Competitors of jokes have been a tradition of auditions in american idol since even before William Hung reached stardom on TV, then when two cheerful pranksters appeared on Sunday – one dressed as a shaggy Viking, the other, on a rope chain and blinds, claiming to be the next bad bunny, Yankee dad, or “Latin Cookie Monster” in a hoarse voice – nothing really was more shocking.
What was shocking, however, was that both contestants actually received Golden Tickets for Hollywood. And while one of these auditors could be more than a novelty and achieve more than just 15 minutes of fame, the other (not unanimous) yes was totally disconcerting. “I will regret it and you will all regret it,” Katy Perry warned her fellow judges – and more truthful words were never said in the Idol, as this controversial decision may have taken a place from a memorable singer with really serious intentions.
The first was Thor’s cosplayer, Anthony Guzman, 27, whose unbalanced entrance to the hearing room, all wielding a sledgehammer and “Skolllllllll! ” and Brave HeartIn the style of war crying, he honestly had some bad lenses after the Capitol building turmoil last month (which generated that disturbing viral photo of a similarly attacked protester). But it all turned out to be bait and exchange, because when Anthony opened his mouth he … sang softly “Cry Me a River” from the Great American Songbook??? And it was decent??? “This is an obstacle,” joked Judge Luke Bryan. “Never judge a book by its cover,” said Katy. I wonder if the two judges who put Anthony to the vote, Lionel Richie and Katy, would have been so excited if Anthony hadn’t confused them with their antics and lowered their expectations (in this case, Anthony is a genius strategist). But Lionel said to him, “You can sing seriously; now i need you to take yourself seriously. ”So Anthony probably shouldn’t be bringing Viking clothing when he goes to Hollywood – unless he has a backup plan to charge tourists to take pictures with him on Hollywood Blvd., if Idol does not work.
A tough competitor to take seriously, as much fun as it was, was Yurisbel – a 25-year-old Polynesian restaurant emcee who described himself as a “walking empanada” (because he “has so many flavors”) from “Miami, Florida , festive city of the United States. ” american idol you really need to get Snickers as a sponsor, because Luke and Lionel were clearly not themselves when Yurisbel entered the set in the late afternoon and caught them in a moment of weakness.
Yurisbel was sure to be a fireball, as the title of his Pitbull cover promised, and I’m sure it would be great to watch in his Miami tiki bar while enjoying some flaming cocktails the size of an aquarium (or ball shots). fire). But as much as Yurisbel’s comic relief might have been, his voice was simply no at the height of this already very competitive season. Katy was a no, saying, “I just don’t know if anyone would trust me again if I said yes!” But apparently Yurisbel’s less trusted party mates, Luke and Lionel, were feeling the vibe, so Yurisbel is heading to Hollywood. This decision was disconcerting. Why didn’t they put on last week’s German Speedo model, Mario Adrion or Keytar Boy, while they were at it? Lionel just explained, “Kids need to be having a little fun.”
A legitimate vocal spot given to someone amused? Every talent you take away because they are not ready yet, but you go through “fun”. Katy was right. Yurisbel has a future in entertainment, certainly, but seriously? Idol?
– Heather Bardin (@BardinBardin) February 22, 2021
Yurisbel is funny and you would host a fun party at bar mitzvahs and beach resorts full of drunk tourists, but come on man, you don’t know how to sing. Or maybe you can sing, but you didn’t sing a note, you said the words. Glad the judges are stupid.
– Trainer Gloria 🇨🇦 (@TrainerGloria) February 22, 2021
I don’t understand the Yurisbel … clearly they have a lot more gold tickets than they would leave if they could waste one on that guy.
– Gina wears a mask (@bagladygina) February 22, 2021
One boy I was really rooting for – and whose rejection left me even more baffled on a night that Anthony and Yurisbel managed to get through – was Ace Stiles. The 16-year-old trans boy shared his quirky sweet voice Joanna Newsom-meets-Perfume Genius (which Katy described as “vintage-y”), actually a good original song “Addicted” and a brave backstory with his supportive mother on his side.
Katy told Ace, “I think you have something worth investing in,” and viewers were certainly emotionally invested in Ace after all that screentime – before the judges threw their own curved ball and inexplicably sent it home in tears. “I like myself and I wouldn’t do it any other way, because I think I’m really cool,” Ace shrugged. I wish the judges would have thought so too. This nice boy deserved a chance, and it was positively painful to see his dreams shattered, as if by Anthony’s sledgehammer.
That said, Ace would have had a rough time at Hollywood Week, as would Anthony and Yurisbel, because Sunday’s episode was, like last week’s premiere, full of talent. These were the other successful auditions of the night:
Amanda Mena, 18: “Golden Slumbers”
Sunday’s episode opened with this “unique” belter – no fanfare, no sad story, just singing. The judges seemed stunned by his remarkable talent, giving him an instant and unanimous yes, without even consulting. (“We have Never did that, ”noted Lionel.) She radiated sympathy and the X factor, and I loved the intimacy of her performance. That said, I hope viewers will learn more about Amanda during Hollywood Week.
Liahona Olayan, 16, and Ammon Olayan, 17: “Listen to My Heart”
This adorable Hawaiian brother / sister number presented a bold original of call and response, and while Amon was pleasant enough, the Liahona, which played the piano too, was the real star of this show. Ammon’s underdone vocals were a little shy, while Liahona was an aggressive rocket giving Sara Bareilles / Alessia Cara vibrations. It just glowed. “It’s so fresh,” said Lionel with a wide smile. “I was loving the savantism of it. In the Liahona, you have a voice … ready for the radio, ”said Luke. Katy called the Liahona “an incredible talent, an incredible songwriter, as she should be hired now.” The two Olayan brothers won Golden Tickets, but I suspect the Liahona will be going to the ground very soon.
Hannah Everhart, 17: “Wayfaring Stranger” / “At Last”
This surly girl from a small Mississippi town with a face of Katy Perry, tough attitude from Kristen Stewart and “unfiltered” looked confident superhuman until she actually sang. I don’t think Hannah knows how good she really is. Of course, the judges saw the potential and already loved it, so they put it on stage, but I hope it doesn’t get overwhelmed in Hollywood. Katy advised her, “You better start playing the dice about your life,” and Lionel assured her, “You are sitting in a gold mine.”
Calvin Upshaw, 26: “Falling Out of Love”
Calvin is a single father ex-incarcerated in search of a “new beginning”, and the producers prepared him for a story of perfect redemption, instead showing him sobbing when he received his Golden Ticket before he sang a single note. It soon became clear why he got that ticket. This natural and raw talent infused Calvin Richardson’s ballad with emotion and gospel touch. “That crack of voice was not a vocal crack, it was a feeling myself crack, ”said Lionel. “You’re ready,” said Katy. That was a little difficult to watch, because Calvin was a very broken man, but as Luke said, “It is impossible to witness a human being going through this and not give him love.” I’m rooting for this guy.
Casey Bishop, 15: “Live Wire /“ My Funny Valentine ”
This Nirvana-loving rock ‘n’ roll girl immediately caught my eye by covering one of Motley Crue’s first songs from the 1981 metal band debut album Too fast for love. That was certainly a Idol first! She put a touch of blues on it, very Alannah Myles, and I’m not sure if that alone was not enough to impress the judges, who asked her to sing something more classic vintage. After paying tribute to Sarah Vaughan, Lionel said, “I would love for you to enjoy rock, but sing like this!” No! I want more Crue! But I think this girl can sing about anything. Luke said he hadn’t been so shocked by a test since Alejandro Aranda’s, even declaring: “I think she’s the damn winner of the american idol. “
Chayce Beckham, 24: “What Brings Life also Kills”
This was the other great redemption story of the night. After a difficult year in which this Apple Valley forklift operator moved back in with his parents, Idol it gave him motivation to move on with his life. His textured and attractive voice on his Kolton Moore cover and Clever Few made Luke instantly burst into applause (“His first note got me”), and Katy said to Chayce: “You sound like the hearts of America” and predicted that he would be in the top five.
Cassandra Coleman, 24: “The Way It Was” / “Apologize”
It’s hard to believe that the “terrified” Cassandra had never performed in public before, because her covers for Killers and One Republic were perfection. She had an intriguing and distinctive vibrato, masterful vocal control and made her nerves work for her, telling the stories of both songs with shaky emotion. Cassandra is a consummate storyteller and one of my new favorites. “That was as angelic as it can be,” said Lionel. Luke called his voice “God-given direct” and said to her, “You are a new voice that the world has never heard.” Clearly, Cassandra was born for this.
Willie Spence, 21: “Diamonds”
After a health scare that led him to take control of his life and lose 80 pounds, Willie is ready to pursue his dreams, one of which is to win a Grammy. “That Grammy is achievable, no doubt in my mind. … You are an incredible and special human being. Gosh, I didn’t want it to end, ”Luke said with emotion after hearing Willie’s sublime cover for Rihanna. Willie has a big, pure voice (the kind that Katy said “stop people in their tracks”) and a big, pure heart, and I think he has Grammy material too. “I can’t say how excited I am that you are joining us on this show,” said Lionel.
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