Original subtitles

One, two, three!

All: You're going to Hollywood!

[ George Frederic Handel's "Hallelujah" plays ]

I'm a star. A star.

A star. A star.

A star. What?!

[ Screaming ]

Really? We'll see!

Katy: Hollywood this year is...

different.

Luke: It's all changed.

There are gonna be things done in this Hollywood

that have never been done. Oh, God.

This business throws you curve balls.

They said duets. Ah!

This is your career.

[ Gun cocks, fires ]

♪ I'm checking my vital signs ♪

Whatever we thought we knew, throw it out the window.

[ Chuckles ] We thought we had

everything planned,

and now it's like, "Whoo!" No.

Courtney: Singing, it's all I have.

♪ I know I was born for this ♪

And hopefully it's enough.

♪ I was born for this ♪

Lionel: You can give up backstage.

You can give up at home.

Just relax.

[ Crying ] You can give up in your mind.

[ Siren wailing in distance ]

Wherever you want to give up.

[ Crying ] I can't!

[ Gasps ]

But you never give up onstage.

♪ We are the warriors ♪

♪ Who learned to love the pain ♪

♪ We come from different places ♪

It's the end of the road for you.

♪ 'Cause we were, 'cause we were ♪

[ Crying ] I didn't know it would be this hard.

You okay?

Woman: Oh, my God!

Where have you been?

I've been in my room eating chicken wings.

Ryan: It's Hollywood week like you've never seen it before.

And the first brand-new round starts right now.

This is "American Idol."

♪♪

[ Welshly Arms' "Legendary" plays ]

Ryan: It's the evening of the first day

of Hollywood Week 2020.

Everyone in this room has already sung for their life.

It's very, very nerve-racking. So fingers crossed.

This is because,

for the first time in "Idol" history,

the judges have seen all 167 contestants perform

before making any decisions.

Lionel: We get to see every single person...

Wow!

Lionel: ...and compare every voice.

It's gonna get rough. [ Chuckles ]

♪ 'Cause we're gonna be legends ♪

Luke: We're separating the contestants.

We're making them pick a genre.

Ryan: And in this brand-new challenge,

the contestants must identify a genre

to show who they are as artists,

but they can pick any song.

Katy: These artists could one day be competing

in the same charts.

Luke: If we put you next to your competition,

can you stand out?

Lionel: We've got pop, rock, R&B...

Luke: Soul, country, singer/songwriter.

If you want to be a star, you're gonna have some pressure.

Makayla: It's intimidating

because there's a lot of talented people in my genre.

Some people, some of the things that they've sang,

I'm like, "How?"

Ryan: So after a grueling first day,

all the contestants can do is wait

as the judges deliberate and decide

who gets through to the next round.

Not sure if it's nervous or scared.

Ready? I'm ready.

[ Sighs ] Just put my head on my mom's shoulder. [ Chuckles ]

We do have to cut a bunch of people.

That is the reality.

It's time to get serious.

Ryan: For the contestants in the holding room,

it's time to face the judges.

Man: Everyone in the singer/songwriter genre,

please stand up.

That means the judges want to see you now.

Alright, let's go.

Ryan: First to hear the news are some of our singer/songwriters.

Lionel: Singer/songwriter,

you're the life's blood of the business.

You produce the music, you write the song,

you deliver the goods.

Unfortunately, some will go forward and some will stay back.

Will the following people step forward?

[ Clears throat ]

Alyssa.

Julia.

Ryan: Julia may be nervous now, but it was smooth sailing

at her Washington, D.C., audition

when she blew the judges away

with her original song "Growing Pains."

♪ I feel okay ♪

♪ All these growin' pains ♪

[ Laughs ]

A lot of folks just don't come in the door here,

"And here's my new song."

[ Laughs ] That was big-time.

Best moment of my life to date.

How are you trying to frame up what to do best this week

so you're successful?

I guess I have to take a song

and really try to make it my own

because the judges only heard originals.

So it's almost like I have to re-audition.

Julia: Singer/songwriter is something that

I so strongly identify with.

So when I saw that on the genre list,

my heart just, like, kind of fluttered a little bit.

Like, it was a big weight lifted.

I was like, "Oh, like, that's my spot."

♪ You're feeling nervous, aren't you, boy? ♪

♪ With your quiet voice ♪

♪ And impeccable style ♪

♪ Oh, let 'em laugh while they can ♪

♪ Let 'em spin ♪

♪ Let 'em scatter in the wind ♪

♪ I have been to the movies ♪

♪ I've seen how it ends ♪

♪ And the joke's on them ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you.

♪♪

I have no idea what the judges thought about that.

Katy: Here's the thing. I like her a lot.

I think she's amazing.

I think she kind of blew through that.

She's incredible, though.

Ryan: Waiting nervously alongside Julia

are her singer/songwriter rivals,

including Marna Michele from the L.A. auditions.

♪ Wise men say ♪

It's always been my dream to be a musician.

And I've been fighting for it my entire life.

And it's just a wonderful thing

to be able to fight for it here.

♪ For I can't help ♪

♪ Falling in love ♪

♪ With you ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Ryan: SoCal native Marna

must now wait for the judges' decision...

Arthur.

...while the next contestant

has come from a little further away.

So, what did you say your name was again?

Arthur. Arthur.

What's your name? Alex.

Alex. Nice to meet you, Alex.

Nice to meet you too.

Where are you from? From Nepal.

Okay. That's where Mount Everest is.

Yeah, it is where the Mount Everest is.

The famous mountain. Exactly. Right.

Yep. And now here we are in Hollywood.

♪ Oh ♪

[ Crowd cheering ]

It's Hollywood. It's Hollywood.

Yes, it is Hollywood.

Hollywood. It's mind-blowing, you know?

Bright lights, very shiny.

It is like a diamond.

♪ Keep on shining ♪

♪ Let the good times ♪

My genre is singer/songwriter.

And I'm singing "Hard to Handle"

by Otis Redding and The Black Crowes.

Go!

Hello, everyone.

Uh, can you hear me?

Yes! Okay, namaste.

Namaste! Alright.

[ Chuckles ]

And here goes.

MAN: Whoo! One, two, three.

[ Guitar playing ]

♪ Baby, here I am ♪

♪ I'm the man on the scene ♪

♪ Well, I can give you what you want ♪

♪ But you got to come home with me ♪

♪ Well, I forgot some good old lovin' ♪

♪ And I got some more in store ♪

♪ When I get to throwin' it on ♪

♪ You got to come back for more ♪

♪ Boys and things, a dime by the dozen ♪

♪ But that ain't nothin' but a drugstore lovin' ♪

♪ Pretty little thing, let me light your candle ♪

♪ 'Cause, mama, I'm sure hard to handle ♪

♪ It gets around ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

More! Yeah, come on!

Right, right, right! Thank you very much.

A little more! ♪ La-da-la-da-la-da-da ♪

Come on! Right, come on!

More! Come on!

♪ Baby, here I am ♪

♪ I'm the man on your scene ♪

♪ Action speaks louder than words ♪

Come on!

♪ I'm a man of great experience ♪

♪ But I know you've got you another man ♪

♪ But I can you love you better than him ♪

♪ But take my hand now, don't be afraid ♪

♪ I'm gonna prove every word I say ♪

♪ Well, I'm advertising love for free ♪

♪ So won't you place your ad with me? ♪

♪ Boys and things, a dime by the dozen ♪

♪ That ain't nothing but 10-cent lovin' ♪

♪ Pretty little thing, let me your candle ♪

I like how he's doing that different.

♪ 'Cause, mama, I'm so hard to handle ♪

♪ It gets around ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Now, it gets around ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Wow!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Alright, thank you. Way to go! Way to go!

Arthur Gunn, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the world.

[ Laughing ] I love it. Welcome to the world.

Nama-you-stay.

Nama-you-stay.

Whoa! [ Chuckles ]

Man: Wow! It was an amazing experience,

you know?

I totally connected to all the audience and judges, you know?

They were standing and rocking out on it

and singing along with me.

And that was great, you know?

Lionel: You know who he reminds me of?

Huh? It's like the--

He reminds me of Bob Marley.

The spirit that came off of that stage-- Oh, my God.

Ryan: With all the performances done,

it's time for this line of singer/songwriters

to hear the judges' decisions.

Well, I think there's some stars here, buddy.

Luke: They don't even know how wonderful they are.

Katy: They don't know.

The front row will continue forward.

[ Cheers and applause ] The back row,

this is the end of the line.

Thank you so much, you guys. Love you.

Ryan: So Arthur and Julia are through,

but Marna is out.

Marna: I told my mom I wasn't gonna cry on camera,

but it's very important to me.

I've tried to be here many times.

[ All cheering ]

♪ All we ever do ♪

Whoo-whoo-whoo!

To be right here in "American Idol"

and to step on to the next round in Hollywood Week,

this-- It feels amazing.

♪ La-la-la-la-la-la ♪

♪ La-la-la-la-la-la ♪

I get to stay in Hollywood!

[ Laughs ]

I love you. We're so proud of you.

♪ La-la-la-la-la-la ♪

Just got to keep on fighting.

♪ La-la-la-la-la ♪

[ X Ambassadors' "BOOM" plays ]

Ryan: For the first time ever,

contestants are singing in their genres.

I feel like the competition this year

is more competitive than it's ever been.

These guys are next-level talented.

They're so good.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Geena: If you're even slightly competitive...

He was insane. What?

...you start comparing yourself,

and that is completely, like, the enemy.

[ Vocalizing ]

Yeah! Come on! That's smooth.

Oh!

I mean, honestly, there's a lot of--

of great ones that we have. Great talent. Great talent.

Ryan: And by far, the largest pool of contestants is the pop genre.

♪ I can't wait, no, for nobody ♪

Man: Okay, if you're in the pop genre, please stand up.

Ryan: With so many people sharing the same passion,

it's easy to develop friendly rivalries...

All: "Idol"!

I got your back. You got my back. We're good. We're gonna...

I love you! Yes! ...kick Hollywood Week butt!

...and make new friends.

Hey, man! What's up?

I'm Louis. Oh, you're Louis?

Yeah. Oh, Francisco.

Francisco? Nice to meet you.

I heard the judges are, like, really excited about you.

Oh, I heard too, man. Yeah, thank you. Yeah.

Is that-- is that an English accent?

Yeah. I'm originally from London,

but I-I've been living in Philly

for like the last 8 1/2, 9 years.

Oh. How do you like it?

I love Philly. I love-- Philly's home now.

Oh, nice, nice. Yeah.

England are gonna hate me for saying that now.

[ Laughs ]

♪ London calling to the faraway towns ♪

My name's Louis Knight. I am 19 years old.

I am currently a pizza delivery driver.

I'm basically just writing every day.

♪ I'm lucky to live ♪

From a songwriter, you're on to something big.

♪ I'll hold you down ♪

Frankly, I was never that great at school,

so this is, frankly, all I'm really good at.

It's funny. I did the same thing.

When I was in college...

Yeah. ...I went for one year,

and then I dropped out because I wanted

to do this so badly.

And I never turned back.

Hopefully, it works for me like it clearly worked for you.

♪ Yeah, I'll hold you down ♪

This is my shot, and this is--

"American Idol" have given me this opportunity

to really make this dream of mine a reality,

and, like, just put my best foot forward.

♪ I will still hold you down ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Oh!

Luke: Easy, Katy.

He's giving me, like, "Harry Styles

comes on 'X Factor'" moment. Oh, oh, my God.

I know that's a different show,

but it's just giving me that vibe.

[ Laughs ]

Thank you.

[ Laughter ]

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ If you need me, call me ♪

♪ No matter where you are ♪

♪ No matter how far ♪

♪ Just call my name ♪

♪ I'll be there in a hurry ♪

♪ You don't have to worry ♪

♪ Oh, baby, there ain't no mountain high enough ♪

♪ Ain't no valley low enough ♪

♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪

♪ To keep me from getting to you, babe ♪

♪ There ain't no mountain high enough ♪

♪ Ain't no valley low ♪

♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪

♪ To keep me from getting to you, babe ♪

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ Oh, I can't stop it ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

It's a lot of pressure.

But the people here are just extraordinarily--

like, I've never seen talent like it.

So I hope I did enough to make it to the next round.

He should have put a little bit more fire on that one.

Yeah, a little-- a little bit more,

a little bit more sausage on it, as we say.

Sausage?

[ Laughs ] What?

I didn't say "sausage." Lionel did.

O-Okay, excuse me. Barbecue.

Barbecue sauce.

Barbecue-- some barbecue sauce.

[ Laughs ]

Ryan: It takes a special kind of sauce to stand out

during Hollywood Week.

And no one understands that better

than returning contestants Margie Mays

and Genavieve Linkowski.

This is your second time in Hollywood Week, right?

I know. It's mine too.

How are you feeling?

Just as nervous. [ Squeals ]

Just as ner-- Oh, I relate. I relate.

There's gonna be things done in this Hollywood

that have never been done in, like,

any of the other Hollywood Weeks,

like, ever before.

And then I got scared, and they were like,

"There's gonna be a genre challenge."

And I was like, "No."

♪ Oh, 'cause I need you ♪

♪ To see ♪

♪ How ♪

♪ That you are the reason ♪

[PIANO PLAYING]

[ Cheers and applause ]

She's definitely growing.

Yeah. I like it.

Very, very strong.

Ryan: Looks like Genavieve is starting to feel at home

here on "American Idol."

Our next contestant, Robert Taylor,

has always felt like an outsider,

but during his audition in Oregon,

he had an instant connection with one of our judges.

You show them who you are,

and don't be afraid to be who you are.

That's what I'm doing. I just want to give you guys me.

Well, we hope so. Hope so.

You already got us to the point of tears.

[ Laughs ]

I represent the outcasts, the misfits,

and the misunderstood.

I had to move from my home in Louisiana

because of my sexuality.

♪ You with the sad eyes ♪

♪ Don't be discouraged ♪

♪ Oh, I realize ♪

I come from a religious background,

and unfortunately, it was not accepted.

So right now, I'm somewhat homeless.

♪ You can lose sight of it all ♪

♪ The darkness inside you will make you feel so small ♪

[ Voice breaking ] Like, I may be going through

a world of hell right now,

but I am beyond grateful to "American Idol."

♪ I see your true colors shinin' through ♪

♪ I see your true colors ♪

All of my life, I've been different.

And for most of my life, I hated that.

And I realize that in that difference lies my beauty

and what makes me beautiful.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Very good. Very good.

My roots, that's soul.

But I consider myself pop.

So today I am singing "Natural Woman."

[ Laughs ]

♪ Are beautiful ♪

This song for me is kind of like, "I'll stick it to you.

Here I am."

[ Piano plays ]

♪ Looking out on the morning rain ♪

♪ I used to feel so uninspired ♪

♪ And when I knew I had to face another day ♪

♪ Lord, it made me feel ♪

Got to get a scream.

♪ So tired ♪

♪ Before the day I met you ♪

♪ My life was so unkind ♪

♪ You're the key to my peace of mind ♪

♪ Oh, you ♪

♪ Make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel ♪

♪ You make me feel like a natural ♪

♪ Woman ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

[VOCALIZING]

Yes!

[ Laughs ]

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank y'all.

Killed it.

He's got so much in him.

I've just never heard that song in all falsetto.

He had the one little missed note,

but he looked like he was ready.

[ Chuckles ]

Ryan: With this pop line complete,

the contestants now await their fate

as the judges make their final decision.

A little nervous.

There's a lot of talent in this group,

and this is a huge group of singers.

Luke, Katy, and myself have heard "no"

more than we ever heard "yes" before we made it.

Don't let anyone talk you out of your dream.

Will the following names step forward?

Genavieve.

Robert.

Demi.

Louis.

Geena.

Front row, you're going through to the next round.

[ Cheers and applause ] The back row,

this is the end of the line.

Thank you very much.

♪ Boom, clap, the sound of my heart ♪

♪ The beat goes on and on and on and on and ♪

♪ Boom, clap ♪

[ All cheering ]

♪ Come on to me, come on to me now ♪

I can remember being a kid watching this show,

seeing moments like this on TV, telling my mom, you know,

"Mommy, I'm gonna be on there one day."

And what makes it sweeter for me is I'm doing it in my own skin.

♪ Boom, clap, you make me feel good ♪

♪ Come on to me, come on to me now ♪

I'm very excited for group round

because that was actually my favorite part

when I came to Hollywood Week for the first time.

So singing with other people is my jam,

and I'm super excited to do it.

♪ Come on to me, come on ♪

I over-manscaped.

What?!

I over-manscaped.

What is-- What is-- Where?

Everywhere. [ Laughs ]

Oh, my God.

With a str-- with a razor.

Ow! Oh. Ow!

Not trimmers.

I don't even want to know this.

Oh, you gonna be in pain for a minute,

you know that, on the grow-back.

I need some powder. Oh, stop talking.

Ryan: While Luke tends to his manscaping situation,

our next contestant, Kay Genyse, puts a new meaning

to the word "landscaping."

♪ I just took a DNA test ♪

♪ Turns out I'm 100%... ♪

Kay: I definitely do feel like I stand out.

Like, when I wake up in the morning,

as soon as I open my eyes, I'm on 10.

Like, I'm just always just, "Aah!"

♪ Why men great till they gotta be great? ♪

All my life, people been telling me I'm extra,

I'm too much, I'm just too theatrical.

But, you know, it's just who I am as a person,

how I like to express myself.

♪ Fresh photos with the bomb lighting ♪

I have an alter ego, and her name is Honey Girl,

and she's just full of flowers.

That's amazing! She's serene, peaceful,

and Kay Genyse is fierce.

Oh. Okay, okay.

I seen a vision in my head, and for me to create it,

I feel so beautiful.

Like, I feel like myself.

I couldn't feel more confident.

I'm ready for the challenges. Like, throw them at me.

I've already had one challenge,

you know, in my first audition in Savannah...

Let's go sing in the streets right now.

Okay.

...Katy made me sing outside.

That was a tremendous challenge.

And I took it on the chin.

What's up? I'm ready.

So I took that same energy that I had,

and I'm gonna put it in my performance today

because the more that I realize how much

I love singing, the more I realize

I don't want to do anything else in the world.

♪ Say, whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Ain't nobody ♪

♪ Loves me better ♪

Come on! Hey!

♪ And makes me happy ♪

♪ Makes me feel this way ♪

♪ Na, na, na, na, na, na ♪

♪ First you put your arms around me ♪

♪ And you put your charm around me ♪

♪ I guess it's just the sweet surrender ♪

♪ And a love so good I cannot measure ♪

♪ Nobody makes me feel this way ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

She's a cutie pie.

She's fun. She's a party.

Kay: I did really good.

But I don't really know the-the standards.

I would just hope and pray that what I gave them

was enough to just put me through the first round.

Ryan: So Kay's confidence couldn't be higher.

And next up is 19-year-old Bilaal Avaz.

♪ Stone cold ♪

♪ Stone cold ♪

I was raised in a very strict, religious Muslim family.

My parents are from Pakistan,

and my upbringing was very much oriented around my religion.

I couldn't listen to music growing up

because, where I come from, the Islamic community,

music is prohibited.

♪ Happy for you ♪

But now my parents are my biggest fans.

They want me to succeed,

honestly, more than I want to succeed.

♪ Can't understand ♪

♪ Yeah, if happy is her ♪

♪ Her ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

[ Luke laughs ]

♪ Tried to keep it small, it wasn't enough ♪

It went way better than I expected.

I mean, I didn't always have support growing up.

So it really means a lot to me.

He's a humble giant. Yeah.

So when he opens his mouth, you go, "What?"

Ryan: Bilaal hopes his performance

will be strong enough to move him forward.

But he'll have to wait while the rest of his genre

gets their turn...

[ Cheers and applause ]

How you doing?

Ryan: ...including 20-year-old Shannon Gibbons.

♪ All I want is nothing more ♪

♪ Than to hear you knocking at my door ♪

Wow.

♪ 'Cause if I could see ♪

I remember being 4 years old.

My whole family would watch "American Idol,"

and we would sit around the TV and, like, you know,

have dinner or whatever.

And I remember I would just sit there and be like,

"I just need one shot."

Like, "I just need one shot."

♪ If you loved me ♪

♪ Why'd you leave me? ♪

♪ Take my body ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Man: Go get 'em!

My name is Lauren Spencer-Smith.

I'm 16 years old.

I'm from Canada!

In March of 2019, my life really changed

when a video of me went viral,

and it ended up getting 29 million views.

♪ The part of me that's you will never die ♪

From that specific moment on, I was like,

"That's what I want to do with my life."

I feel like I'm here to prove I'm capable of doing this,

that I'm more than just a viral video.

♪ Because of you I learned to play ♪

♪ On the safe side so I don't get hurt ♪

♪ But because of you ♪

♪ I find it hard to trust not only me ♪

♪ But everyone around me ♪

♪ Because of you ♪

♪ I am afraid ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Good. Thank you.

Good.

Katy: Wow! Lionel: That's a "wow."

It's so fabulous when they get it right.

The judges are kind of really particular.

They're looking for something special.

So I'm hoping that it was enough to get me through

to the next round.

Ryan: While the contestants wait to hear their fate...

I just want them to call my name.

I know. I'm so ready.

...the judges must come to a decision.

A couple of them really need to brush up.

She-- She's a little sleeper.

Man: Kay Genyse, Bilaal Avaz, Lauren Spencer.

Yeah, there's pro-- I think there's one.

Shannon, please step forward.

Bilaal, step forward.

Lauren, step forward.

And the front line is gonna move forward.

[ Cheering ]

♪ Yeah, and I don't care ♪

♪ If I sing off-key ♪

♪ I find myself ♪

[ All cheering ]

♪ I sing for love, I sing for me ♪

I made it to the next round of Hollywood Week.

I could not be more excited right now.

This is, like, more than I ever could imagine.

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

Bilaal: I feel, like, absolutely stoked.

That was amazing.

I'm moving to the next step

on being able to achieve my dreams

and inspire the people that I'm hoping to inspire.

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

I couldn't be more proud of myself.

I did the best that I knew that I could do.

So if that's all that matters, then that's all that matters.

I'm a little broken-hearted.

♪ Clipped wings, I was a broken thing ♪

I tried really hard.

But...

♪ You would wind me down ♪

...I'm still a star.

And I performed my butt off.

Like...I have personality.

I have that star quality,

and if this was performance "Idol,"

I would have been number one.

♪ Oh, I'll shout it out ♪

♪ Like a bird set free ♪

Ryan: They say there are two gifts a parent gives to their child.

One is roots.

The other, wings.

♪ This could be the moment ♪

♪ We've been waiting for it ♪

♪ The chance to feel alive ♪

And for many of these contestants,

Hollywood Week is a place for them to soar.

♪ And I raise my hands to the sky ♪

♪ What a feeling ♪

But ultimately, it's their families

that keep them grounded.

♪ Time to feel it ♪

♪ This is where it all begins ♪

♪ Whoa, oh, whoa ♪

This is not Santa Cruz. This is L.A.

Yeah. It's very different.

And for 17-year-old standout R&B singer Cyniah Elise,

family ties mean everything,

which is why at her Savannah audition,

she brought a huge entourage.

We pray for everybody that's performing, God,

but we ask a special blessing upon Cyniah.

Yeah. Amen.

All: Amen!

♪ This is where it all begins ♪

Cyniah: At my Savannah audition, I had close to 30 people there.

And seeing my whole entire family there,

it means everything to me.

It's like I'm very grateful to have

the support system that I have.

As you can see, my mother is right here

helping me pack.

Hi, Mom. Hi!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Hello, hello!

I'm a little nervous, but it's good nerves.

It's like, "Go do your thing, girl.

Go do it." [ Laughs ]

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ All I ask is if ♪

♪ This my last ♪

♪ Night with you ♪

♪ Hold me like I'm more than just a friend ♪

♪ Give me a memory ♪

♪ I can use ♪

♪ Take me by the hand ♪

♪ While we do what lovers do ♪

♪ It matters how this ends ♪

♪ 'Cause what if I never love ♪

♪ Again? ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Whoo! [ Laughs ]

♪ Bring me a higher love ♪

♪ Where's that higher love I keep thinking of? ♪

Got some R&B singers. Oh, man!

Don't play with that!

It means everything to me 'cause I'm a 17-year-old girl

from Atlanta.

And my dreams are coming true.

[ Laughs ]

♪ Bring me a higher love ♪

♪ Just a friend ♪

Luke is gonna challenge her.

Nevah! [ Chuckles ]

I got better sense than that.

♪ This is my last night ♪

[ Chuckles ] There you go!

♪ With you ♪

Lionel: Sing it, Luke.

Ryan: While Luke tries to show off his best Adele,

17-year-old Makayla Phillips and her mom reminisce

about some impressions of her own.

Remember when I was little and I used to do, like,

Shakira impressions... [ Laughs ]

...and Kermit the Frog impressions?

I forgot about Shakira.

Aw. Can you do a Kermit for me?

I really don't want to.

[ Laughs ]

[ Cheers and applause ]

Hi, guys! Hi!

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ And I am tellin' you ♪

♪ I'm not going ♪

There it was.

♪ You're the best man I'll ever know ♪

♪ There's no way I could ever go ♪

♪ No, no, no, no way ♪

♪ There's no, no, no, no, no way ♪

♪ I'm livin' without you ♪

♪ I'm not livin' without you, baby ♪

♪ I don't wanna be free, no ♪

♪ I'm stayin', baby ♪

♪ I'm stayin' ♪

♪ And you and you ♪ Us?

[ Chuckles ]

♪ Oh, you're gonna love me ♪

♪ No, no ♪

♪ Baby, you're gonna love me ♪

♪ No ♪

[ Scattered applause ]

♪ You're gonna love ♪

♪ Me ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Phred.

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ]

I mean...

She came on in, that one. ...you know...

She's so gosh-darn beautiful too.

She is the next Ariana dadgum Grande, y'all.

Ariana dadgum Grande.

[ Laughter ]

♪ Put 'em up ♪

Ryan: With so much talent already on display in the R&B genre,

our next contestant is hoping that a good-luck charm

might help her rise above the rest of the competition.

Ah, there's my girl!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Katy: Oh, shoot!

[ Laughing ] How are you?

Hi, honey!

Uh, I just want to say thank you, first of all,

for your time.

What is on the floor? Come on.

Ooh, ooh, yes, yes! This is my lucky box!

You guys know I sing on the trains.

Ah! Oh!

So I brought my lucky box just to, you know,

make me feel comfortable, like I'm in the train

'cause that's when I feel most comfortable singing.

Katy: Alright!

Love it! Love it!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Just Sam: I've always said I wanted to come to L.A.

to just sing, even if I just sing by the stars

and put my box out, you know?

♪ All your life, no ♪

♪ You couldn't be mad about it ♪

I flew for the first time on a plane.

[ Imitates explosion ] It was mind-blowing.

I was looking at the clouds in the air this time.

[ Laughs ]

♪ You are shining, shining, it seems ♪

Ooh!

Fancy! Wow! I love this!

This is one of the biggest weeks of my life.

To say that I am actually auditioning

for "American Idol"...

♪ And it gets you down ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ But that's okay ♪

...knowing that I'm here.

I went through security,

I got on the plane...

um...

I'm emotional because I just-- I'm so grateful.

Like, I'm so grateful. Wow.

Being me, from the projects [laughs]

this is a gift.

Well, let's talk about your audition

that got you here.

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ We will rise, whoa ♪

I think out of all the people back home,

they know that I have this gift, you know,

but I don't think they expected me

to really make it out of there.

So my entire life, my grandmother's been saying

that she doesn't believe that people like us

could have their dreams come true.

You know how we used to always say that we would be

on "The Ellen Show"?

Girl, this is gonna change our lives.

This is just proof to her.

This is more than enough proof to her that it's possible.

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ It's not what you said ♪

♪ It's how you said it ♪

♪ And don't you say you love me when you know ♪

♪ You'll regret it ♪

♪ When love don't feel right ♪

♪ We get along, get along on the outside ♪

♪ Head out the door, but our heart's on the inside ♪

♪ We're half of the same ♪

♪ Don't take that the wrong way ♪

Whoo!

♪ You know what I mean ♪

♪ Hearts ain't gonna, hearts ain't gonna lie ♪

♪ Won't do this again ♪

♪ Don't take that the wrong way ♪

♪ You know what I mean ♪

♪ Hearts ain't gonna, hearts ain't gonna lie ♪

♪ Ah, oh ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Hearts ain't gonna, hearts ain't gonna lie ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

♪ We're still standing ♪

♪ When the bones are good, the rest don't matter ♪

I came out here to have fun, and I made some money

for doing what I do every day. [ Chuckles ]

I think what she's doing

is she's watching this competition

and realizing that she needs to rise to the occasion.

Ryan: Now the judges need to make some tough decisions

for the R&B genre.

Katy: I-I got to tell you

I see one major star in here, but...

If I call your name...

please step forward.

Travis.

Just Sam.

Elijah.

Jordan.

Makayla.

Cyniah.

Front row, we don't think...

you are ready...

to go home yet.

♪ This is where we come alive ♪

[ Cheering ]

♪ Out of the shadows ♪

♪ And into the light ♪

♪ Braving the unknown ♪

♪ This is where we come alive ♪

[ All cheering ]

What?! What?!

Yeah!

One round down, two rounds to go!

So proud of you, baby. I love you so much.

Thank you. Thank you. Oh, my God.

♪ Out of the shadows ♪

Just Sam: I'm super happy.

I'm about to call my grandma in New York.

Last week, I was singing in the subway.

This week, they ended my [laughing] subway career

and brought me onto a better path.

And I'm so grateful for that.

♪ This is where we come alive ♪

♪♪

Ryan: Welcome back to Hollywood Week,

where the singer/songwriter genre

is already impressing the judges.

♪ I don't want nobody else ♪

♪ 'Cause you make me feel ♪

Wow!

Ryan: Proving themselves to be one of the most talented genres,

these singer/songwriters seem to be having an impact

on the competition.

♪ No, I don't want your body ♪

♪ But hate to think about you with somebody else ♪

♪ No, no, no ♪

[ Chuckles ]

[ Cheers and applause ]

There was some legitimacy in that.

That was artistry.

That's the guy that's gonna come in

and you're not gonna expect to win it.

It's definitely the biggest stage

I will have ever performed on.

Remember one thing when you walk out there:

Just do what you do.

Don't get intimidated by everything else.

Just make sure you do you.

Okay? There's gonna be a lot of folks

in front of you doing some other stuff.

Don't get psyched out.

♪ I keep fighting voices in my mind that say ♪

♪ I'm not enough ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

You put in a lot of time and practice on this.

You're ready as you're gonna be.

Just go out there and do your thing.

It's just the people around me

that are doing so good, and I hear them singing,

that's what makes me the most nervous.

Well, they wouldn't be here if they wasn't good.

I know. Everybody's good, baby.

Ryan: One contestant who had a really hard time

overcoming his nerves at the auditions was Francisco Martin.

I got to just go back to what happened with you

in your audition, when the judges said

some really cool things...

Mm-hmm. ...like possibly going on

to be one of the best in the competition.

That was crazy when they said that.

I did not expect that.

I came into the audition very, like,

nervous, and I had low expectations.

Are you nervous?

A little bit.

"A little bit," my ass!

I'm excited to be here.

You got to calm down.

[ Both laugh ]

I get nervous, but I don't get, like, that-that nervous.

'Cause my body was, like-- I don't know what my body

was doing, but my mind was fine.

Would you faint if I told you that you are top 10?

I would-- Oh, my...

This is what Luke thought.

Lionel: Yeah.

The-- The judges' positive feedback did make me

feel more confident, but I also still doubt myself

a little bit because, you know, it's Hollywood Week.

It's going to be nerve-racking.

I'm gonna give you a little advice

about these nerves.

You can't will them away.

So what I would suggest that you do is just embrace

the fact that you're just a nervous person. Mm-hmm.

♪ You give all that sweat and blood ♪

♪ Now you think you're gonna drown ♪

We want to take nerves and go, "Do not come with me."

Mm-hmm.

But the more we push them away,

the more they jump on our back.

Exactly. So you're like,

"Get in the backpack, nerves.

We're going up on the stage."

Yeah. "It's time to go sing."

It's like you have your own backing band.

Yeah. The Nerves.

[ Laughing ] The Nerves.

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ Ooh, you got it in you ♪

MAN: Hey!

Hi, guys.

Today I'll be singing "Hold Back the River."

Thank you.

[GUITAR PLAYING]

♪ Tried to keep you close to me ♪

♪ But life got in between ♪

♪ Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes ♪

♪ Hold back the river, so I ♪

♪ Can stop for a minute and see where you hide ♪

♪ Hold back the river ♪

♪ Hold back the river ♪

♪ Lonely water ♪

♪ Lonely water ♪

♪ Won't you let us wander ♪

♪ Let us hold each other? ♪

Oh, yeah!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you.

That's right!

That's my boy.

My boy.

Ah, it went, uh...

I don't know. I'm very half-and-half about it.

I'm-- I'm happy that it's, uh-- that I got it done,

but I feel like I should have done better.

Katy: Ah, he's so sweet.

Oh. He just needs some steerin'.

Phew!

He is nervous.

Ryan: While Francisco waits for the judges' decision,

the rest of his line gets their shot,

including 23-year-old Jonny West,

who earned a ticket to Hollywood

with his longtime girlfriend, Margie Mays,

during the Los Angeles auditions.

♪ What I want, you've got ♪

The Dynamic Duo stays together.

That's right.

♪ But like the flame that burns the candle ♪

Jonny: To be doing Hollywood Week with Margie is sweet.

She's definitely warned me about this week.

[ Buzzing lips ]

Every time, she's like, "It'll be the worst week of your life."

[ Laughing ] So she definitely hasn't sugarcoated it.

But having her tell me what I might expect,

I don't take it for granted at all.

It's super nice.

♪ You make my dreams come true ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

Nervous?

Yeah.

Welcome back to Hollywood Week,

where the fierce competition

in the singer/songwriter genre...

Great group. This is a great group.

I'm very happy about the whole squad.

...is taking its toll on Jonny West.

Margie: Nervous?

Jonny: I'm most nervous about the other competitors, I think.

I never figured that I would be in

any position like this, to be able to perform

and-- and sing in front of such a talented

group of singers and-- and artists and performers.

So I'm blessed to be here, happy to be here.

But, yeah, just got the tummy-- the tummy's going.

So, yeah.

♪ I'm going under ♪

♪ And this time I fear there's no one to save me ♪

♪ This all-or-nothing really got a way of driving me crazy ♪

♪ I need somebody to heal ♪

♪ Somebody to know ♪

♪ Somebody to have ♪

♪ Somebody to hold ♪

♪ It's easy to say ♪

♪ But it's never the same ♪

♪ I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain ♪

♪ And now the day bleeds ♪

♪ Into nightfall ♪

♪ And you're not here ♪

♪ To get me through it all ♪

♪ I let my guard down ♪

♪ And then you pulled the rug ♪

♪ I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Ryan: While Jonny waits to find out

if he did enough to sway the judges,

our next performer, Dillon James,

is hoping his journey doesn't end here.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Dillon: About five years ago, my life wasn't like this,

how it is today. I lived a very negative life.

I didn't have anything really going for me.

I lost myself in drugs and alcohol.

After high school, I really wanted to do music.

Through that, I kind of fell into the acting world

and started doing auditions down here in L.A.

♪ It's been seven minutes now since I lost my way ♪

I was doing a lot of, like, the boyfriend roles

and doing Lifetime stuff, and I got to meet Dolly Parton.

♪ Now I sink a little deeper ♪

♪ Think a little clearer ♪

Being back in Hollywood, I have a lot of

good memories here, and I have a lot of bad memories here too.

♪ Is it too late to turn around? ♪

I was making a little bit of money,

kind of started slipping up.

And every single day,

I would be using drugs and alcohol

and found myself on the street.

♪ Oh, I finally figured it out ♪

I knew I had to go this way or that way.

One way led me to my demise [chuckles]

and the other one led me to a second chance

at doing what I wanted to do and being honest with myself.

So that's what I chose to do.

Through just the help of my friends and my family,

I just really would like to show people that you can be

all the way lost, in the face of death, and still become found,

you know?

[ Applause ] I'm two years sober.

I'm doing really good. I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

♪ Is it too late to turn around? ♪

Thank you very much.

[GUITAR PLAYING]

♪ Slow down, you crazy child ♪

♪ You're so ambitious for a juvenile ♪

♪ If you're so smart, then tell me ♪

♪ Why are you still so afraid? ♪

♪ Afraid ♪

♪ And where's the fire? ♪

♪ What's the hurry about? ♪

♪ You better cool it off before you burn it out ♪

♪ You've got so much to do ♪

♪ And only so many hours in a day ♪

♪ A day ♪

♪ But you know that when the truth is told ♪

♪ You can get what you want or you can just get old ♪

♪ You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through ♪

♪ When will you realize Vienna waits for you? ♪

♪ When will you realize ♪

♪ Vienna waits for you? ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you, guys, very much. Thank you.

Very good, man. Very good.

I'm nervous, but, still, I got through it.

I'm alive. [ Laughs ]

I feel pretty good.

Ryan: With their line complete,

it's now judgment time for this group.

The winner might be in this group.

He was the biggest surprise to me.

Oh, my God, he came out-- Yes, he did. Showed up.

Lionel: The following people, step forward, please.

Sofie.

Adam.

Madison.

Now, here's what I want you to do.

I want you to, uh, write a song,

and I want the song to say...

"I made it to the next round."

♪ Would you believe me now ♪

Because...

[ Cheers and applause ]

Because you all did.

[ Cheers and applause ] Congratulations.

♪ If you keep reaching out ♪

♪ Then I'll keep coming back ♪

♪ And if you're gone for good ♪

[ All cheering ]

Yeah! Yeah!

Slowly but surely, I'm getting used to being onstage.

That's where I get nervous.

So, yeah, I'm really happy

that it's slowly fading away and that I can truly be myself.

♪ And I am finding out there's just no other way ♪

Dillon: It is one of the best feelings.

I can't stop smi-- My cheeks are hurting right now, so...

I wasn't the same person I was a few years ago,

and I feel pretty good to be doing something

positive with my life. It feels real good.

♪ Then I'll leave the light on ♪

I'm so proud of him.

He's-- Look at this guy.

Freaking hot.

[ Laughing ] Stop! He's hot.

And talented.

Ryan: So Jonny's through as a singer/songwriter.

♪♪

Ryan: Welcome back to "Idol," where Hollywood Week veteran

Margie Mays hopes to impress in the pop genre.

♪ Young girl, don't cry ♪

♪ I'll be right here when your world starts to fall ♪

Hollywood Week, Round 2.

I'm here for the second time.

This was an emotional week for me last time,

but I pulled myself back up, and I was like,

"Let's just try again. What can it hurt?"

♪ Of a place where nothing's harder than it seems ♪

♪ When there's no one else ♪

♪ Look inside yourself ♪

I'm most excited to get another chance to prove myself.

I have to be 200 times better.

♪ And you'll find ♪

I want to show that I'm a serious artist

who can make you feel something when I sing.

♪ Your way ♪

♪ You will learn to begin ♪

♪ To trust the voice ♪

♪ Within ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you!

Ryan: Although Margie has survived Hollywood Week before,

one of our judges has tips, tricks, and potions

for everyone else to make it through.

Tamara, if you can hear me,

I need some Vitamin C and some Counter Attack.

Vitamin C.

Please.

My immune system is going down.

♪ It ain't my fault that I'm out here gettin' loose ♪

Hollywood Week is survival of the fittest.

♪ Gotta blame it on my juice, baby ♪

People go down like flies to colds, to vocal problems,

to stress, to pressure.

And it is really a part of our jobs to look after ourselves.

What is that tomfoolery you're drinking?

[ Laughing ] What is that?

Grapeseed oil.

Oh, you are kidding me.

Celery juice.

Yuck! [ Laughs ]

Really?

God, what is your stomach gonna do?

♪ Ya-ya-ee, ya-ya-ee ♪

You want to ta-- taste my bone broth?

No, I'm good. Come on.

Let me smell it. It's actually--

♪ Ya-ya-ee, ya-ya-ee ♪

[ Laughs ]

Trying to keep these boys healthy up here.

Did you just poison me on national TV?

Probably. Yeah.

I feel like this happened in

"Game of Thrones" or something.

Am I Joffrey to you?

[ Laughs ]

Ryan: Hoping he's in top condition is 23-year-old Nick Merico,

who the judges met in last year's competition.

I auditioned last year, and I got through.

You're going to Hollywood, baby boy.

Thank you, guys. Katy: You're going to Hollywood!

Pleasure.

But I backed out.

I didn't go to Hollywood because I didn't feel like I was ready.

And honestly, like, I didn't know who I was.

There was a lot of regret involved in that.

And then I spent the last year just refocusing,

regrouping to come back even stronger this year.

You look very familiar.

I auditioned last year.

Yeah! Yeah, you abandoned us.

My audition went well, relatively speaking.

♪ When I think I am weak ♪

I sang okay, but they did give me a hard time.

I got to be honest with you. I don't like you.

I don't like your attitude.

And I don't really think

you're gonna make it in Hollywood.

♪ I don't want to feel a thing ♪

Lionel Richie gave me some tough love, you know?

To hear that from your favorite artist, like,

my heart sank in my stomach.

♪ Do you love me and why not? ♪

It broke my heart a little bit.

So this is now or never. This is make it or break it.

These opportunities don't come knocking around twice.

And that's definitely looming over my shoulder,

that-that pressure.

♪ If I ever leave you, baby ♪

♪ You can say, "I told you so" ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Is that any way for a man to carry on? ♪

♪ Do you think I want my loved ones gone? ♪

♪ Oh, said I love you ♪

♪ More than you'll ever know ♪

♪ No ♪

♪ More than you'll ever know ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you.

[ Shawn Mendes' "There's Nothing Holding Me Back" plays ]

I felt pretty good. Um...

There's some things I could have done better, but, you know,

I think what I did is enough to make the judges think

that I deserved a second chance and that they made

the right decision bringing me back to Hollywood Week.

♪ Baby, there's nothing holding me back ♪

Katy: I think you scared him to death, Lionel.

You really talked mean to that kid.

But you know what? He's gonna be okay.

Lionel Richie is mean for the first time.

Lionel was, like, gloves off.

Lionel: So Lionel's tough love

may have helped Nick in his genre performance.

But there was nothing but love from the judges

for Kimmy Gabriela at her Savannah audition.

[ Kimmy vocalizing ]

♪ I'll hit the lights, and you lock the doors ♪

That was great. That was fabulous.

Thank you so much.

Top 10? Oh, my God!

Just...

You've had a really good day.

[ Laughing ] Yeah, right. [ Laughs ]

I'm so curious because here we are.

It's Hollywood Week.

You had such a great audition.

Like, how do you follow up on that?

Uh, you know, I'm asking myself that every second today.

I'm a little bit nervous.

All my confidence right now is

because of that audition.

♪ If I show you all my demons ♪

Kimmy: I'm a little bit afraid that they're not gonna like me

as much this time.

They said I was top-10 material,

which I-I still can't wrap my head around.

♪ I would tell you all my secrets ♪

Yeah.

My dad is here in Hollywood.

I could not do this without him, honestly.

♪ Stay vulnerable ♪

When he was around my age, he started getting into music,

and he did a competition in Puerto Rico

that's similar to "American Idol."

And he actually won first place in the competition.

Ever since then, he was touring

and living a life of his passion.

I listen to his stories,

and I just want to follow in his footsteps.

When you're out there, you talk right into it

and you sing right into it.

Like, my brain isn't nervous, but my body's shaking.

So I'm more nervous about my body shaking

and affecting my voice, but my brain's not nervous.

But, like, I'm nervous. I don't know what's going on.

♪ I would tell you all my secrets ♪

♪ Wrap your arms around my weakness ♪

Ahh!

Oh, God, she's gonna kill too.

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ And I, I will stumble ♪

♪ And I'll fall, oh ♪

♪ I'm still learning to love ♪

♪ Just starting to crawl ♪

♪ Say something, I'm giving up on you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you ♪

♪ You ♪

♪ Anywhere, I would've followed you ♪

♪ Oh, whoa ♪

♪ Say something ♪

♪ I'm giving up on you ♪

♪ You ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Luke: Good start!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[ Cheers and applause ]

The show's over.

[ Laughs ]

No, no, no, no, come back.

Come back. We need-- Come back.

We got 165 more.

We told y'all! [ Laughs ]

We told y'all there was talent!

Congratulations. Very good. Very good.

Thank you so much! Very good.

♪ Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm-mm, mm-mm ♪

♪ Look at her now ♪

Luke: Wow.

That was good. A little busy.

A little busy at the end. No.

Kimmy: There are some things that I could have done better,

but I'm gonna hope it was enough to keep me here.

It's everything I ever dreamed of.

Girl! Get it together! [ Laughs ]

♪ Look at her now Look at her now ♪

Katy: She's a pro, and she's 17.

I think she's lying about her age.

[ Laughs ] [ Laughing ] Exactly.

The line complete, the judges make their final decisions.

Her? No.

He let me down a little bit.

Lionel: I was thinking this was gonna be his moment.

Some of you have grown, grown, grown,

even in this short time, and it's so inspiring to watch.

But unfortunately, we have to send some people home.

Nick.

Kimmy.

Margie Mays.

You're going to the next round.

♪ I'd go back to you ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Keep it up. Keep it up. We love you.

Luke: Thanks, guys. Lionel: Thanks, guys.

[ All cheering ]

♪♪

Nick: They gave me a second chance at this.

♪ I know I'd go back to you ♪

And I couldn't be more thankful, man.

This is, like, the biggest moment in my life right now.

♪ You could break my heart in two ♪

Margie: We did it!

Down one! It feels good.

I smell so bad. [ Laughs ]

Hopefully, the next thing goes smoothly,

and we can just keep celebrating.

♪ You know my thoughts are running loose ♪

♪ It's a thing you make me do ♪

You did it. Oh!

No-- No time for crying. Work, work, work.

Oh!

[ Both laugh ]

Next! [ Laughing ] Yeah!

Ryan: Welcome back to "American Idol,"

where the all-new genre challenge

is proving itself to be a very long day for the judges.

Luke: Are we doing all of these today?

Isn't there, like, a labor law

y'all are violating or something?

[ Chuckles ]

We almost-- Hello? [ Cooing ]

Hello? Hello?

Hello?

[ Cooing continues ] Hello? Hello?

Hello? You sound like a furry animal.

That's a frog.

But good thing for Luke, his favorite genre is up next.

[ Cheers and applause ]

[ Cooing ]

[ Laughs ]

My name's Lauren Mascitti.

I'm 27 years old.

And I want to be the next American Idol

because I believe that the Lord gave me a story.

And I believe that He wants me to share it

with the world through my songs.

♪ Can I get a hallelujah? ♪

Last time we saw you, you had a great audition.

You had your fiancé with you, and...

Yeah.

Y'all know Shawn.

He's-- He's an incredible songwriter.

Is he a big deal?

He's a badass.

[ Laughter ]

Now you're here,

and you're on your own a little bit here.

Yeah. It's a little different not having him here,

but he wanted me to be here and learn

as much as I could.

Feeling a little-- a little jittery, but I'm excited.

Just need to be yourself.

Shawn's not here in Hollywood Week with me,

but he's cheering me on 100 percent.

♪ I didn't mean to treat you bad ♪

♪ I didn't know just what I had ♪

♪ But, honey, now I do ♪

♪ And don't it make my brown eyes ♪

♪ Don't it make my brown eyes ♪

♪ Don't it make my brown eyes ♪

♪ Blue? ♪

[ Cheers and applause ] Very good.

Thank you. Very good.

Very good.

If she had a band that just played that thing...

♪ Don't know when ♪

She's-- She could be really cool.

♪ Can I get a hallelujah? ♪

I want to go through to the next round

because this is my dream.

I've done it ever since I was wee little.

And, you know, it's my heart.

I don't see myself doing anything else.

The thing about country people that I've realized

is that whatever happens, whether it's good or it's bad,

you guys do more than survive.

[ Light laughter ]

That is the country way.

It is the country way. [ Laughs ]

Ryan: And waiting backstage is Hannah Prestridge,

who shared her story of survival

when she auditioned with her husband

as the group Treble Soul.

♪ 'Cause it's like living day to day ♪

A recovering addict, Hannah impressed the judges

with her original song.

♪ Going through the motions, can't be tamed ♪

Songwriting has helped me focus on the good parts of my life

instead of the negative.

Instead of going to get a bottle and drink, you know,

I cope by writing lyrics and singing music.

♪ I know it's all you've got to just be strong ♪

Why do you think that you could be the next American Idol?

One, 'cause I'm gonna show

my kids that no matter what happens in life,

don't ever set your dreams aside.

You can push through and make it.

♪ But hope is never lost ♪

I'm missing my family very much.

I think the most hardest part is not being with my kids.

I'm doing this for them.

♪ Hold on, don't let go ♪

I want to show my girls that dreams can come true.

If you're down in the dumps,

it's hard, but if you're--

if you're willing to do the work,

then it's always possible.

[GUITAR PLAYING]

♪ But you went away ♪

♪ How dare you ♪

♪ I miss you ♪

♪ They say I'll be okay ♪

♪ But I'm not going to ♪

♪ Ever get over you ♪

Alright.

Very good.

♪♪

She has-- She has some realness.

Yeah.

She definitely has some realness.

She does, yeah.

There's definitely a story there to unfold.

♪ Today will be the day ♪

Hannah: I'm doing this for my kids, and I hope that what I did

on that stage is-- Hopefully God gives it to me.

Baby! Yes!

♪ Today will be the day ♪

You're my closest country friend...

Aw! ...I would say.

Wow! I mean, I-I have other

friends that are country, but this is probably

the most hours that I spend with a person

in the country genre.

Thank you.

♪ Today will be the day ♪

Ryan: Coming hot on Hannah's heels

is our next contestant, Grace Leer.

♪ My darling ♪

♪ I've hungered for your touch ♪

There are a lot of country singers here,

but me being in more of the classic country vibe

I think is gonna help me stand out.

♪ I need your love ♪

♪ Godspeed your love ♪

♪ To ♪

♪ Me ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

♪ To get a little Southbound, unwound ♪

I think it went well, yeah.

I really wanted the j-judges and everybody in that room

to feel what I was singing about was important to me.

So I hope that came through with my song.

And I know it was an old-fashioned song,

so I hope the judges recognized it.

♪ And get a little Southbound, Southbound ♪

Ryan: As the genre challenge rolls into the evening

and the country singers continue to take the stage,

it seems like Luke is finally at the end of his rope.

[ Yawning ] Yoo!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Well, they chose me, the country guy,

to do the country group. No. Really?

Yes. Wow!

Oh, my God. I can't believe it.

You guys over, take a step forward.

Middle three, take a step back.

Other three, take a step forward.

Wait, are you sure?

Are you sure for... this three?

I kind of may do it my way.

Do it your way! I told you that.

Leon, look at Grace and tell her

she's going to the next round.

Alex, look at Hannah.

Tell Hannah she's going to the next round.

Okay, slow down. Slow down.

Hannah, tell Peyton he's going to the next round.

Peyton, look over at Madison and say,

"You're going to the next round."

[ Echoing ] Madison, tell Hayden that

she's going to the next round.

Hannah, tell Cole he's going to the next round.

...next round, next round...

Hannah, Lauren, Chloe, join hands.

Hug each other 'cause...

all y'all are going through to the next round.

♪ Let me die onstage ♪

Oh, my God!

♪ Singing the last song I know ♪

♪ Let the spotlight shine the skin off my bones ♪

We need new ideas.

[ Laughs ]

Honestly, that was kind of funny.

That was actually pretty darn good.

♪ And not much left to go ♪

[ All cheering ]

♪ Till I get to the end of my rope ♪

Oh, my gosh! Our whole entire line made it through.

I can't even believe it.

Trickery, Luke Bryan.

Trickery!

♪ Well, I'm at the end of my rope ♪

Lionel: Oh!

I'm fresh as a daisy! Oh!

Luke: Alright, these are our soul children.

If I call your name, please step back.

Ryan: As the genre challenge draws to a close...

Amber. Ryan: ...the final line have

had a long day to reflect on their journey

to the "Idol" stage,

including 23-year-old Amber Fiedler.

[ Laughs ]

I mean, I might look a little different because

I definitely was 9 months' pregnant

when I auditioned in Oregon. [ Laughs ]

Katy: How are you doing?

Really good, honestly.

I-I had her three weeks ago.

Wow! And I feel really good.

I feel good.

Lionel: Very good! Yeah.

[ Cheers and applause ] Yeah!

Very good. Thank you.

It was such a beautiful moment when she came out.

And just seeing the adoptive mom hold her, it felt right,

it felt good, it felt peaceful,

and I'm really happy about my decision.

♪ Come on, skinny love, just last the year ♪

The adoptive family named her. They named her Nora Rose.

They chose Rose because of my red hair.

She's really gonna bring a lot of light

to a lot of people's lives.

And, I mean, she's brought a lot of light to my life.

♪ My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my ♪

If I'm not ready to be a mom,

why would I put her through that, you know?

♪ Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer ♪

[ Sniffles ] Sorry.

[ Sniffles ]

♪ Who will love you? ♪

♪ Who will fight? ♪

It is a weird thing going through all of this,

and I never would have thought

that this would have been my life.

♪ Come on, skinny love ♪

But I have a really good feeling

that I really am gonna help people

and help girls that are going through

what I went through.

The song I'm gonna be singing today is "Rise Up" by Andra Day.

There you go.

It's all for her. [ Chuckles ]

♪ You're broken down and tired ♪

♪ Of living life on the merry-go-round ♪

♪ You can't find the fighter ♪

♪ But I see it in you, so we can walk it out ♪

♪ And move ♪

♪ Mountains ♪

♪ We gonna walk it out ♪

♪ And move ♪

♪ Mountains ♪

♪ And I'll rise up ♪

♪ I'll rise like the day ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ I'll rise unafraid ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ And I'll do it a thousand times again ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ And I'll rise up ♪

♪ High like the waves ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ In spite of the ache ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ And I'll do it a thousand times again ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you!

I mean, there's so many talented people here,

but I laid my heart out on the stage

and, you know, um-- I did everything

that I could do the best I could.

So hopefully that's enough for them.

Ryan: There's nothing more Amber can do to win the judges' approval.

Sophia, step back.

Ryan: And next in the soul genre is Sophia,

who won the judges over right from her first audition.

The judges got a kick out of my last name.

Sophia Wackerman.

Ah. Wackerman!

Wackerman. It's a quirky last name.

Katy Perry actually suggested that I take on

my mother's last name.

You can always take Sophia Star.

Actually, it sounds really good.

Sophia Star? Yeah.

[ Echoing ] Sophia Star.

[ Record scratches ]

You know, I'm just gonna stick with Wackerman for now.

[PIANO PLAYING]

♪ When I find myself in times of trouble ♪

♪ Mother Mary comes to me ♪

♪ Speaking words of wisdom ♪

♪ Let it be ♪

Paul McCartney wrote this song about his mother

who had passed away and how he finds comfort in her memory.

And I feel that that sentiment

is really applicable to my situation.

I do find a lot of comfort

in my mother's memory.

And I want to sort of pay a little tribute

to her with this song.

♪ Let it be, let it be ♪

♪ Let it be ♪

♪ Let it be ♪

Whoa, love that.

♪ There will be an answer ♪

♪ Let it be ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Lionel: Yes, sir!

♪ Wackerman, Wackerman, Wackerman ♪

♪ Got a... ♪ Lionel: There you go.

I know you don't necessarily want to consider

changing your last name.

I think that it will work in your favor since you're so good.

"Sophia whacked it out of the park...

tonight at Madison Square Garden."

Okay, that'll be all.

♪♪

Ooh. That was so fun! [ Chuckles ]

I definitely felt my mom there with me today.

I felt everything she's ever taught me.

I hope I made her proud.

I think I did.

Ryan: Waiting nervously alongside Sophia is Jovin Webb...

Jovin.

...who also has family on his mind

as he awaits his results.

♪ Well, I know there came fire from the sky ♪

♪ To refine the purest of kings ♪

Wow. [ Laughs ]

♪ Yeah ♪ So real.

♪ And even though I know this fire brings me pain ♪

I'm doing this for my family.

I just want to show my son that you can rise

from the dirt and reach for the sky.

♪ Make it rain ♪

♪ Oh, make it rain, Lord ♪

♪ Make it rain ♪

♪ Oh, make it rain ♪

[ Cheers and applause ] Whoo!

Come on.

So real.

Ryan: Also thinking of home is garbage man Doug Kiker.

Together: You're going to Hollywood.

His first audition went viral,

reaching 200 million people worldwide.

And now he's here to take Hollywood by storm.

Look at these guys.

Let's go over here to people I don't know.

Doug. Doug.

Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.

Y'all look famous. Good for you.

God!

You want me to get everybody to quiet down?

I hit 'em with that voice.

[ Shouting loudly ] Hey!

[ Normal voice ] Please be quiet.

Boss man thank you.

[ Scattered laughter ]

[ Beep ] This opportunity--

it means more than you could possibly imagine.

Like, I can't put it into words.

Yesterday, I was a garbage man.

A garbage man. I've never sang for anybody.

I'm here to have a good time and learn.

And-- And hopefully become the next American Idol.

Lionel: Hey!

I auditioned in Savannah,

and it went far better than I could have expected.

♪ I set out ♪

Can you hit that note?

♪ I set out on ♪

And I've always loved to sing.

And I've just-- I never believed in myself enough to--

to try something, and I'm starting to become

who I want to be.

What motivates you to be here today?

I'm doing it mainly for my daughter.

I just want to prove to her, like, her daddy

is so much more than meets the eye.

♪♪

♪ Recycle me ♪

You love your daughter! I do, man.

God, I love her so much!

I see purpose in your eyes when you talk about her.

[ Crying ] I want so much for her.

Like, for real, when you have a child,

it changes everything.

♪ Recycle me ♪

♪ They say that it's insanity to stay ♪

I'm proud that you took a big chance on yourself.

Thank you.

Doug: Now I'm about to perform on a--

on a stage for the first time.

God.

This is getting-- Whoo.

It's getting real, real quick.

[ Laughs ] Oh, God.

I'm just scared. I'm nervous.

[ Crying ] Just don't want to let my family down.

At the same time, I miss my daughter.

It's just one step further to changing my family's life.

♪♪

Doug: I want the judges to give me a chance, man.

I hope that I deserve a chance.

[ Sniffles ]

[ Breathes deeply ]

Man: Go, Doug. Break a leg.

[ Heart pounding ]

[ Cheers and applause ]

Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo!

You ready?

Katy: Yeah. Let's do this.

♪ I know you wanna ♪

Oh, I done turn-- I done sang the wrong song.

[ Laughter ]

What are you gonna sing for us?

I'm gonna sing "Ain't No Mountain High."

That was the wrong song.

[ Laughter ]

♪ Listen, baby ♪

♪ Ain't no mountain high ♪

♪ Ain't no valley low ♪

♪ No river wide enough, baby ♪

♪ When you need me, call me ♪

♪ No matter where you are ♪

♪ No matter how far ♪

♪ Baby, there ♪

♪ Ain't no mountain high enough ♪

There you go! There you go!

♪ Ain't no valley low enough ♪

Come on, now!

♪ Ain't no river wide enough ♪

♪ Keep me from gettin' to you, baby, baby ♪

[ Chuckles ] Thank you so much.

[ Cheers and applause ] Whoo!

He has trouble with staying in the key.

Well, the problem is, he-- he-- because

he's singing a cappella, he doesn't understand

he's in the wrong key.

So when he starts off, he's too high.

Will we hear him with a band?

I don't-- I don't know.

I love him, but I'm just not sure.

♪ I'll be your friend ♪

Doug: Seeing all the support, I was just flabbergasted, man!

That was one of the craziest things I've ever done.

[ Voice breaking ] Being a garbage man,

and now I'm singing onstage.

I miss my daughter.

I want her to grow up and be--

have everything, have every opportunity.

This is getting too real now.

I'mma walk off now.

Ryan: It's judgment time...

Michael.

...for the final line of the night.

Back row...

...you're going through to the next round.

Front row, this is the end of the line.

[ Cheers and applause ]

So, Sophia, Amber, and Jovin are through.

But fan-favorite Doug is out.

♪ Pack your things ♪

Hello?

Doug: I-I didn't make it, baby girl.

♪ Leave somehow ♪

I could have sang better, but I may-- I messed up.

♪ Blackbird song ♪

But I think I did pretty well for it being my first time.

Like... I know that you

did your best, and I know how you sounded.

And I think you sound great,

and your daughter thinks you sound great.

♪ Ooh ♪

And you said, "You know what?

I'm gonna go do what I want to do

because I believe in myself."

That's right. And I'm glad you did it.

Thank you, baby.

That means a lot.

Doug: It was definitely an amazing experience.

A lot of firsts happened since I started "American Idol."

That's-- Thank you for that.

[ All cheering ]

But for Sophia, Amber, and Jovin,

their "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" Week

ends with a happily ever after.

Jovin: I'm closer to my dream. That's what this means, man.

Just doing this for my-- for my family, for my son.

It means everything to me.

I'm just gonna take everything I can

and-- and learn and grow,

and I can't wait to grow even more.

This is incredible.

Ryan: Sadly, not everyone's Hollywood story has a happy ending.

Like Stephen Sylvester...

I gave it my best shot on the stage, and my best shot

wasn't good enough.

...Meghan Fitton... This is the end of the line.

♪ And we're all craving change ♪

[ Crying ] I can't even talk.

♪ Tomorrow, tomorrow ♪

I'm sorry.

♪ Is better than today ♪

[ Crying ] I feel like I failed.

♪ We're all searchin' for somewhere ♪

[ Voice breaking ] I had to make it for my son.

I'm sorry.

♪ Hopin' tomorrow, tomorrow ♪

This is the end of the line.

♪ Is better than today ♪

♪ Just hold on when fear shakes you ♪

...and Gilberto.

This has been a lesson that I'm gonna take with me forever.

♪ Just hold on when darkness takes you ♪

[ Voice breaking ] Right now I just want to go home

and hug my mom. Yeah.

♪ Just hold on ♪

I'm disappointed, but I want to be a performer.

♪ 'Cause we're all reaching for something ♪

I didn't realize how much I wanted

until I had it taken away.

♪ We're all craving change ♪

♪ Hopin' tomorrow, tomorrow ♪

[ Crying ] "Idol" really has changed my life.

♪ Is better than today ♪