Ten thousand showed up to the auditions in Orlando, as did the guest judge Kristin Chenoweth. Kristin is an actress, theatrical performer, singer, film star, and author. She is well known for being on The West Wing and Glee, as well as playing Glinda in the hit Broadway play Wicked. This year, she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy in Pushing Daisies, she played Olive Snook. She also has a unique singing voice, she has been compared to Betty Boop in an issue of FHM in 2006.
Kristin Chenoweth in FHM Magazine
Up first for the day was Theo Glinton, 22, from Fort Pierce, FL. Dressed to impress someone other than the judges, Theo wore tight, woman’s flare jeans, a tight graphic tee, a large scarf with big silver polka dots, silver eyes shadow on one eye, as well as glittering feathers and round silver dots around his eyes. Wow, really? His interpretation of Pat Benatar’s, “Heartbreaker,” was comical and horrible. None of the judges enjoyed it or the silver sparkles caught in his beard.
The first heartwarming story of the day came from Seth Rollins,28, from Lakeland, FL. He’s a father of two, his son was diagnosed with autism. He sang Frank Sinatra’s, “Someone to Watch Over Me.” He made the song his own and left Kara wanting more. Simon said he has a “good voice.” With that, he is the first make it through to Hollywood.
Looking for his second chance at Idol, Jermaine Purifoy, 24, from Cleveland, TN, sang a Tony Bennett song “Smile.” It worked! The judges were all smiles as the enjoyed the “purity” of his voice, as Kristin put it, “its seamless.” Randy said he was his favorite to this point in the season. Kara called his voice “honest,” and he has a nice smile. He is definitely someone to watch in Hollywood!
Last to go on day 1 was Shelby Dressel, 18, from Avon Park, FL. Shelby was born with the right side of her face paralyzed. Singing “Turn Me On” by Nora Jones, it was a little awkward to watch. Then she forgot the words and cussed, breaking the ice with the judges. She made it through with 4 yes’.
Eighteen others made it through on day one.
Missing our guest judge, Kristin Chenoweth, day 2 began. First was Jay Stone, 25, from Miami, FL, attempting to do “Come Together” by the Beatles. His version was a beat box rendition, which was actually very entertaining. Then he sang normally and turned out to be lovely but Simon wasn’t diggin’ it. It was a close call but Kara and Randy said yes and he was through!
Cornelius Edwards, 24, from Boynton Beach, FL has many stripper friends who taught him a dance for his audition…unfortunately, he may never have kids if he had wanted them… He began singing “Rolling on the River,” by Tina Turner and jumped up and went down…into the splits with a big thump! He ripped the crotch of his pants and who knows what other damage. Looks of painful shock erupted onto the judges faces. Simon gave him a yes because of his dance! As did the other judges! So that’s what it takes to get a golden ticket….
Bernadette, 27, and Amanda, 23, from Cherry Hill, NJ, are sisters and came together to their auditions to support one another. They were both very good looking girls and both sang pretty decent but Bernadette was the better singer according to Simon. Randy and Kara thought they both should go through, and they did.
He seemed like such a nice boy when he entered the judging room and said he was going to sing “Amazing Grace” but Jarrod Norrell, 28, from Marietta, GA turned out to not be so calm and nice. He said he thought he was a great singers and maybe one of the best but he was anything but a great. Kara compared it to a lawnmower. Then he asked to sing one more time and was denied but he did anyway. Security came and he still refused to leave and had to be forced to leave. He was then handcuffed and taken away by the police…and what does Simon say? “So, yes or no?” I believe that’d be a no…
The last audition for the day was Matthew Lawerance, 25, from Stark, FL. When he was 15 years old, his adventurous ways somehow lead him to rob a bank with a bb gun. He spent 4 years behind bars. He is auditioning to make his parents proud of him again. His song choice was appropriate with “Trouble” by Ray Lamontagne. His voice was passionate and slighly rough. Simon said “it felt authentic,” and Kara agreed. Randy said he sounded, “genuine…and you got vocals! What?” Between themselves, Kara said, “he’s gonna go top 12.” He is one of the best we have seen this season!
Others to make it through:
- Janell Wheeler, 24, from Tampa, FL
- Brittney Starr James, 23, from Coral Springs, FL
- Kasi Bedford, 19, from Seminole, FL
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