Alejandro Aranda auditions on “American Idol”; ABC/Kelsey McNealIn its second episode of the season Wednesday night, American Idol served up contestants who’ve overcome tremendous odds and impressed with their artistry, a returning contestant who made it through again, and one guy who was so good that Katy simply declared him to be the winner.
The tear-jerkers
Twenty-year-old Logan Johnson, formerly addicted to painkillers, admitted he’d put his family “through hell.” He was celebrating eight months of sobriety during his audition, and fittingly performed “Sober” by Demi Lovato. The judges brought Logan’s family in to witness their vote because, of course, he was going to Hollywood. “Logan, you now have three more people on your support team,” said Lionel, and there were tears all around.
Seventeen-year-old Shayy Winn has been legally blind for a year, ever since doctors discovered a brain tumor, which they haven’t completely removed for fear of serious injury. Her performance of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” brought Lionel Richie to tears; he had to jump up and hug her. “You’re so inspiring,” Katy told Shayy, who’s going to Hollywood. Though she said she’d been bullied at her school, we saw footage of the students, filmed two weeks after her audition, all cheering for her at a rally in the gym celebrating her golden ticket.
Fifteen-year-old Ethan Payne was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was 18 months old. When he was 13, the Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged for him to meet Luke Bryan, who had him sing with him on stage and gave him his guitar. Ethan walked in with that same guitar, and asked Luke — who remembered him — to join him for a duet on his 2009 hit “Do I.” The judges loved his confidence and put him through to Hollywood.
The throwbacks
Twenty-five-year-old Courtney Penry, the “Crazy Chicken Girl” who made it to the group rounds back in 2011, returned for another shot, and blew Katy Perry away with her nutty personality. The judges had her sing two songs — Chris Stapleton’s “Parachute” and Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” — before deciding to put her through. She admitted that eight years ago, she wasn’t ready. Katy agreed that she just needed “a little more seasoning and BBQ sauce.”
Seventeen-year-old Karli Ryan was auditioning because 15 years ago, her mom, Chera, tried out for American Idol, but didn’t make it in front of the judges. Karli, who said she’d give her golden ticket to her mom if she got through, played an original song on the piano. While the judges were impressed, they agreed that she just wasn’t ready yet.
The funny stuff
Landen Knowlton, 23, is an Army sergeant who was very nervous, until Katy asked him to yell at them like they were a bunch of new recruits. He really got into it, screaming at them to stand up straight and “drop and give me 20.” He also showed them how to stand at attention and how to be “at ease.” He sang NEEDTOBREATHE‘s song “Washed by the Water,” and made it to Hollywood.
Juan Pablo, a good-looking singer from Mexico, made Katy swoon with his dramatic performance of “Besame Mucho.” The two played out a hilarious mock-telenovela, which led to him kissing her hand, insisting that his girlfriend and her boyfriend — now fiance — Orlando Bloom, wouldn’t mind. “This is for Orlando,” Katy announced as he smooched her hand. He also made it through to Hollywood.
As a stunt, we saw adorable seven-year-old Indonesian viral singer named Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja stun the judges with her version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” They promised her that she could go to Hollywood, but had to wait until 2027.
The biggest surprise
An unassuming 24-year-old named Alejandro Aranda said he was a self-taught singer and guitarist who’d only been playing for three or four years. He sang an original song called “Out Loud,” and blew the judges away with his astonishing guitar-picking skills and his voice. They were stunned, and then Lionel asked him to play a song on the piano, at which he was equally amazing.
“I think you’re the winner,” Katy stated. “I think you’re an absolute genius.” “I just feel like I’m in the presence of greatness…I’ve just never see anything like that,” marveled Luke. Lionel said it was a “religious experience.” Of course, Alejandro’s going to Hollywood.
The weirdest audition
Newlyweds Kimberly and Bernie got married a month ago at Walt Disney World in a full-on Cinderella-themed ceremony. The disgustingly in-love couple performed a duet of the song from Cinderella, “This Is Love” which was pretty bad — though Katy sang along and even imitated one of the animated mice from the movie.
The rest
The other Hollywood tickets go to: Eddie Island, who calls himself the unofficial Mayor of Nashville; strawberry farmer Kason Lester, who showed up with baskets of snacks for the judges; Betsy Jo, to whom Katy sent $20 via Venmo before giving her a golden ticket; and two male singer/guitarists named Jake Durkin and Cory Young.
American Idol continues Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.