Original subtitles

Guys, I can't tell you how excited I am

that we're going to have a fourth judge

on the show this year.

I think it's the perfect addition to this panel.

Well, should we tell them who it is?

I think it should come from Katy.

[ Exhales sharply ]

We're having a baby!

Aah!

Oh, my God, I'm terrified!

This is so exciting.

Are you gonna throw my baby shower?

I got you handled. I got the fishin' tackle. I got ‐‐

There's no "fishin' tackle" at my baby shower.

I got all the shopping the baby will ever need.

We'll have the outdoors dialed in and Gucci shoes.

Oh! Oh, oh, oh, oh. Yes! All right, baby needs a new pair of shoes.

Does this mean your dressing room gets bigger?

Two paychecks?

Well, I'm definitely gonna get fat,

so...look forward to that!

Everything is gonna be bigger and better

on "American Idol" season 3!

We love you.

Congrats! Congratulations.

Whoo!

♪♪

Ryan: Welcome to "American Idol."

The nationwide search rolls on...

Together: We're in California! Whoo!

♪ Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me ♪

...as we unearth more superstar talent,

we have to ask ourselves, "Did we dig too deep?"

[ Music slows ] Katy: [ Echoing ] Ow!

What's wrong?

I got a splinter. You got a splinter?

I do got a splinter. Oh, yeah.

Oh, let me do it. No.

It'll take me two seconds.

Watch. ‐No! Oh, my God!

What's going on? I'm gonna ‐‐

You're crazy. Here.

I need a light. You can't even see it.

Here, here, here. I got it. I got it. I see it.

I got it. I got it. I got it. I have 20/13.

There you go.

Ow!

Oh, my goodness.

D'oh! Now you're making it bleed!

It's not bleedin'.

[ Grunts ] Ooh!

[ Grunts ]

Oh, my God, you're doing it.

You got it! [ Boing! ]

Yeah, you got it!

It was a tiny thing.

I'm gonna need anesthesia when I have kids.

Here. That was really, really small.

Well, that was like pulling teeth ‐‐

something our first contestant knows a bit about.

My name's Danny La Rota. I'm from Birmingham, Alabama.

Ah. Right now I'm in dental school

at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry.

You would trade gingivitis for "American Idol"?

[ Chuckles ] "Americanitis."

[ Both laugh ] Oh, yeah.

You're crazy.

You're not being practical.

Well, maybe not.

Okay, what are you gonna do for us?

So, I'm gonna do a little cover of "Royals" by Lorde.

Ooh, good. Let's hear it.

[ Guitar plays ]

♪ I've never seen a diamond in the flesh ♪

♪♪

♪ I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies ♪

♪ Well, I'm not proud of my address ♪

♪ Oh, no ♪

♪ In the torn‐up town ♪

♪ No post‐code envy ♪

♪ And every song's like gold teeth, Grey Goose ♪

♪ Trippin' in the bathroom ♪

♪ Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room ♪

♪ We don't care ♪

♪ We're drivin' Cadillacs in our dreams ♪

♪ And everybody's like Cristal, Maybach ♪

♪ Diamonds on your timepiece ♪

♪ Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash ♪

♪ And we don't care ♪

♪ We're not caught up in your love affair ♪

♪ And we'll never be royal, oh, oh ♪

♪ It don't run in our blood ♪

♪ That kind of lux just ain't for us ♪

♪ Crave a different kind of buzz ♪

♪ And let me be your ruler ♪

♪ You can call me Queen Bee ♪

[ Falsetto ] ♪ So, baby, I'll rule ♪

♪ He‐e‐e‐e‐y ♪

[ Normal voice ] ♪ And let me live that fantasy ♪

[ Chord plays ]

Danny, I don't know what the heck you're doing...

‐Yeah. ‐...in everybody else's mouth.

You need to shut their mouths and keep your mouth open.

[ Laughs ]

You're the most original person

this season of "American Idol" so far.

[ Chuckles ] Thank you. Um, first of all,

give us some eyes every now and then, which ‐‐

I get a little lost, yeah. I do it. Hey, I get it.

Well, I tell you what, man.

You got a really, really, like, old‐school, vintage‐y,

but almost, like, Eddie Vedder type,

but even better singer, kind of thing.

I'm gonna call off a name like Robert Plant, for example.

Yes. I mean ‐‐

Correct. But that range is crazy.

And on top of that,

you have control of that top and that bottom,

and then you have a cry ‐‐ that little growl,

that little grit, that little [groans]

that makes everything go, "Wow, what are you doing?"

Through this course, you're going to have to

carve out your identity of all of that range.

Okay. You follow me? Sure.

He is. And I'm not worried one bit.

In fact, I'm so confident,

I think we should just vote and get this over with.

And, Luke, what are you thinking?

Yes. Big‐time yes for me.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Katie, we know what you're thinking,

but we want to know what your vote is.

‐My vote is yes. ‐Thank you.

‐Yes. ‐Thank you so much.

And you want to know what my vote is?

It's a yes for me. Thank you so much.

You're going to Hollywood, my friend. Thank you.

♪ You make me smile like the sun ♪ Congratulations.

♪ Fall out of bed and sing like a bird ♪ Call dental school.

Call dental school.

Let me see your teeth. Wow!

Show him your bottom teeth.

No, look.

‐They got stuck. ‐They're [bleep] up.

That's great. Thank you, guys. Ohh!

‐Thank you so much. ‐Enjoy the ride.

Yes, thanks so much. Nice to meet you.

♪ Forget how to breathe ♪

♪ Shine like gold, buzz like a bee ♪

[ Both laugh ]

Katy said that I was one of the most original artists

she's seen all season.

So, I‐I was definitely not expecting that at all.

Stick your tongue out for me.

Being a full‐time dental student

makes it pretty hard to play music

'cause there's just really not the time.

You're on your way. Should be feeling better in no time.

♪ You make me smile ♪

Bobby: There's a lot more stability in being a dentist.

I'd probably want to do both at the same time, you know?

Just close up shop and then head to the show.

That's not how it works, though. [ Laughs ]

That's not how it works. You got to make that decision.

It's difficult for me 'cause I'm ‐‐ you know,

I'm getting close to being a dentist.

But I love the way that singing and music makes me feel.

From dental school to Hollywood. Let's go! Woman: Whoo!

[ Laughs ]

Stay with us, party animals... [ Pig squealing ]

Aah! Aah!

...for talent so good...

[ Vocalizing ]

Chill bumps all over my body.

...it's scary.

I see dead people. [ Thunder crashes ]

Are you real people?

She may be the star of the show.

Our search continues for the next American Idol.

‐I'm zooming! ‐Who's he?

I'm stumped. I am Lionel Richie,

and you are going to...

Hollywood! ...Hollywood!

[ All cheering ]

Whoo!

[ All cheering ]

[ Cellphone ringing ]

Get off the phone!

Do you know how to silence a phone?

[ Dialing ] It's making a loud noise.

♪ Do ya thang ♪

Okay, Dad. [ Dialing continues ]

Welcome back to our "Idol" auditions.

As the search continues for our next superstar,

there's one judge who seems to be shaking things up a bit.

♪ Country girl, shake it for me ♪

Shakin' that booty, baby!

♪ Packs 'em in from miles around ♪

You're a country singer. Do you know any of his songs?

[ Laughing ]

The man's my biggest idol.

Hey! Oh!

I'm super excited to meet Luke Bryan.

‐I love Luke Bryan. ‐Huge fan of Luke Bryan.

Luke Bryan's teeth are so white!

[ Ding! ] God, I wish I had his teeth!

I just want to see Luke's teeth.

[ Laughs ] Most people want to see Luke's butt, but okay.

♪ Shake it to the moon, shake it for me, girl ♪

No. No.

♪ Country girl, shake it for me ♪

♪ Girl ♪ ‐♪ Shake it for me, girl ♪

[ Southern accent ] ♪ Shake it for me, now ♪

Um, not now. [ Laughs ]

There's no words, really, to describe him

and his personality.

I do have a crush on Luke Bryan.

I love you, Luke, if you're watching this.

I don't ‐‐ I don't know the judges, really.

Um, I mean, I do.

Like, I've heard of Justin Timberlake's stuff.

So, we heard a rumor that you have no idea who we are.

Oh, yeah. I just got your names.

‐Name a song. ‐Name a song?

Name a song. From any of us.

"Cry Me a River"?

Now, who is that directed to?

Justin...

Justin? ‐You think this guy

is Justin Timberlake? ‐Wait a minute.

Wait, wait. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I'll take Justin Timberlake.

I'll take that. Oh, my gosh.

Katy: Wait, hold on, hold on, hold on.

So, you got Justin. Who am I? Who am I?

Oh, hold on. Uh, Katy. Katy.

‐Ooh. ‐What song do I sing?

Um, I'll take a stab. Is it "Chandelier" one?

Who's he?

I'm stumped.

‐Aah! [ Laughs ] ‐I know! Here's the thing!

No, wait.

I've been in the ocean every day. I'm like ‐‐ I mean, I've been ‐‐

I've been in the business 243 years!

Do you know how many awards this man has?

I mean, I was there when the dinosaurs

came through holding a mic.

You should just start singing now.

No, have you done "Wheel of Fortune" or something?

Like...

Katy: "Wheel of Fortune."

He said, "Are you from 'Wheel of Fortune'?"

[ Sloop! ] Are you from "Wheel of Fortune"?

‐[ Laughs ] ‐Oh, my goodness!

Pat. Turn around, Pat.

Nah. Nah. That's it.

I'm good right here, babes.

You all, go on. I'm here.

Okay. Hey, Lou Dawg.

‐Yeah? ‐What are you gonna sing for us?

So, this is a song called "Feel My Lovin'."

‐Oh, yeah. ‐Oh, you wrote it?

‐Yeah. ‐Oh, yeah.

‐Cool. ‐Go right ahead, babes.

♪ I hear you callin' ♪

♪ In the open ♪

♪ Seven oceans ♪

♪ But your tide pulled me back again ♪

♪ Got my lady ♪

♪ And she's saying ♪

♪ That we'll get through ♪

♪ And our love will never end ♪

♪ Even when I'm breakin' down ♪

♪ Mm ♪

♪ Or I forget your name ♪

‐Ha! ‐♪ Ohh ♪

Wow! Wow! ♪ You know I'll be there for yo‐o‐u ♪

♪ You know I'll be there for yo‐o‐o‐u ♪

Lionel, are you gonna turn your chair around for him?

[ Chuckles ] Get it, everybody?

[ Chuckles ]

[ Claps hands ] ♪ Feel my lovin' ♪

♪ Turn your chair around ♪

[ Laughter ]

♪ When we love, beloved, oh ♪

♪ Beloved, oh ♪

Katy: Alright. Dawg.

Oh, God.

Um, Justin, what do you think?

Well, I'm crying a river over here.

‐[ Chuckles ] ‐Um...

Besides the personal issues you have with him.

[ Laughter ]

Man, Lou...

Man, I think you're ‐‐ I think you almost have something. Almost.

I just don't know if it will be exciting enough

to keep people's attention for a long time.

I mean, you've really got to be multidimensional

to go a long way in this competition.

‐Mm. ‐Well, Lou, it's reminding me

a little bit of a Jack Johnson vibe.

‐Hmm. ‐And it's like ‐‐

It's a real chill, like, guitar on the beach...

‐Yeah. ‐...you know, after you've

caught a couple waves, and you're, like, just chilling.

And it feels like a little bit more of a hobby.

Mm. How much do you actually

want to do this, or is this just, like,

"Cool, ya, let's go"?

Do you want it? You know, I‐I don't know what it is, though.

That's the thing. I ‐‐ Ooh, don't say that.

Don't say that. There's like thousands of other people

that really know what it is... Yeah. No, for sure, yeah.

...and really want it. Yeah.

I guess we'll just have to take a vote.

Lionel?

Lou, I love you.

Do ya?

I‐I really think you should go and get it together...

and come back and slay us.

But for right now, it's a no from me.

Um, Lou, you definitely need a lot of work,

but it'd be fun, so I'll roll the dice and I'll say yes.

Mm. Wow! Wow!

Um, I think it needs work.

I'm a no.

♪ What's your name? ♪ Alright.

Alright, thank you. Come here, man.

[ Chuckles ] Thank you. Alright, man.

♪ I've seen you before ♪ Good luck to you.

It's Lionel. Okay, it's Lionel.

Lionel. You get out! You were messing with me!

‐Just repeat the same line. ‐Alright.

No, Lionel Richie.

Lionel ‐‐ Yeah, I mean ‐‐

‐It's okay. Don't ‐‐ ‐I know the name.

‐It's alright. ‐It's the...

It's the Afro. I cut the Afro.

Oh, that's what ‐‐

Hi, I'm Katy Perry. Katy. Louis.

Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.

Yeah. I'm Thomas Luther Bryan.

Thomas Luther Bryan. Thomas Luther Bryan.

Nice to meet you, buddy.

Nice to meet you, man. Thank you so much.

Take care, buddy.

♪ What's your name? ♪

Too bad!

[ Laughs ] He's a dreamboat.

He's a dreamboat. Oh, my God.

It's not at the level that they want right now.

It's totally fine.

♪ It's so hard to find a personality ♪ Wait, wait.

Ahh. Do you have a ticket?

No. Oh, alright.

No, I don't got a ticket.

Who'd he say Luke was?

I thought that was hil‐‐ Justin Timberlake.

Timber‐‐ [ Laughs ]

Ooh, you're having a good day!

Oh, you're good, baby. You're having a ‐‐

But look at ‐‐ What did he say to me? That you were Pat [bleep] Sajak.

♪ Ba‐ba‐da ♪ [ Laughter ]

[ Bleep ]

[ Sighs ]

Woman: Can you remember the judges' names now?

Uh, Lionel.

[ Ding! ]

Uh, Katy.

[ Ding! ] And, uh...and, and...

Joh‐‐ No.

Just‐‐ No. It wasn't Justin.

Ready for a spin at the "Idol" wheel

are two contestants who won't need to buy as many vowels.

♪ I've got that good feeling ♪

Makayla: My name is Makayla Phillips.

I'm 17 years old, and I'm from Temecula, California.

♪ Dancing like I don't care ♪

Devon: My name is Devon Alexander.

I'm 22, and I'm from Sonora, California.

I grew up in a log cabin, actually.

[ Chuckles ] In the middle of nowhere.

It was, like, miles back on this dirt road.

We didn't have Internet.

We had one TV, and we would get one channel,

which is what "American Idol" was on, actually.

[ Laughing ] So that's how, like,

I grew up being a huge fan of the show.

So, I hear that this is not your first time

to audition for "American Idol."

So, I had auditioned back in 2017.

Hi, my name's Makayla Phillips.

♪ Whoa ♪ Makayla: I happened to be two weeks too young,

which was a huge downer

because every day since I was a little girl,

I've dreamt of winning "American Idol."

I used to have Barbie dolls,

and I would pretend one was Ryan Seacrest

and one was me. [ Ding! Ding! ]

♪ I've got that good feeling ♪

Devon: I've always been a little bit self‐conscious about singing.

But this has been a dream of mine forever.

Makayla: I've been working every single day, just non‐stop, singing,

belting in my room until 4:00 a. m.,

until my parents come in and tell me to shut up.

But I'm here today, and I'm more ready than ever.

♪ Whe‐e‐e‐e‐e‐n I ♪

Thank God! Yes!

Lionel: [ Laughs ]

♪ Had you ♪

♪ I treated you ba‐a‐a‐d ♪

♪ And wrong, my dear ♪

Wow.

♪ And I wonder ♪

♪ Who's lovin' you ♪

Alright.

♪ I, I, I, I‐I‐I‐I ♪

♪ Oh, oh, I ♪

♪ I should have never, ever, ever, ever ♪

♪ Ever made you cry ♪

♪ And since, hey ♪ [ Chuckles ]

♪ Since you been awa‐a‐a‐y ♪

♪ Don't you know I ♪

♪ Sit around ♪

♪ With my head hangin' down? ♪

Whoo!

♪ And I hate to say I love you ♪

[ Chuckles ] Hmm.

♪ When it's so‐o‐o hard for me ♪

♪ And I hate to say I want you ♪

♪ When you make it so clear ♪

♪ Well, you don't want me ♪

♪ Well, I'd never ask you 'cause deep down ♪

♪ I'm certain I know what you'd say, yeah, hey ♪

♪ You'd say, "I'm sorry ♪

♪ Believe me, I love you ♪

♪ But not in that way" ♪

♪ Oh, no, you'd say, "I'm sorry ♪

♪ Believe me, I love you ♪

♪ But not in that way" ♪

[ Exhales sharply ]

[ Chuckles ] You alright?

A little shaky. I apologize. You got it out!

Nervous! [ Laughs ]

Take a breath! [ Breathes deeply ]

I literally shaved my legs last night...

[ Chuckles ] ...and I have to re‐shave them after your singing...

[ Chuckles ] ...because I grew chill bumps all over my body.

Thank you. You are top 10 in my book.

Yep, yep, yep, yep. Thank you so much.

Don't. Don't.

I thought it was a great audition.

I think you really ‐‐ you really check a box for me,

kind of like a crooner.

I kind of like your vibe, that you ‐‐

you seem like a cool dude.

So, um, yeah, I'm into it.

Me, too.

I got to tell you, I'm glad you showed up here.

The competition is coming,

but I think you're up for the challenge.

I think this guy needs a vote.

Yes, let's have a vote. Okay.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

You're going to Hollywood! You're going to Hollywood, my brother!

You're going to Hollywood. Thank you.

Do I, like, come up to you? Katy: Yeah, you come up!

Yeah, you better come break the wall right now.

Are you kidding me? Thank you so much!

♪ I said, ooh, I'm blinded by the lights ♪

[ Screaming ]

♪ No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch ♪

Yay!

I feel amazing. I feel excited.

I feel kind of nervous at the same time for the next round.

I cannot believe that this just happened.

She used to play the game. [ Laughs ]

You used to play the game?

There's a Wii game. And sing to it. Yeah, I know.

And I would play ‐‐ I‐I would be in my, like, underwear,

just, like, belting to Celine Dion.

I grew up watching this show, and I‐I'm a part of it now.

Yes! Whoo!

♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪

The talent keeps showing up there, Lionel. Why, yes, yes, yes.

I thought it was already over‐picked in Los Angeles.

Yeah, y'all bringing the heat.

Heat!

He's a country singer.

[ Southern accent ] Country singer. Um...

[ Generic game‐show music plays ] Yeah, his name is, uh, Tom.

No.

♪♪

Brown. His last name's Brown. [ Buzzer ]

♪ Can you feel it? ♪

♪ Can you feel it? ♪

My name is Mosean Wilson, and I'm 23 years old.

I'm from Springfield, Illinois.

Growing up for me was hard

because I never really had a real childhood.

You know, I always had to live faster

than what I was supposed to.

♪ I'm goin' hard till I'm gone, till I'm gone, till I'm gone ♪

I went to go stay with my grandma

when I was about, mm, about 2.

‐Your dad couldn't be here. ‐And it's so emotional.

He's here. He's here. Like...

My dad was bipolar schizophrenia.

He was really struggling with drug addictions.

Crack cocaine and heroin.

He was experimenting with that real bad.

I found him dead.

I found my father dead.

♪ Been traveling these wide roads for so long ♪

Not a day goes past that I don't think about my father.

How I caught him ‐‐ That's something that ‐‐

that will never leave your mind.

I just broke.

I just broke.

It wa‐‐ It wasn't nothing else more I could do.

♪ Oh, I wanna come near and give ya ♪

At one point in time, I wasn't going to school,

you know, and wasn't doing all the things

that I was supposed to do.

I just turned to music.

♪ Take me to your river ♪

Music just gave me something

that no one or nothing can make me feel.

Like, when I sing, it's just ‐‐ it's everything.

Mosean: I didn't think this day would show up.

And I'm thankful for y'all because without y'all,

I couldn't have made it.

You know, I've been in the gutter for so long.

♪ Take me to your river ♪

You know, and now it's time, you know,

I mean, to try to make some changes.

♪ I wanna know ♪

♪ I wanna go, wanna go, wanna go ♪

Lionel: That's an entry right there.

How are you? Doing alright.

Now we can see your face. Katy: [ Chuckles ]

I saw Mr. Keyboard Head walk in for a minute there.

Welcome to the show.

It's a real pleasure to be here.

Luke: [ Laughs ] Take it all in for about six seconds, man.

[ Exhales sharply ] [ Laughs ]

Tell us about yourself ‐‐ who you are, where you're from.

My name is Mosean Wilson. I'm 23 of age.

I'm from Springfield, Illinois.

Tell us about your growing up, man.

Uh, it was tough.

I was just an only child, so, I mean, I had nobody,

you know what I mean, to show me really too much of nothing.

You know, my dad ran the streets.

He died last year to a drug overdose.

Sorry to hear about that. I'm sorry, buddy.

Sorry about that. It's been a rocky road sometimes, you know,

but it's only what you make it.

Lord ain't gonna put too much on you that you cannot bear.

‐Right. ‐[ Snaps fingers ]

That's one thing I believe.

How old were you when this happened?

I had just turned 21 'cause I just had my baby.

She's 3. Ah. Congratulations.

Well, not too many people go through

that kind of an experience

and show up on "American Idol."

That means you've fought your way to this point right here. Yes, sir.

And through my life, I've been through a lot,

so everything that I sing about

is like it's got a reflection of it.

You know, so I want to make the people feel today

where I'm coming from with this.

We're really excited

to hear what you're going to sing. Oh, my God.

You want to take a breath for a moment?

No, sir. I just want to get right to it.

I just want to give y'all everything I got. [ Laughter ]

Let's hear it. Alright.

I'm gonna be singing a song that I wrote ‐‐ "Slip Away."

[ Blues bass line plays ]

♪ Mmmmm ♪

♪ Your love has slipped away ♪

♪ Somebody slipped away ♪

♪ Somebody, please, slipped away ♪

♪ Oh, tell me why ♪

♪ Now, just the other night, baby ♪

♪♪

♪ Thought I heard you cryin' ♪

♪ Slipped away ♪

♪ But when I woke ♪

♪ Slipped away ♪

♪ Couldn't believe I was mistaken ♪

♪♪

♪ Don't you know I ♪

♪ Held my head and cried? ♪

♪♪

♪ 'Cause I knew your love had ♪

♪ Oh, slipped away ♪

♪♪

♪ Somebody ♪

♪♪

♪ Somebody, please ♪

♪♪

♪ Somebody, please ♪

♪ Oh, tell me why ♪

♪♪

Just stop right there.

[ Music stops ]

Thank you very much. You can breathe now.

Yes, sir. [ Chuckles ]

Luke, give us your thoughts.

Mosean...

You're what it's all about, buddy.

Thank you!

We can just see your willingness to prove yourself.

[ Exhales sharply ] Yes, sir.

That's what this whole life's about sometimes.

And in my opinion, you're doing it perfectly.

I don't even know what to say.

I'm lost for words right now.

It's just a pleasure to be here with you guys

and just be able to do this.

I waited for this moment.

‐[ Chuckles ] ‐I waited.

Katy? I just waited.

Mosean, you have an incredible voice.

And I'm really moved by it.

I don't think you've ever had

the people that want to invest in you

like we want to invest in you.

Whether you know it or not, we felt you.

I don't normally do a lot of this,

but you deserve the Richie hug, my brother.

[ Chuckles ]

This is an honor, man.

No, no, no. It's an honor for us to show.

Listen, you're trying to pick yourself up, man.

You're trying to build your life.

All the mistakes you've made ‐‐ you're trying to erase them.

And your talent is your way out of all of this madness.

I love what you did.

I love who you are ‐‐ your honesty.

You're genuine.

And you've got a little family that you've started.

Yes, sir.

We are now standing behind you...

[ Chuckles ] ...vouching for you.

You understand me? Yes, sir.

And I want you to show America and the world

the you that you want to present.

Can we say it together?

‐Mm‐hmm. ‐Yeah.

Together: You're going to Hollywood!

Thank you! Katy: [ Laughs ]

♪ You are always on my mind ♪

We love you to death, man.

You know who you are. Let's just bring it out.

We'll take care of that.

Don't worry about that. [ Laughs ]

You got people for that now.

♪ You are always on my mind ♪

♪♪

♪ Yeah ♪

[ Screaming ]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

There's something about that that I can't handle now. [ Exhales sharply ]

[ Laughs ] He has got me tore up.

‐Oh, my goodness! ‐Oh, yeah.

I just thank God for this moment.

I dedicate this to my dad.

I dedicate this to my ‐‐ my daughter,

my whole family 'cause if it wasn't for them, or God,

I don't even know where I would be at.

Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood!

Here I come!

♪♪

♪ I forgot about you ♪

Luke: There's your dancers, Katy.

[ Pig squealing ] Ohh! Ohh!

Scares the hell out of me. [ Laughter ]

She may be the star of the show.

Good Lord, are we filming, like, "American Idol" Ken and Barbie?

[ Laughter ]

Oh, you're here about a girl?

It's just a man‐of‐your‐word thing.

That's a good thing. You're only worth your word.

I was in a toxic relationship for 8 1/2 years.

♪ Ohhh ♪

You're an incredible singer.

Ryan: Welcome back to the "Idol" auditions,

where, luckily for some contestants,

the judges are taking part in some risky business.

My vote is a tremendous dice roll.

Whoa! Wow!

Um, I'm a yes.

[ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ] Let's go. ‐Let's go. Let's go.

I don't know. Okay, fine. I'll roll the dice. Yes.

‐Hey, hey, hey! ‐What?! Okay! [ Chuckles ]

♪ Luck, be a lady tonight ♪

Lionel: Every once in a while,

there's something about you we can't let go.

So we try to take a chance,

and that chance could go a very long way.

It's a yes. Yes! I got it!

But I got to work hard.

We hear the diamond in the rough,

and we want to roll the dice on them.

I think that you've got a good voice.

Um, I'm just not sure.

Maybe some of them are fast learners.

They'll get into the whole thing,

and then they'll rise to the occasion.

[ All cheering ] Thank you for this golden ticket.

Thank you for taking a chance on me.

Some do, and some absolutely don't.

♪ Luck, be a lady tonight ♪

Katy? Um, I'd love to hear a little bit more,

if that's alright. Sure.

Something that pushes your voice.

You know, really digging in.

Okay. Not holding back.

Faith: Gotcha.

♪ Hey, sister, soul sister ♪

♪ Soul sister, soul ♪

♪ He met Marmalade down in Old New Orleans ♪

♪ A‐strutting her stuff on the street ♪

Stop. Yeah!

[ Laughter ]

Let's take a little bit of the hop out of it.

Okay. Sure. 'Cause it's a little bit

your short...

♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ Gotcha. Okay.

Less choppy. Gotcha.

Here we go.

Come on.

♪ Hey, hey, heeeey ♪

♪ Touch of her skin ♪

♪ Feelin' silky smooth ♪

♪ Hey, color of café au lait ♪

♪ Alright, made the savage beast inside ♪

♪ Roar until he cried ♪

♪ "More, more, mo‐o‐o‐re" ♪

♪ Gitchi, gitchi, ya, ya, da, da ♪

♪ Hey, gitchi, gitchi, ya, ya, here ♪

♪ Creole Lady Marmala‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐de ♪

Yes‐ah! [ Chuckles ]

What you got? Faith, we are trying to figure you out, girl.

What?! Okay. How can I help you?

You have something. Thank you! Thank you!

Um, but you're delivering it a little bit soft‐serve.

Okay. Yeah, what you have in your voice is character.

So much character.

You've got the character, okay? Thank you.

But you're rushing. Okay.

How long have you been sing‐‐ sing‐‐ Since I was 10. I'm 20.

So, about 10 years, now. Yeah.

You know, what's interesting about you is,

you have a natural soul thing going on just when you talk.

Yes? It all comes through in your vocals.

But it's a little cutesy. Yeah.

Right. Is it too much or too little, or...?

We want you to take yourself serious.

‐Yeah, okay. ‐Yes.

You got to get into your identity. Choose great emotional songs.

Okay. You want to blow our hair back

a little bit. You want to make it happen.

Yeah! Let's vote.

I'll go first.

I think you just need more time.

It's a no for me.

[ Whistles ]

You have this kind of undefinable "it" factor.

Hey, thank you. It's super raw.

Thank you. And, like, unpolished.

I think that you have a ton of potential.

You're a yes from me. Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Mr. Luke?

♪♪

[ All cheering ]

[ Up‐tempo jazz music plays ]

♪ Luck, be a lady‐y‐y‐y ♪

There's something about her.

She has some confidence.

That was rough.

That was intense.

Hollywood! Hollywood! Hollywood!

In music, as in life,

a memorable first impression can mean everything.

Just ask these two.

Do you want to go first? Do you want to go first? Or do...?

[ Both laugh ]

You go for it. You go for it. Okay.

Hi, my name is Kat,

and I'm gonna be auditioning today with...

Space Cowboy.

Ooh! And we're super excited to be here.

I met my girlfriend through music.

I was playing at church, and one day she saw me up onstage.

♪ Can I go where you go? ♪

When I first saw Alex, I felt butterflies.

Like, the love effect is real.

I hope he felt the same way. [ Laughs ]

♪ You're my, my, my, my ♪

Kat was really that first woman that ever was, like...

Like, I didn't know what to do.

Two left feet and half a brain.

♪ This is our place, we make the call ♪

Singing with Kat is like riding a motorcycle through California,

the sun setting in the background,

and a rainbow just ‐‐ "Boom!"

[ Chimes tinkle ]

That's it. That's it right there. Cut!

Man: Welcome to "American Idol."

How are you?

Who's auditioning today? Both: Both of us.

‐Yeah. ‐Are you gonna sing together?

Yeah. That's the ‐‐ That's the goal, yeah.

That's the goal.

Best of luck to both of us. Both of us.

And just know whatever happens, I'm here to support you.

And I love you, too.

Oh, I love you, too.

Alex: Being able to do this journey together...

It means absolutely the world to us.

It's like everything has actually led to this point.

You ready? Yeah, I'm ready.

We got this.

♪♪

Hi.

What's up? How y'all doing?

Good Lord, are we filming, like, a soap opera,

or is it "American Idol" Ken and Barbie?

[ Laughter ]

Really. Right? Space Cowboy: I guess that's a new thing.

Do your hands come apart?

I mean ‐‐ Yeah, they do, but, like...

[ Grunts ] There we go. ...it's hard.

Alright, well, you guys obviously like each other.

A lot. [ Laughs ] Yeah. [ Chuckles ]

You could say that. Who are you?

So, my name is Kat.

And my name's Space Cowboy.

Together: Space Cowboy?

Yes. What's your real name?

My real name's Alejandro. [ Laughs ]

We like Alejandros around here.

[ Chuckles ]

Cool, and how young are you guys?

I'm 19, and he's 26.

Where'd you meet?

Church. Church, yeah.

So, I‐I play at church.

Her friend forced her to add me on Instagram.

Oh, a digital love affair! So cute.

Yeah, your babies are gonna be beautiful.

[ Laughs ] Thanks. [ Laughs ]

Thank you. Oh, my God.

No, the way that she looks at him, she's obsessed.

It's good, though. You know that look of an ‐‐

of an ‐‐ of an obsess‐‐ I can't even talk.

Obsessed. Yeah, the way that you look at me.

An obsession. Oh, God!

♪ Turn around ♪ What is this?

What's that ‐‐ "Of an ‐‐ of an ‐‐ of an ‐‐ of an" ‐‐

Yeah, obviously, Elmer Fudd

can't get his freaking words out. "Of an ‐‐ of an ‐‐ of an."

[ Laughs ]

But you both want to try out for "American Idol"?

‐Yes. ‐Correct.

We have to send you separately.

We might have to break up the love fest.

Hey, the love will go on. Yeah. Always.

Or together. You may go together.

Yeah. Okay, you're gonna do something together?

Do you mind? Yeah, if you don't ‐‐ don't mind.

I'd like to sing "Shallow" for you. Don't mind. Go ahead.

[ Guitar plays ]

Just make sure to look at him

like Gaga looks at Bradley Cooper.

Oh, that's easy.

♪♪

♪ Tell me somethin', girl ♪

♪ Are you happy in this modern world? ♪

♪ Or do you need more? ♪

♪ Is there something else you're searching for? ♪

♪ I'm falling ♪

♪ In all the good times I find myself ♪

♪ Longin' for change ♪

♪ And in the bad times, I fear myself ♪

♪ I'm off the deep end ♪

♪ Watch as I dive in ♪

♪ I'll never meet the ground ♪

♪ Crash through the surface ♪

♪ Where they can't hurt us ♪

♪ We're far from the shallow now ♪

Both: ♪ In the sha‐‐ shallow ♪

♪ In the sha‐sha‐la‐la‐low ♪

♪ In the sha‐‐ shallow ♪

♪ We're far from the shallow now ♪

I love you!

Are you real people?

[ Both laugh ]

Are you crying?!

I believe in love again! Oh, my gosh!

Somebody get her ‐‐ come on, Katy. Come on, Katy!

I believe in love again!

Oh, just ‐‐ Oh, dis‐disgusting.

Oh. Just... [ Whimpers ]

Alright, "Space Cowboy" is good for an Instagram handle,

but you need to stick with Alejandro as your name,

in my professional opinion.

Nope! What?! Tell me!

Alejandro on "American Idol" has already been taken.

And he is the man. I‐I don't know ‐‐

Can you stop holding hands?! [ Laughs ]

What's your full name?

It's Alejandro Garrido Cortes. Burrito?!

Garrido. See, that's why I had to change it.

Luke: Now she's hungry! That's why he picked Space Cowboy.

Now she's crying! And she's hungry!

But if it helps, she always calls me "Alex."

Alex. Both: Yeah.

Yeah, I'm open to Alex Cortes or ‐‐

Alex Cortes sounds great. Alex Cortes is nice.

Man, that's nice. You guys are both gonna be,

like, in the top 10 if you want.

‐No way. ‐No.

Katy: Yeah! Earth to Space Cadet.

I mean, you sound like Dua Lipa.

Aw, thank you. It never happens like this,

where both people really knock it out of the park.

We typically wind up... Separating, yeah.

...separating them, and there's tears

and somebody's happy and somebody's sad.

I've never seen two people complement each other so well.

Aw, thank you. That means a lot. So, how do we vote?

We vote separately, right? Separately.

Let's vote separately.

Alright, if you guys can separate ‐‐

Sorry to have to make y'all be three feet apart. Ooh, I almost fell.

I'll go first for Kat. Yes!

I'll go second. Yes!

I'll go third. Absolutely yes!

Together: You're going to Hollywood!

Oh, my God! Thank you guys so much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Get over there! Enjoy that.

Ohh! Alright.

Get over there! Space Cowboy.

Alex Cortes, let's take a vote. Alright, Alex.

Let's take a vote.

Yes!

Yes!

Yes! Absolutely!

Together: You're going to Hollywood!

Best‐looking couple that's ever been to Hollywood. This isn't real.

Man, please. This isn't real.

You have really nice teeth! Enjoy it.

You and your whitening strips.

Enjoy it! Enjoy it! Oh, my gosh, you're so good‐looking.

Thank you, guys, seriously. Enjoy it, you two.

Just hold hands. This means so much.

Hold hands and walk down the yellow brick road. Hold hands. Do not stop holding hands.

Oh, my God! [ Chuckles ]

Oh, my gosh, they are the best‐looking couple ever.

They are so beautiful.

Both: We're going to Hollywood!

We just got to get everything that we've got, 100%.

120%.

150%.

200%.

400%.

500%.

You get the idea.

[ Chuckles ]

Back with you on our cross‐country search for a superstar,

where our contestants are bringing along

some positive reinforcements.

‐Howdy. ‐Hey, guys.

‐How are you, guys? ‐How are y'all?

‐Aha! ‐Hello!

‐Wow, what's going on here? ‐What's up?

Who's your violin player?

This is my band mate and my best friend.

♪ It just takes two ♪

This is my dad.

I'm an old goat roper from Idaho, so...

What's a goat roper?

That's a guy that ropes goats.

I want to have a beer with him.

[ Pig squealing ]

Alright, little piglet.

♪ Make a dream come true ♪

I guess let's get on with the show.

♪ It just takes two ♪

♪ One thing I can tell you ♪

♪ Is you got to be free ♪

♪ Come together ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ Over me ♪

♪ It feels like forever, even if forever's tonight ♪

♪ Just lay with me ♪

[ Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons" plays ]

♪ One made of iron, the other of steel ♪

♪ If the right one don't get ya, then the left one will ♪

Oh, my God! Yeah!

[ Laughs ]

I've never seen anyone play the violin and also pop a hip.

‐It's kind of my thing. ‐Great job.

Great entertaining. I don't even care if you have a pig.

You are a great singer. Thank you.

You brought a pig in, and you were good.

[ Laughter ] Not everyone has the chops...

[ Pig squeals ] ...to make it to Hollywood.

Hopefully our next contestant

is packing all the right ingredients.

Hey, how are you doing? Good morning!

Hey! What's your name, age, and where are you from?

I'm Tavia Smith. I'm 29, and I'm from Compton, California, baby.

[ Laughs ] I'm bringing life.

I'm bringing color.

I'm bringing joy.

♪ It takes two, baby ♪

And I'm bringing Terry!

♪ Rule, Britannia ♪

‐A little hand pound? Yeah? ‐Bang, bang?

She is my girl‐tarist and also my best friend, too.

[ British accent ] I'm really pleased to be here.

Well done, you guys. ‐Yeah, me, too.

She is fun. She is vibrant.

She's just alive.

I just met Terry!

♪ But in these times of change ♪

♪ Sisters are doing it for themselves ♪

‐She is so much fun. ‐[ Laughs ]

One, she's fun to work with.

Two, she's fun just to be a friend with.

♪ Standing on their own two feet ♪

She's my ride‐and‐die now, right?

‐[ Laughs ] Right. ‐That's how we go.

♪ Girls ♪

The very first time I heard her sing, I got goose bumps.

It was like a mix between Jesus and Fergie.

Ohh, my God! That powerful, those pipes, that sound.

I love her. I was like, "Ooh, I got to get in on that one."

I'm telling you, go Tavia.

Just Tavia. I'mma go Tavia on they butts.

Boom!

Real! Boom!

♪ Doing it for themselves ♪ Boom.

♪ And we're doing it for ourselves ♪

‐Thank you. I'll get it myself. ‐Hey, hey, hey.

Hey, now! Hey, hey!

‐Hey. ‐Hello.

Right there. Katy, I love you!

[ Laughs ] Hi, girl!

You getting some love today. I love you so much.

[ Laughs ] Lionel: So, tell us who you are, where you're from.

My name is Tavia, and I'm from Compton, California.

Compton! I love it! Yes, Compton in the house, baby! Yes!

Come on, I'm loving it! What's your age?

I'm 29 years old.

29. Yes.

And who did you bring with you?

I brought my girl‐tarist.

♪ Rule, Britannia ♪

She's awesome. I'm loving this.

Nice. Are you English?

I'm actually imported, yes. I joined the United States Navy.

[ British accent ] Imported, you see. That's why I'm over here.

‐The US Navy? ‐Yeah, oo‐zah! Yeah!

[ Normal voice ] Really, huh? How long have you guys been friends?

[ Laughing ] 48 hours.

[ Laughs ] 48 hours?

We met 48 hours. 48 hours.

We just met not long ago.

So, how did ‐‐

No, so, I do hair on the side,

and I asked one of my clients, 'cause I knew he did music...

There you go. ...he told me, "I know just the person."

And I'm like, "Wow, okay!" So, I hit her immediately.

And then I was like, "These are the songs I need here.

Can you do these?"

She said yes, and we just went from there.

And she may be the star of the show.

[ Laughter ] You're too kind. No, you're very kind.

I so love it. What are you gonna do for us?

I will be singing "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

Yes, I do know it well. Alright, let's have it.

[ Guitar chord plays ]

♪ At first I was afraid, I was petrified ♪

♪ Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side ♪

♪ And I spent so many nights thinkin' how you did me wrong ♪

♪ And I grew strong ♪

♪ And I learned how to get along ♪

♪ And so, you're back ♪

♪ From outer space ♪

♪ Just turn around now ♪

♪ 'Cause you're not welcome anymore ♪

♪ Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye? ♪

♪ Think I'd crumble? ♪

♪ You think I'd lay down and die? ♪

♪ Oh, no, not I ♪

♪ I will survive ♪

♪ Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive ♪

♪♪

Alright! Okay. Alrighty.

You know, when you have Peter Townshend

sitting over there as your accompanist ‐‐

I mean, you've got the rock moves of life in this corner,

and ‐‐ You're like ‐‐ She was like ‐‐

And I'm thinking you've got this leg. Oh, yeah.

You've got this thing. And I was like ‐‐

Get the wind‐up. Get the wind‐up! I was waiting for the wind‐up, right?

Okay, um, Katy, tell me what you're thinking.

First of all, I think you guys should take ‐‐

This should be a permanent, like, duo.

[ Laughs ] 'Cause it's highly entertaining.

Neither one of you are background.

Vocally, it was a little dicey. Okay.

It was good, and then it was ‐‐ It kind of ‐‐

She was running out of air a lot.

Something, yeah. It was ‐‐

Were you running out of air?

Yeah, I'm ‐‐

I mean, this is my first time ever auditioning,

singing, anything with anybody.

Really?! Oh, wow! Okay, that tells me a lot.

Okay. And we're 4,200 feet up in the air.

Yeah. But I love your attitude

and your approach and having fun with this.

That's what it's all about.

So, let me tell you what you need ‐‐ experience.

Just time. Your attitude is perfect.

The two of you should never part, okay?

I'm telling you. Terry.

Would you like to vote for me?

[ Laughs ] Uh, okay.

‐You ‐‐ Come. Come here. ‐Alright, mate. Come on.

Alright. Ready?

Yeah, mate.

Vote for me.

Yes!

[ Laughs ] Alright.

You got your vote in.

You can tell that it's the beginning of your journey.

And I think it just needs a little bit more work.

It's a no from me.

As much as I want to give you the path to go forward,

I'm gonna have to say no for this time around.

But keep rocking.

Bringing joy. Okay. That's fine.

Katy: Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you so much. Love you!

Love you, too. Take care, guys.

♪ I've prayed for someone like you ♪

[ Sighs ] Katy, Lionel, wrong! You did it wrong.

I thank you so much for everything.

[ Voice breaking ] I thank you.

♪ All my life ♪

♪ I've prayed for someone like you ♪

[ Sighs ]

♪ And I hope that you feel the same way, too ♪

We're gonna work through.

Yeah, we gonna come back. This is a taste.

We gonna bounce back.

That's what we call it. We gonna bounce.

We gonna bounce back.

Bounce the ‐‐ Bounce back, hey.

It is not over. This ain't over.

T&T is not over.

Pkkr!

♪ I will never find another lover sweeter than you ♪

♪ Sweeter than you ♪

♪ And I will never find another lover more precious than you ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Walkin' in LA ♪

♪ Walkin' in LA ♪

♪ Nobody walks in LA ♪

[ Horn honking ]

You know what, guys? It's so good being home. Home.

♪♪

I remember coming here for the first time.

The Commodores drove out here thinking we were special.

The first thing we said was, "We've made it."

And my expectations were absolutely wrong. [ Laughs ]

♪ I wanna tell you a story ♪

The neat thing about LA is you see these kids walk in

from so many different backgrounds.

And they really believe in their artistry.

We could really find our next American Idol in Los Angeles.

Right. Guys, let's make this happen.

One, two, three.

Together: LA!

And who better to represent

than a So‐Cal native herself?

Oh, my gosh, I've always wanted to do this.

Take one!

[ Laughs ] That was ‐‐ I'm fulfilled.

I don't ‐‐ Goodbye. I don't need anything.

♪ I feel the beat deep in me ♪

I'm Sophia Wackerman.

I'm 20 years old, and I'm from Long Beach, California.

You got the moves.

Yes! You got the moves.

We do got the moves, Ryan Seacrest.

How did you first get introduced to music?

So, my entire family is comprised of musicians.

My dad is a drummer. He often drums for James Taylor.

He used to tour with Frank Zappa.

He's a music vet. [ Laughs ]

My mother was a singer. She was my first inspiration.

She got me into singing at a super young age.

My mother used to sing in the Moody Blues.

She was a backup vocalist for Belinda Carlisle.

She had just a gorgeous voice.

♪ I lit a fire with the love you left behind ♪

My mom was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer.

♪ And it burned wild and crept up the mountainside ♪

And she ended up passing away when I was 16.

I miss my mom more than anything.

♪ I followed your ashes into outer space ♪

I used to watch "American Idol" with her all the time.

I just ‐‐ I really feel

that I'm carrying my memory of her today.

I wish, more than anything, that my mom was here with me today.

♪ I can't look at the stars ♪

But her voice is inside my brain,

saying, "Just do what you love."

Katy: Hello! Hi!

You're so happy! [ Laughs ]

Sorry. Taking it all in.

I know she would be really proud of me for taking this chance.

What's your name? I'm Sophia.

Sophia Wackerman.

Ah. Wackerman! Wackerman!

It's a quirky last name. Alright, well,

it's unforgettable. Thank you.

Katy: Tell us about who you are and why you decided

to come to "American Idol" to be an American Idol.

I come from a really musical family.

My father is a drummer.

My late mother was a singer.

Uh, tell me about your mom.

Um, so, she passed away when I was 16.

Ah. Eh, it sucked, so I ‐‐

Katy: What was her name? Her name was Naomi.

Naomi Star. And I got Wackerman.

[ Laughs ]

You can always take Sophia Star.

There you go. Sophia Star works.

I think, actually, it sounds really good.

Sophia Star? Absolutely.

Yeah, if you really want to take her on, Sophia Star.

It feels good.

All of a sudden, it feels really magical.

Just think about it. Change the name.

I will keep it marinated in my brain.

[ Chuckles ] Sophia, what are you gonna share with us?

I'm going to be singing "Water" by Bishop Briggs.

Alright, go for it. I'm just gonna kind of...

Oh, man. Oh, really? Huh?

On the old ivories!

Awesome.

♪♪

♪ Funny how a blessing feels just like a curse ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Bad love hurts ♪

♪ Somehow good love hurts me worse ♪

♪ Lately I'm mistakin' honey for the bees ♪

Wow. ♪ Havin' trouble sleepin' with you next to me ♪

♪♪

♪ I sink in you like water ♪

♪ Pray you won't pull me under ♪

♪ One look and I die ♪

♪ Heaven's in your eyes ♪

♪ Hot in the white lights ♪

♪ I dive in you like water ♪

♪ I sink like a stone ♪

That's a good song. ♪ In your water, ohh ♪

♪ In your water, oh ♪

♪ Stone in your water ♪

Mm.

Alright, Sophia Star, please take the oval.

Yes. Sophia: [ Chuckles ]

Very good. Alright, Luke, what do you think?

I think you have a very, very signature tone.

Very signature.

Very signature. Very signature. Right, exactly.

Thanks. Very mature, very professional sounding.

Thank you. I like your sparkle, though.

You have a fun, little twinkle in your eye and a sparkle.

Thank you. You mean a‐a star?

A twinkle? Ahh!

Star‐like twinkle. Zing, zing, zing.

Lionel Richie? Okay, so, we fall in love with your personality.

[ Snaps fingers ]

Number two, you walk over to the piano.

You play the piano. We fall in love with you again.

I mean, you are several different threats here.

Oh, my gosh. They all work in your favor.

And the most important one is, ah, the potential.

Yeah. And I am telling you,

if you absolutely concentrate on what you're doing,

you could be sitting around top 10...

Wow! ...without a doubt.

My goodness. Thank you. Katy?

[ Exhales sharply ] You have a really definable

tone about your voice.

There are technical things that we can coach you through

that I think will just make you a better singer.

More enunciation on your part would definitely go far.

Totally. But you have your own style,

and it's really, like Lionel says, instant identity.

Instant identity. Thank you.

And I think your mother would be proud.

Very proud. Oh, my gosh, am I crying on national television?

I don't... It's okay.

Tears for your mom is okay.

Oh, gosh. Let's take a vote

for Ms. Star.

Yes.

That's a yes!

For Naomi!

Ohh. Oh, my goodness!

Thank you so much! It's a yes.

Oh, my gosh. You're going to H‐‐

You are going to Hollywood! Hollywood!

Ohh! Very good!

She twirled! She's a twirler!

I can't stop twirling. You know what, actually...

Thank you so much.

...I want to take you outside

and show the rest of the contestants...

Good idea. Good idea. ...an example of what a star looks like.

Come on. Ms. Star.

Come on. Come on. Come on. Let's do this once.

Oh, my goodness. Yeah.

What is happening?

[ All cheering ]

♪ Ooh, heaven is a place on Earth ♪

Everyone, listen up, listen up, listen up.

This is Sophia ‐‐ last name to be determined.

[ Laughter ]

She has just gotten a ticket to Hollywood.

So, just want to let you know

that people are really good here. And showing up, so...

So, keep it really good!

That's Katy Perry! [ Laughter ]

Bring it like that... Luke: Yes.

...and we've got the best show on Earth.

[ Cheers and applause ] Sing good. It makes our job way more fun.

[ Laughs ]

Today I was really holding my mother in my heart,

and I feel her with me right now.

And I feel her holding this golden ticket, as well.

Sophia Star.

I'm a momager by heart.

Stop!

♪ Ooh, heaven is a place on Earth ♪

[ Crow cawing ]

[ Grim music plays ]

[ Thunder crashes ]

Welcome back to Savannah.

[ Wolf howls ]

Its dense history has given it the reputation

of being one of the most haunted cities in America.

You liking Savannah?

Savannah's very haunted.

You know, we went on a ghost tour.

Oh, did you see any ghosts?

I did take a couple pictures, and I saw a little orb.

This is white sage that's bundled up.

We use it just to cleanse the air.

They say if you don't like the scent,

then you have some inner demons.

Oh. Demons! They're coming out!

Katy? I'm scared.

Hey. It's spooky.

It's like...

[ Thunder crashes ]

[ Wanda Jackson's "Shakin' All Over" plays ]

Luckily, the mediums have arrived in a big way.

♪ Quivers down the backbone ♪

Jimmy: I'm Jimmy Levy.

I'm 21 years old, and I'm from Miami, Florida.

Man: Here is your official "American Idol" sticker.

[ All cheering ]

I come from a psychic family.

♪ Shakin' all over ♪

My grandma was the number‐one psychic in the world.

Her name was Micki Dahne.

My mom is a clairvoyant.

So, that's where you see the future.

Me? I see dead people.

[ Thunder crashes ]

What's my future look like? Yes. Psychic advice.

Jimmy, get out of here.

So, what's gonna happen?

Give me the next ‐‐ You're going to Hollywood.

Well, I've been there. Yeah.

Where am I going after that?

Florida.

Florida. Great.

Good for taxes. Alright.

[ Chuckles ]

So, Jimmy, do you have a gift, as well?

I see ghosts.

Right now?

I don't see a ghost right now,

but Savannah has a lot of spiritual...

There are spirits. Yeah, there's a lot.

I don't want to follow in the psychic footsteps,

even though I have the gift

and it's probably gonna be there forever.

I want to do full‐time music.

Let the three spirits guide you the right way ‐‐

the judging spirits of "American Idol."

I send you, my son.

[ Indistinct whispering ]

Katy: [ Chuckling ] Hello!

What's your name?

My name is Jimmy Levy.

Awesome. And tell me about your life.

I grew up in a psychic family.

Okay.

And my mom was in "Ripley's Believe It or Not!"

when she was 13.

And I see ghosts. [ Chuckles ]

Do you?

Yeah, that's what I got out of it.

Okay, so, what do you see when you see ghosts?

Sometimes, like, I'll see, like,

a flash or, like, a portal.

It used to scare me. Now it's, like, very normal.

You believe in all that stuff?

Maybe.

Scares the hell out of me.

[ Laughter ]

Is your mom here?

Yeah, my mom's here.

Can she come in?

Yeah. Okay.

I need to protect myself right now.

I'm about to speak in tongues.

They want to talk to her.

Oh, Lord. Okay.

Hi.

Hello, Mama. What's your name?

I'm Jill Dahne. Nice to meet you.

Hi, Jill Dahne.

I'm Katy, this is Lionel, and this is Luke Bryan.

But you already knew that.

[ Laughter ]

First of all,

you need to start juicing.

Juicing?

Even though it's a long life for you... Huh.

...but I want you to change your diet.

How's my mind doing?

Your mind ‐‐ You have so many people around you,

and there's gonna be two siblings coming.

Two. And it's like a St. Christopher that watch over you.

Uh, what's your cellphone number?

Right. Very good. Very good.

You're an old soul.

Yes, ma'am. Yes, and you met your soulmate.

Oh, thanks.

Me.

[ Laughs ]

Well, you're all soulmates in another lifetime, right?

Ryan: Well, our spiritual leader,

I'm gonna ask you to come outside with me

as they carry on with the auditions.

Hey, if you want to give me that, um, purse as a gift...

I'll give it to you. It's yours.

That purse was blessed by St. Rodeo Drive.

[ Laughter ]

I love you. I love you. That was special.

That was special.

Okay, well, what are you gonna sing?

"The Wicked Game," by Chris Isaak.

Okay, cool. Very good.

♪♪

♪ The world was on fire ♪

♪ And no one would save me but you ♪

♪♪

♪ It's strange what desire will make foolish people do ♪

Alright, Jimmy.

What are you doing here? Jimmy: [ Chuckles ]

So, I don't know if I developed it for,

like, a safety net or whatever,

but I always do this.

It, like, helps me hear clear in, like, the note. Sure.

Okay. I think you're really nervous.

Yeah.

Like you've seen a ghost. [ Chuckles ]

Let's hear something a cappella.

Um... "Nobody Love"?

Alright. "Nobody Love" by Tori Kelly.

Sure, yeah.

Great. Good. Alright.

♪ Everybody's talkin' 'bout the next thing ♪

♪ Feels like everyone is givin' up ♪

♪ All we really need is to pay attention ♪

♪ Bring the conversation back to us ♪

♪ I should be more cynical ♪

♪ And tell myself it's not okay, yeah ♪

♪ To feel this way when I'm with you ♪

♪ Try my best to fight it ♪

♪ Say I hate you, but I always stay ♪

Yep.

♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love like you do ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love like you ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love like you do ♪

Come on!

♪ Ain't nobody love ♪

♪ Ain't nobody love like you do ♪

Much better.

Thank you.

Just got to get out of your head.

I could hear your heart beating over here.

[ Chuckles ]

Ryan: Nervous? So nervous for him.

I have my friends above,

Phoebe Snow and Luther Vandross, watching him right now.

You could be a badass.

Could be.

You really could.

When you get to that growl and that high‐level angst,

I mean, it's a good thing.

And I don't think you're gonna

be able to sing a whole career your whole life

doing this.

I think you've got to ‐‐

on the big moments, you've got to lean on that.

I mean, my crutch was just shake my ass to the front row...

[ Laughs ] ...and a bunch of people start screaming for some reason.

But, anyway, go ahead.

You are a frontman of a great alternative band.

I mean, you've got a voice that can actually go there.

You know what I'm saying?

And you have the mystique and the curiosity

that makes me go, "Oh, this guy's really authentic,

and this is who this guy is."

Okay, well, let's take a vote.

Jimmy, you're gonna be a lot of work,

but you have an interesting voice.

I'm gonna give you a yes.

Thank you.

[ Chuckles ]

Luke?

I got to go with my gut on this.

Yes. What?!

[ LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" plays ]

Yes!

Wow! I thought you were on the fence.

[ Chuckles ]

Okay, Lionel.

Yes.

Thank you.

You're going to Hollywood, Jimmy. You're going to Hollywood.

[ Laughs ]

Great job. Yeah.

Lionel: Congratulations. Alright.

Very good. Alright?

Thank you guys so much.

There is white magic and there is black magic,

and both can work.

And you don't want to be a part of it.

It is crazy.

She did get the two angels of my brother and sister.

No, no, no, she nailed that.

And she said "St. Christopher,"

and my brother's name was Christopher.

[ Laughs ]

[ All cheering ]

You got the ticket!

My mom saw me getting this seven years ago

and we just went to audition

and now it happened, so she was right.

Look at this!

Let's get ready to party!

Look at this. The fog machine.

Oh, my gosh.

[ Muffled ] ♪ Put your hands up to the sound ♪

I never get to get out like this.

Jill: We're gonna take him back to Florida.

♪ Party rock is in the house tonight ♪ ♪ Whoo ♪

♪ Everybody just have a good... ♪

Ryan: Well, I guess I'm off to Florida.

♪ Put your hands up ♪

♪♪

Well, I took Sunset to the 101

to the 110 to the 10,

exit Grand Avenue,

and it's a beautiful day here in downtown LA.

Will a star be born here in the City of Angels?

Olivia: My name is Olivia Ximines.

I'm 16 years old, and I'm a junior in high school.

Hey! Wow!

Olivia: I'm on the Orange Vista dance team.

There's your dancers, Katy.

When I was in 9th grade, I was actually really shy and timid.

My dance team definitely helped me with my confidence.

Hey, hey, hey!

Olivia: It means the world to have them supporting me today.

They just bring good energy and good vibes with me,

and I love it.

Keep it PG, let's go.

♪ Hah, hah, uh, lah ♪

[ Applause ]

Love it! Thank you!

When you make it, there's your dancers.

[ Laughter ]

I mean, honestly, if you can't sing,

I got some spots to fill.

She sings! She sings!

Okay, well, we don't know that yet!

Alright.

Well, that was absolutely special.

So, what are you gonna sing for us?

I'm gonna be singing "Language" by Tori Kelly.

Okay. It's all yours.

Thank you.

[ Guitar chord plays ]

♪ Let me choose ♪

♪ My words real carefully ♪

♪ 'Cause I don't wanna say ♪

♪ Something I don't really mean ♪

What in the world?

♪ I just wanna love you ♪

♪ Love you, love you, love yo‐o‐o‐u ♪

♪ Real goo‐o‐o‐o‐d ♪

Come on.

♪ Don't hear me wrong ♪

♪ I know I ain't perfect ♪

♪ Please just hang on ♪

♪ I'm putting that work in ♪

♪ Leave your pride ♪

♪ I'll leave mine ♪

♪ Lord knows I need patience with you ♪

♪ It's gonna be worth it when it's over ♪

♪ I'm tryna learn your language, sugar ♪

♪ So I can love you, love you, love you good ♪

Hey! Okay! Alright!

By the way, if you could just see the expressions

on your friends' faces...

Yeah, who is more nervous?

You guys or her?

Yeah, right?

No one was breathing over here, right?

They were just going...Okay.

That was fantastic.

Yeah, Olivia, I think you have a phenomenal voice on you.

You can hear that you are 16.

That's okay.

You are a delight.

You have such a joy and a positivity around you.

It's emanating from you.

If you're making mistakes singing,

it's because you're, like, this ‐‐ you're just a kid.

Mm‐hmm. But don't lose your little sparkling aura that you have.

It's like Brandy.

Like, young Brandy.

Thank you.

So, I cannot wait to vote.

Luke, what is your vote?

Yes.

Katy, what is your vote? Yes, ma'am!

I am Lionel Richie, and it's a yes!

[ All cheering ]

You are going to...

Hollywood! ...Hollywood!

Thank you so much.

Please, come, right here, alright?

[ All cheering ]

[ Laughs ]

[ Girls cheering ] What do we hear?

Screaming.

♪ I think I need a wash rag, perspiratin' ♪

♪ Gimme that sweet tea, you think I'm playin' ♪

♪ I need it all night, no sleep ♪

I'm feeling really great right now.

I'm gonna cry. Whoo!

You did it. We did it. The whole team did it.

Everybody.

♪ I am free, yeah, yeah ♪

Olivia: I cannot wait for the future

to see what this golden ticket brings.

[ Cheering ]

Marna, good to see you.

You have beautiful eyes, Ryan.

Thank you. I mean, did your mom give those to you?

Because they're gorgeous.

Somebody. I think she was around.

Okay. They're good. [ Laughs ]

My name's Marna Michele.

I'm from Costa Mesa, and I'm 27 years old.

I have daydreamed about getting a golden ticket since I was 12.

This is where my future starts.

I truly believe that.

I feel like Kelly Clarkson.

Do I look like Kelly Clarkson?

Sitting down?

When did music start to play

a significant role in your life?

Sixth grade. I was 12.

And I was like, "Oh, I'm good at it,"

and I really liked the attention I got

'cause it wasn't negative ‐‐ it was positive.

Growing up was ‐‐

It's so funny 'cause I try to, like, make it seem

like it was not hard and it was just ‐‐

"It's like whatever." But it wasn't "whatever."

♪ Have a little faith in me ♪

I was born with a disability called arthrogryposis.

My muscles are basically just too weak for my body,

and my joints are really stiff.

So I can move, I can feel.

I just cannot walk, and I can't lift my arms above my head.

I live a very full life.

I have a job. I'm a secretary.

I drive my own car. I cook. I clean.

It's everything that my parents weren't expecting

because they were told not to.

And I would not change it for the world.

I love my disability.

♪ Have a little faith in me ♪

[ Laughs ]

You worked really hard for this.

And I'm very proud of you, sweetheart. Well, it's cool to have, like, a really supportive mom.

And then a really supportive boyfriend.

So, I'm really happy you're both here with me.

Growing up, I never had somebody that was in a wheelchair

who I looked up to.

My closest person that resembled me when I grew up ‐‐

'cause I used to wear leg braces and walk with them ‐‐

was Forrest Gump.

♪ Have a little faith in me ♪

I want to be that inspiration

for the little girl or little boy that's looking at the TV

going, "Well, where am I?

How am I being represented?"

And I think it's time that someone is an American Idol

who, you know, isn't perfect.

I have very many flaws,

and I think that I would make a really good American Idol

because of that.

Luke: How are you?

I'm so good.

Tell us about your life. Tell us about you.

So, I was born with a disability called arthrogryposis.

It's a muscle and joint disorder.

I can't high‐five you. Right.

But I can fist bump.

And then I just can't, like, get out of this chair

and, like, run and skip and do things.

But it's like my best friend.

It gets me to and from where I need to go.

Katy: So...

What's happening? Ohh!

Oh, my God! Those are so cute! Thank you.

Fist bump! Boop, boop!

Proud of you! Thank you!

[ Laughs ] Ohh.

Oh, my gosh.

Got it?

You guys are all beautiful humans.

[ Chuckles ]

So, give it to us. Okay.

[ Lady Gaga's "Million Reasons" plays ]

♪♪

♪ You're giving me a million reasons to let you go ♪

♪ You're giving me a million reasons to quit the show ♪

♪ You're giving me a million reasons ♪

♪ About a million reasons ♪

♪ Giving me a million reasons ♪

♪ I bow down to pray ♪

♪ I try to make the worst seem better ♪

♪ Lord, show me the way ♪

♪ To cut through all that worn‐out leather ♪

♪ I've got a hundred million reasons to walk away ♪

♪ Baby, I just need one good one to stay ♪

Luke?

Yeah, um, you've got an incredible range.

And I just want you to have a little more

cry in your voice, maybe, too.

When she ‐‐ Yeah, when she's doing the [wails]

♪ Whaa‐va‐da ♪

I mean, you know, just really dig in.

Yeah.

I have a suggestion. Yes, sir.

I noticed you can't wait to get to the [snaps fingers]

Where's that high note?

When actually, I want you to concentrate on

the story you're telling

because it becomes flat in terms of the emotion,

the feeling.

I just want one ‐‐ little bit more exercise.

Yes.

Singing the...

♪ I bow down to pray ♪

Can you do it for me a little bit?

♪ I bow ‐‐ ♪

Don't need to scoop that much.

Don't scoop it. Yeah, don't scoop it.

♪ I ♪ ♪ I ♪

[ Laughs ] I don't know.

Do your version of it.

♪ I bow down to pray ♪ Look. See, her face looks like it's in pain.

♪ I bow down to pray ♪

There it is! That just changed everything about you.

The whole thing! Yeah?

You guys really do teach, and I love it.

Hey, we try.

Let's vote, you guys.

Luke?

Yes.

Wow.

Kay‐tay?

You really aced that exercise.

It's a yes.

Wow!

You have a big, ol' yes from me.

You're going to Hollywood.

Thank you, guys. [ Laughs ]

Thank you so much! [ Laughs ]

I'm zoomin'!

Man, she flew up here! [ Laughs ]

Right there! Thank you so much!

Boom! Boom! And, boop!

[ Laughs ]

Thank you so much.

And I'm really gonna take what you said to heart,

and I'm gonna practice my little heart out.

I promise. Yeah, we are going to treat you the same.

Yes, please.

And put the same pressure on you. Yes.

And as per that exercise, you're gonna do just fine.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Have a good night. Take care.

♪ I am who I'm meant to be ♪

So good.

♪ This is me ♪

♪ Look out 'cause here I come ♪

This is amazing. It's the best experience so far in my life.

♪ This is me ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

Aah!

Ryan: The golden ticket to Hollywood!

You did it! I did it! [ Laughs ]

She got it. And I didn't just do it.

I got a vocal lesson in there by Katy Perry.

I'm going to Hollywood!

[ Laughs ]

♪ And reaching for the sun ♪

I've always wanted to say that!

♪ Yeah, that's what we've become ♪

Guys, I'm on "American Idol."

Aah!

We're going to Hollywood!

This is it. My time is now.

♪ This is me ♪

Zack: I'm Zack Dobbins, I'm 18 years old,

and I'm from Clay, West Virginia.

♪ If you're travelin' in the north country fair ♪

I like Clay a lot.

We don't have a big town.

♪ Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline ♪

I don't know, it's just home.

There goes some of my family.

Around here, you know, everybody knows everybody

by their exhaust 'cause nobody has one.

[ Engine revs ]

Try to be careful.

And then I have Loretta.

This is Loretta. She's a '93 F‐150.

I was literally in the woods for three hours last night,

stuck in the middle of nowhere.

I went down into a hole.

And then the bumper hit.

So I just dumped the clutch in second and let her eat.

And then here we are.

That's why she's so muddy.

♪ If you go when the snowflakes storm ♪

I grew up on music 'cause my grandpa played bluegrass.

And then my dad played.

Music is a passion.

You just got to do what you like.

And if nobody likes it, then that's too bad 'cause you do.

What are your thoughts if you make it to the next level?

What are your thoughts about being in Hollywood?

Never been to Hollywood.

Never flown on a plane.

Are you excited about that opportunity? Yeah.

I didn't know what this was all for.

I thought it was for, like, a plaque or something at the end.

I was very confused.

Yeah, you get a recording deal and...

Yeah, that really sweetens the deal.

Yeah, makes it more than just for fun. Yeah.

♪ So, if you're travelin' in the north country fair ♪

I don't wear, like, fancy clothes or anything.

If I go and got big and famous,

I'm gonna have, like, a single‐wide trailer

on an acre of land

that's all flat, so I can just run the mower back and forth.

And I'd still have the same truck.

It just runs a little better.

Luke: What's up?

Oh, nothing.

Just singing a little bit of music.

Are those ski goggles on your head?

Uh, I mean, they're dirt bike goggles, but same difference.

[ Laughs ] They're the same thing. Right.

Dirt bike goggles.

I miss that.

Tell us who you are.

Well, I'm Zack Dobbins.

I'm 18, from Clay, West Virginia.

What do you do in Clay?

I was paving roads out of town,

but I made a promise to be here,

and here I am.

Katy: Who'd you make a promise to?

A girl.

Ooh! Ah!

Oh, you're here about a girl.

Zack: Oh, no, no, no, no.

This is one of them things ‐‐ she ain't about me no more.

You trying to win her back?

No.

[ Laughter ]

It's just a man‐of‐your‐word thing.

That's a good thing. You're only worth your word.

Okay. You gigging out any?

You playing any shows?

I'll go to open mics and stuff

'cause I said unless I can make it into a living,

I don't want to make people pay to have a good time.

It's hard to explain.

We get it.

Well, what you gonna sing today?

Well, I guess I'll sing a song I wrote.

It's called "Misuse."

"Misuse." Alright, let's hear it.

Ugh. Well, I sang two times this week,

and that was just, like, five minutes ago.

So, we'll see how this goes.

[ Exhales sharply ]

[ Guitar plays ]

Yeah.

Hold on.

Yeah, yeah, there you go.

Keep playing.

Oh. Okay.

Now, hit the top note.

[ String plays out of tune ] Lionel: Unh‐unh.

Now hit the whole chord.

[ Chord plays in tune ] That's it.

Yeah, that's it. Good. I like that, Luke. Very good.

That's what you get when you're in the business.

It took 20 years to get that ear.

[ Guitar plays ]

♪♪

♪ Traded my last memory for a bottle of whiskey ♪

♪ Traded my last dollar chasin' that high ♪

♪ And I don't know why I'm tryin' to hide it ♪

♪ Oh, I ♪

♪♪

♪ After you left that day, I lost my heart ♪

♪ I tried to hold it in, but I'm still cryin' tonight ♪

♪♪

Lionel: [ Chuckles ]

♪♪

♪ And I don't know why ♪

♪ I'm tryin' to hide it ♪

♪ I'm still flyin' far away ♪

♪ I'll break myself down ♪

♪ I won't mess around ♪

♪ Till that sunny day comes around ♪

♪♪

I didn't know how to cut it off.

[ Chuckles ] You know what I'm saying?

Just cut it wherever. I don't care.

I'm so fascinated in your character.

There's something very special about ‐‐

I don't know ‐‐ the words.

You know, I don't know.

Do you know the term "vibrato"?

No. I don't know nothing about singing.

Other than I like to do it.

[ Chuckles ]

Zack, I don't think you know what you're doing.

I don't think you need to know what you're doing.

You've got a sound.

You're so authentic.

Yeah, a lot of these people out here, they're polished.

They've been to some fancy school.

They know blah, blah, blah.

They can't sing half as good as you.

Thank you. It means a lot.

Let me tell you what you did

that was fabulous for me.

You're giving us heart and soul and real,

and you just stayed being like you.

Well, Zack, we're gonna teach you

a little bit about singing along the way.

Mm‐hmm. I don't want to change you.

We might have to get you a little ‐‐

I saw your fingernails.

We got to get that asphalt out of your fingernails.

Oh, no, that's from working on the truck last night.

[ Laughter ]

I'm just playing. It's awesome.

Let's vote, you guys. I'm excited about this.

Luke?

Yes.

Katy?

Yes.

Get your seatbelt buckled.

It's a yes from me. You're going to...

...Hollywood! Hollywood! Hollywood!

Come on up here, man.

Hang on, I got to...

Can you believe it?

No, not really.

Okay, well, it's happening.

I know I'm not seeming excited, but I'm just, like, very...

Lionel: No, it's good.

Keep working on that truck.

I will.

Lionel: We love you, man.

It's happening.

Congratulations. Woman: [ Cheers ]

He's going off to Hollywood.

He was perfect. He was a diamond in the rough!

I mean, he's still in the rough.

So, the next step is you singing in California ‐‐

Hollywood, California.

Yeah, riding a plane for the first time.

You think you want an aisle seat or a window seat? Aisle seat.

You don't want to climb over people to go to the bathroom.

Oh, look, you've given it some thought.

Alright, good.

I quit my job over this, like, promise.

That's the only reason why I did "American Idol,"

was over a promise to someone.

'Cause I keep my word.

But this is what a promise gets you.

And hard work, I guess.

Katy: He just is, like, untouched.

But you want to hear...

That voice. ...what's about to come out.

You feel like you're fixing to get an education

into a world you don't know anything about.

Yeah. That's great.

Exactly that.

♪ Country roads ♪

[ Truck engine rattles ]

♪♪

So far, I think we have found some amazing talent.

Congratulations on that.

Katy: There's a lot of real musicians

and a lot of artists.

I'm excited to see what's next.

Hi.

Hello.

How are you guys?

Who are you?

My name's Ren Patrick.

I'm 26, and I'm from Cypress, Texas.

Tell us about your journey to get here.

Wow, honestly, I feel like it chose me.

I wasn't expecting this at all.

[ Noah Cyrus' "July" plays ]

Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be a singer.

But I was in a really unhealthy,

toxic relationship for eight and a half years.

♪ I've been holding my breath, I've been counting to 10 ♪

♪ Over something you said ♪

I was with someone that would say I was, like,

worthless or garbage.

Oh, God.

This sucks.

Sorry.

♪ I'm afraid of change ♪

I was with him since I was 17.

I didn't know it was wrong 'cause I didn't know any better.

It got to a point where he went too far,

and I finally, like, opened up to people I love

that showed me it was wrong,

that I deserved so much better and so much more.

♪ So, tell me to leave ♪

♪ I'll pack my bags, get on the road ♪

I just packed up everything I could into my car, and I left.

I moved from LA back to Houston to be with my family.

[ Laughs ]

I lost so many years with my family

that I can never get back.

[ Voice breaking ] All the phone calls I screened of my mom's

'cause he was there.

He didn't like her.

[ Sighs ] God.

My mom's my best friend, you know?

So it's, like, really freakin' it sucks.

I feel like this is the right time now.

My mom is the one who said, "Let's go on a girls' road trip.

Let's audition for 'Idol.'

It doesn't matter what happens. Just try your best."

I love you.

I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am for my mom.

I am so excited to see what lies ahead for me

and where my life is gonna take me

because now I know that nobody and nothing can hold me back.

I feel so strong because of it,

and I wouldn't change it for the world

because it made me who I am, so...

Well, I'm glad that you've put some glasses on.

You helped me do that, Katy.

I actually went to one of my first Hollywood parties

about seven years ago,

and we were having a pretty nasty argument.

And you walked by and you were like,

"Ugh, girl, dump him."

Luke: [ Laughs ] Under your breath.

I swear. And I was like...

Sounds like ‐‐ Sounds about right.

Really? I was so embarrassed.

I barely told anyone, honestly.

But it took me seven years, but I took your advice.

Honestly, I'm so much happier now.

I feel like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders.

Well, you know what?

I'm glad I said whatever I said a long time ago.

Alright, well, Ren, what are you gonna sing for us?

I'm gonna sing "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn.

Great. I love that song.

Ren: Okay.

Um... [ Clears throat ]

[ Sniffles ]

Sorry.

♪♪

♪ Somebody said you got a new friend ♪

♪ Does she love you better than I can? ♪

♪ A big black sky over my town ♪

♪ I know where you're at, I'll bet she's around ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Yes, I know it's stupid ♪

♪ I just gotta see it for myself ♪

♪ I'm in the corner ♪

♪ Watching you kiss her ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

Hmm!

♪ I'm right over here ♪

♪ Why can't you see me? ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ I'm giving it my all ♪

♪ I'm not the girl you're taking home ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ I keep dancing on my own ♪

♪♪

[ Chuckles ]

Well, I don't know about you, but music, for me,

is the best therapy.

And it gets me through everything.

And when I was younger,

before I started writing my own songs,

I would hear a song and I would be like,

"Oh, my gosh, this is exactly what I'm going through!

I'm so glad I'm not alone in this world."

Yes. And you're not alone in this world.

[ Chuckles ]

Luke?

Well, if you were with a guy that didn't encourage you

and didn't tell you you were great,

he's just a bad dude.

And I'm glad you're away from him.

'Cause you're an incredible singer.

You're an incredible singer.

And... I'm sorry.

[ Sniffles ] Thank you so much.

You're an incredible singer.

And you're in our little space now,

and I'm very excited about that.

Thank you so much. Great job.

Lionel?

As my grandmother used to say,

the best form of revenge is success.

You've got an instrument.

We're gonna see just how far

that instrument will take you.

I'm very happy to have you on board here.

Thank you so much.

Katy?

Wow.

I believe in you.

We believe in you.

And you're singing with your heart.

And a lot of people that are watching,

their hearts have been broken.

And they're seeing you as maybe somebody, you know,

that they can look up to

to get out of whatever situation they're in right now.

[ Sighs ] Thank you so much.

Thank your mom.

Oh, every day. Every day.

Your mom knows best.

Of course she does. She always did. [ Chuckles ]

Well, first of all, I think we got to give this to her mother.

Ohh! Where is she?

She's out there.

Bring her out. I think you might want to bring her.

Meiling?

Meiling? Meiling?

[ Laughs ] Come here, Meiling.

Ren: Look at her shirt. She made these.

She's so proud of them.

She made them for everyone that came with me.

Lionel: Hi, love.

Oh, my God.

This ticket... Oh, my God!

...I'm gonna give it to you.

You saw her go through all that and you believed in her

and you helped pick her up.

Come here.

I knew it. I'm so proud of you.

♪ To love, love, yeah ♪

♪ To love, yeah ♪

I don't know why I always cry when moms go.

[ Sobbing ]

I love you so much.

Wait, have we ‐‐ We haven't really done it properly.

Done what?

Oh, this is yours. No, that's yours.

No, that's yours. For bringing her.

That's right. Now we have to do it officially.

Okay. [ Gasps ]

Together: You're going to Hollywood.

[ Laughs ]

♪ You're going to Hollywood ♪

♪ You're going to Hollywood ♪

When I think about the life I was living

and how I felt ‐‐

gosh, like, I don't even recognize that girl, you know?

And now I get to, like, look in the mirror

and be proud of myself.

By the way, Mom, you did a great job.

Thank you guys so much. This is the best day of my life.

Thank y'all so much.

Oh, my God. I feel like I'm in a dream.

My mom, she's always believed in me,

even when, like, I had no belief in myself, like...

Sorry.

Just really, really means a lot to me.

[ All cheering ]

[ Sniffles ] We love you so much.

[ Laughter ]

[ Cheering ]

Oh, my gosh!

[ Screams ]

Next time, tune in for an "Idol" two‐night event.

Give it all you got! Leave it on the floor!

First, the "Idol" auditions wrap up

with some of the most spectacular...

[ Vocalizing ]

If you want to win this thing,

I think you have a really good chance to.

...and hair‐raising singers yet.

♪ Ooh ♪

You're a special singer.

[ Laughs ]

Then, a brand‐new Hollywood week...

Woman: I'm so scared.

...with new rounds...

We're doing something that we've never done.

...that take the competition...

♪ Yeaaaaah ♪

...to a whole new level.

Luke: Is she okay? Katy: Stop, stop, stop.

Go get her. Go get her.

We're throwing out good for extraordinary.

Find out which of your favorites...

You've got to chill out. [ Sobs ]

...survive. You never give up onstage.