight for it.”
The show then cut to a commercial.
-
On the show pregnant
Haley Slaton said being pregnant on the show is not an obstacle for her.
“I’ve been singing since I was three years old,” she said.
If she goes through, she is expected to give birth while competing on the show.
Haley is singing The Climb by Miley Cyrus.
-
Two for two
After getting a golden ticket in 2019, Jacob earned another in 2022.
-
Katy stands
As soon as Jacob finished singing Katy’s song, the judge stood up and applauded him.
“Wow,” said Katy. “When you think the final nail is in, think again.”
“I really think you chose the right song, and you did it justice.”
Luke said he wrote yes already. Lionel said he also wrote yes.
The judges gave Jacob a golden ticket to Hollywood.
-
Covering Katy Perry
Jacob is singing Rise, by Katy Perry.
The judges appear shocked by Jacob’s audition.
-
2019 contestant returns
“I didn’t feel confident right there,” said Jacob Moran.
He said he lost over 60 pounds and has since gained confidence.
“I remember you!” said Luke Bryan.
Katy also said she remembered him.
-
Charvonay turned away
Charvonay auditioned next and was quickly turned away by the judges.
-
Kevin Gullage: That’s How Strong My Love Is
The judges were impressed with Kevin’s audition.
“That was crazy, so if you just keep continuing to do that, with that voice-” said Katy.
“My friend, you’ve got so much flavor!” said Lionel.
The judges sent him off to Hollywood.
-
Who can forget William Hung?
The former contestant auditioned in 2004 for American Idol.
-
Fritz gets a golden ticket
Katy said the chorus was very good and he has a lot of potential.
However, she did say he needs to discover who he is as an artist.
“I think that you deserve a shot, and it’s a yes,” said Katy.
Luke voted no for now, but Lionel voted yes and he was given a golden ticket.
-
‘Ready to perform on stage’
Fritz is singing Before you go, by Lewis Capaldi.
One Twitter fan said he is “ready to perform on stage”
-
Up next, Fritz Hager
The 21-year-old security officer is from Texas.
“I really just sit in a dark room for 12 hours a day,” he said. “I do not want to be sitting in that room for the rest of my life.”
-
‘A Broadway babe’
Kenzie sang I’m With You, by Avril Lavigne.
Katy called her “a Broadway babe.”
The judges agreed she is more of a theatre performer and voted no to send her to Hollywood.
-
Up next, Kenzie Elizabeth
The 20-year-old is from California and she is auditioning next.
She brought her grandmother, and she said “music is my life.”
-
Scaryoke!
The judges are now doing a karaoke segment, dubbed “scaryoke”.
They are spinning a wheel and singing karaoke.
