American Idol Season 8The Top 36 Are ChosenJoanna Pacitti Disqualified!

BREAKING NEWS: The leaked list was dead on correct. So if you watched "Idol" last night and went to bed thinking that one of our favorites -- Joanna Pacitti -- was a semifinalist, well, so did we. But perusing the official Fox release this morning, Pacitti's name is missing and instead the name Felicia Barton, who we watched getting cut last night, appears.

At the very bottom of the press release is this:

[EDITOR’S NOTE: It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36.]

Say wha?

The season hasn't really started yet, but the controversy and scandal apparently has!

EW.com reports:

"Joanna Pacitti, the American Idol season 8 hopeful who was shown advancing to the top 36 on Wednesday night's telecast, has been booted from the competition and replaced by 26-year-old Felicia Barton. "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition," stated a Fox press release sent early Thursday morning announcing the show's full roster of semifinalists.

For the last several weeks, Pacitti has been the subject of Internet chatter regarding her former deal with A&M Records, which yielded the single "Let It Slide," and more recently, for her rumored close relationship with a pair of 19 Entertainment executives. Specifically, Star magazine reported that Pacitti lived for a time in the same apartment building as 19's Michelle Young and Roger Widynowski, even referring to the former exec as her "best friend"; 19, of course, is the production company behind Idol.

Barton, meanwhile, was shown getting eliminated by the judges during Wednesday night's final Hollywood Week telecast, although a brief clip of her singing "Put Your Records On" during the Louisville, KY, audition round had created a decent amount of buzz among Idol watchers."

A Los Angeles Times story reports: "A source close to the show now tells us that Pacitti was disqualified to 'avoid the appearance of impropriety.'

In the past week, tabloids had been reporting on a private relationship between Pacitti and executives of 19 Management - one of the companies which oversees 'Idol.'"

This season, the "green mile" walk is made at the "judges' mansion" (wherever that was, but it sure looked nice). In addition to some contestants receiving a "yes" and others a "no," the judges are allegedly still undecided about a number of the remaining 52, who are forced into an immediate "sing-off" with another similarly "undecided" contestant (it's always girl vs. girl or boy vs. boy, as they producers apparently want to begin the voting with 18 of each sex). The judges then deliberate for a few minutes after which both contestants stand before Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul to learn their fates, with one going through to the Top 36 and the other being eliminated. The only exception to this was Matt Breitzke and Michael Sarver, who were both put through after they faced each other in a sing-off, lending more credence to our belief that all of the sing-offs are scripted stunts created by the producers for drama. After all, if Michael and Matt both made it, who was eliminated? Someone the judges originally put in the "yes" pile. Uh-uh, no way.

Yet a question remains: When Joanna Pacitti was disqualified, shouldn't she have been replaced by someone who lost a sing-off (and was therefore an "undecided") rather than someone who received a definitive "no," as did Felicia Barton? Why replace a "yes" with a "no" rather than an "undecided"? Think about it.

Here is the updated list of this season's 36 semifinals:

Adam Lambert is a 26-year-old stage actor from Hollywood, Calif. He auditioned in San Francisco, singing "Bohemian Rhapsody," by Queen. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. At the time of his audition, Lambert was in the cast of "Wicked."
Watch video of Adam Lambert Audition
Watch video Adam Lambert Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Adam Lambert making the Top 36

Alex Wagner-Trugman is a 19-year-old college student from Studio City, Calif. He auditioned in Phoenix, singing "Baby Come to Me," by James Ingram. All the judges except for Simon Cowell voted to send him to Hollywood. Wagner-Trugman used to sing in his closet to avoid bothering the rest of his family until he got sick from all the mold in there.
Watch video of Alex Wagner-Trugman Audition
Watch video of Alex Wagner-Trugman Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Alex Wagner-Trugman making the Top 36

Alexis Grace is a 21-year-old musician from Memphis, Tenn. She auditioned in Louisville, singing "Dr. Feelgood," by Aretha Franklin. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. This is Grace's third year in a row auditioning. She was rejected the first two times. Grace had a baby girl when she was 19 and is engaged to the father, who is in military school.
Watch video of Alexis Grace Audition
Watch video of Alexis Grace Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Alexis Grace making the Top 36

Allison Iraheta is a 16-year-old high-school student from Sherman Oaks, Calif., originally from Los Angeles. She auditioned in San Fancisco, singing "Natural Woman," by Aretha Franklin. It is unknown from the aired clip which judges put her through to Hollywood.
Watch video of Allison Iraheta Audition
Watch video of Allison Iraheta Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Allison Iraheta making the Top 36

Anne Marie Boskovich is a 22-year-old waitress and nanny originally from Ventura, Calif., now living in Nashville, Tenn. She auditioned in Jacksonville, singing "Bubbly," by Colbie Caillat. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Anne Marie Boskovich Audition
Watch video of Anne Marie Boskovich Hollywood Week Intro

Anoop "Dog" Desai is a 21-year-old college student from Chapel Hill, N.C. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "Thank You," by Boyz II Men. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.
Watch video of Anoop Desai Audition
Watch video of Anoop Desai Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Anoop Desai making the Top 36

Arianna Ayesha Afsar is a 17-year-old high-school student from San Diego, Calif. She auditioned in Phoenix, singing "Put Your Records On," by Corrine Bailey Rae. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Afsar has won her share of teenage beauty pagents.
Watch video of Arianna Afsar Audition
Watch video of Arianna Afsar Hollywood Week Intro

Brent Keith Smith is a 29-year-old traveling musician and guitar player from Blanchester, Ohio now living in Nashville, Tenn. He auditioned in Louisville, singing "Can't Get Enough of Your Love," by Bad Company. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. Smith appeared as a contestant on Nashville Star and also released a video and single from the CMT film "Dale." Smith is married.
Watch video of Brent Keith Audition
Watch video of Brent Keith Hollywood Week Intro

Casey Carlson is a 20-year-old "bubble tea maker" from Minneapolis, Minn. She auditioned in Kansas City, singing "A Thousand Miles," by Vanessa Carlton. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Casey Carlson Audition
Watch video of Casey Carlson Hollywood Week Intro

Daniel J. "Danny" Gokey is a 28-year-old music teacher from Milwaukee, Wisc. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "I Heard It through the Grapevine," by Marvin Gaye. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. Gokey's wife died from congenital heart disease four weeks before his audition.
Watch video of Danny Gokey Audition
Watch video of Danny Gokey Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Danny Gokey making the Top 36

Felicia Barton is a 26-year-old from Virginia Beach, Va. She auditioned in Louisville, singing "Girl Put Your Records On," by Corinne Bailey Rae. She began singing before she could talk, and her first public performance was at age 2. She is married and has a son.
Watch video of Felicia Barton Audition

Jaclyn "Jackie" Tohn is a 28-year-old singer-actress from New York. She auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.), singing "I'm Yours," by Jason Mraz and "I'll Do It All." All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Tohn has released two albums independently, "Beguiling" and "The Golden Girl" EP. Music Connection Magazine recently listed Tohn in their Top 100 unsigned artists. She has appeared in films and on TV series such as "The Sopranos," "Veronica Mars," "The Closer" and "The Nanny." Tohn is a member of AFTRA, AEA and SAG. Here is her professional resume.
Watch video of Jackie Tohn Audition
Watch video of Jackie Tohn Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Jackie Tohn making the Top 36

Jasmine Murray is a 16-year-old high-school student from Starkville, Miss. She auditioned in Jacksonville, singing "Big Girls Don't Cry," by Fergie. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Jasmine Murray Audition
Watch video of Jasmine Murray Hollywood Week Intro

Jeanine Vailes is a 28-year-old who auditioned in San Francisco.
Watch video of Jeanine Vailes Hollywood Week Intro


Jessica "Jesse" Langseth is a 25-year-old from Minneapolis, Minn. She auditioned in Kansas City. Langseth's brother is Grammy Award-winner Johnny Lang.
Watch video of Jesse Langseth Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Jesse Langseth making the Top 36

Joanna Pacitti SELECTED THEN DISQUALIFIEDis a 24-year-old singer from Philadelphia, Penn. She auditioned in Louisville, singing "We Belong," by Pat Benatar. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. As a child, she was cast as the lead in the Broadway revival of "Annie," but was replaced by her stand-in before the show opened. Pacitti was previously signed by A&M Records and then Geffen Records but currently does not have a label. She has appeared on the soundtracks for "Legally Blonde," "First Daughter" and "Bratz." She released her debut album, "This Crazy Life," in 2006.
Watch video of Joanna Pacitti Audition
Watch video of Joanna Pacitti Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Joanna Pacitti making the Top 36

Jorge Nuñez-Mendez is a 21-year-old college student from Carolina, Puerto Rico. He auditioned in San Juan, singing "My Way" in Spanish and "What a Wonderful World" in English. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.
Watch video of Jorge Nuñez Audition
Watch video of Jorge Nuñez Hollywood Week

Ju'Not Joyner is a 26-year-old from Bowie, Md. He also auditioned during Season 7 and made it to Hollywood before being eliminated.
Watch video of Ju'Not Joyner Hollywood Week Intro

Kai Kalama is a 26-year-old musician from San Clemente, Calif. He auditioned in San Francisco, singing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," by The Platters. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. During the day, Kalama cares for his mother, who has a seizure disorder.
Watch video of Kai Kalama Audition
Watch video of Kai Kalama Hollywood Week Intro

Kendall Beard Kendall Beard is a 24-year-old singer from Austin, Texas. She auditioned in San Juan, singing "The Ashes," by Martina McBride. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Beard has released a self-titled debut album. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Communication Studies.
Watch video of Kendall Beard Audition
Watch video of Kendall Beard Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Kendall Beard making the Top 36

Kris Allen is a 23-year-old college student majoring in business from Conway, Ark. He auditioned in Louisville, singing "A Song for You," by Leon Russell. His brother also auditioned in Louisville, but didn't make it. It is unknown from the aired clip which judges put him through to Hollywood.
Watch video of Kris Allen Audition
Watch video of Kris Allen Hollywood Week Intro

Kristen McNamara is a 23-year-old from Napa Valley, Calif. She auditioned in Louisville.
Watch video of Kristen McNamara Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Kristen McNamara making the Top 36

Lil Rounds is a 24-year-old customer-service representative from Memphis, Tenn. She auditioned in Kansas City, singing "All I Do," by Stevie Wonder. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Rounds is married with three children. The family's home was destroyed by a tornado and they are living in temporary housing.
Watch video of Lil Rounds Audition
Watch video of Lil Rounds Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Lil Rounds making the Top 36

Matt Breitzke is a 27-year-old welder from Bixby, Okla. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "Ain't No Sunshine," by Bill Withers. All the judges except for Randy Jackson voted yes to send him to Hollywood. Breitzke is married and has a son.
Watch video of Matt Breitzke Audition
Watch video of Matt Breitzke Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Matt Breitzke making the Top 36

Matt Giraud is a 23-year-old dueling piano player from Kalamazoo, Mich. He auditioned in Louisville, singing "I Don't Want to Be," by Gavin DeGraw. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.
Watch video of Matt Giraud Audition
Watch video of Matt Giraud Hollywood Week Intro

Megan Corkrey is a 23-year-old font designer from Salt Lake City, Utah. She auditioned in Salt Lake City on her birthday, singing "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," from the musical "Showboat." All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Megan Corkrey Audition
Watch video of Megan Corkrey Hollywood Week Intro

Michael Sarver is a 27-year-old roughneck on an oil rig from Jasper, Texas. He auditioned in Phoenix, singing "Thank You," by Boyz II Men. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. He is married with two children.
Watch video of Michael Sarver Audition
Watch video of Michael Sarver Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Michael Sarver making the Top 36

Mishavonna Henson is an 18-year-old from Irvine, Calif. She auditioned in Phoenix. In Season 7, Henson also made it to Hollywood and was cut on the second day.
Watch video of Mishavonna Henson Hollywood Week Intro

Nathaniel "Nate" Marshall is a 19-year-old singer from Malone, N.Y. He auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.). Marshall auditioned three times before finally making it. He has released several albums.
Watch video of Nate Marshall Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Nate Marshall making the Top 36

Nick "Normund Gentle" Mitchell is a 27-year-old sketch comedy artist from Stratton, Vt., now living in Brookfield, Conn. He auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.) singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from "Dream Girls" and "Amazing Grace." All the judges except for Simon Cowell voted to send him to Hollywood.
Watch video of Nick Mitchell Audition
Watch video of Nick Mitchell Week Intro
Watch video of Nick Mitchell making the Top 36

Ricky Braddy Jr. is a 25-year-old restaurant manager and student originally from Elizabeth City, N.C. now living in Nashville, Tenn. He auditioned in Louisville.
Watch video of Ricky Braddy Hollywood Week Intro

Scott Douglas MacIntyre is a 23-year-old singer from Scottsdale, Ariz. He auditioned in Phoenix, singing "And So It Goes," by Billy Joel. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. MacIntyre started college at 14 years old and graduated at 19. He is almost blind and plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, MacIntyre has been internationally profiled on CNN, Headline News, Sky News Europe, Global Television Network, USA Today, national and local news, radio and print media as a pianist, vocalist and songwriter. He has independently produced, engineered, and released six full-length CDs and has written in genres spanning pop, rock, punk, jazz and classical.
Watch video of Scott MacIntyre Audition
Watch video of Scott MacIntyre Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Scott MacIntyre making the Top 36

Stephen Fowler is a 26-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio. He auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.). Fowler is married.
Watch video of Stephen Fowler Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Stephen Fowler making the Top 36

Stevie Wright is a 16-year-old high-school student from Phelan, Calif. She auditioned in Phoenix, singing "At Last," by Etta James. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Stevie Wright Audition

Tatiana Nicole del Torro is a 24-year-old singer-actor-model from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She auditioned in San Francisco, singing "Never Loved a Man," by Aretha Franklin. All the judges except for Simon Cowell voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Tatiana Nicole del Torro Audition
Watch video of Tatiana Nicole del Torro Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Tatiana Nicole del Torro making the Top 36

Taylor Vaifanua is a 16-year-old high-school student from Hurricane, Utah. She auditioned in Salt Lake City, signing "Joyful, Joyful." All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.
Watch video of Taylor Vaifanua Audition
Watch video of Taylor Vaifanua Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Taylor Vaifanua making the Top 36

Von Smith is a 22-year-old student from Greenwood, Mo. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "Over the Rainbow." All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.
Watch video of Von Smith Audition
Watch video of Von Smith Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Von Smith making the Top 36

Watch video of Top 36 recap

And the ones who didn't make it:
Watch video of Cody Sheldon being eliminated in a sing-off with Alex Wagner-Trugman

Watch video of T.K. Hash, Chris Chatman and Reggi Beasley being eliminated

Watch video of Jenn Korbee being eliminated in a sing-off with Kristen McNamara

Watch video of Frankie Jordan being eliminated in a sing-off with Jesse Langseth

Watch video of Jamar Rogers being eliminated

Watch video of Jackie Midkiff being eliminated in a sing-off with Nate Marshall

Also eliminated were: Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister, Devon Baldwin, Shera Lawrence and Derik Lavers.

At the end of the show, Ryan Seacrest informed us that the 36 semifinalists will be presented in groups of 12 for the next three weeks.

The first group of 12 are: Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler, Jackie Tohn, Ricky Braddy, Anne Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Stevie Wright, Danny Gokey, Tatiana Del Toro and Anoop Desai

Watch video of semifinalist Group 1 dance

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© 2009

American Idol Season 8Louisville, Ky. Auditions

Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, saw a different kind of race when "Idol" set up their Louisville tryouts at the esteemed track for two days. Surprisingly, we were shown a lot more talent in the bluegrass state than we had viewed in California the day before.

And we're beginning to see a pattern emerge for the Season 8 auditions: Each show ends with the best singer who also has the most inspirational sob story. To wit, in Phoenix we ended with visually disabled Scott MacIntyre, who has not let his lack of sight keep him from becoming a well-rounded athlete and musician; in Kansas City, we concluded with the amazing R&B stylings of Lil Rounds, who is determined to win the competition to help out her family after their home was destroyed in a tornado; and in California, musician Kai Kalma, who has a heart of gold and who has dedicated himself to caring for his ailing mother, sang the show's final song. And so it went in Louisville, as well. But more on that later.

We begin with 18-year-old Tiffany Shedd, a blond from Cincinnati, who honestly looks more like she's in her late 20s. She's accompanied by her supportive parents who we will soon discover are as tone deaf as she is (obviously inherited in this case). We know it's going to be a clunker by how earnest she is in the pre-performance interview. And when she vows to walk out with a "positive attitude" and go to college if she doesn't go to Hollywood, we know it's a lock that she's a loser. Little did we suspect how bad she'd be. We didn't understand nor recognize a word or note from her performance of Mariah Carey's "Hero." Judge Simon Cowell wasn't shy in telling her just how bad it was, assaulting her with this critique: "In horse racing terms, you need to imagine 22 horses and 1 donkey. Actually, this was the perfect contestant for Cowell to use his cats screeching in a bag, or cats dropped from the Empire State Building analogies on. Outside the audition room, Tiffany not only cries, she tells us she's not the loser, that "Idol" is the loser, and that the judges aren't looking for talent, they're looking for nerds and freaks. We are then battered with another song that is neither recognizable nor understandable. As Ryan said, good luck to her college roommate.

Watch video of Tiffany Shedd

We know many bloggers today will be screaming that Joanna Pacitti is a ringer, much the same as Carly Smithson was last season, and we suppose it's true. But the fact is that we fell in love with Smithson's voice last year, and we already own one of Pacitti's CDs. She's been in show business since she was a kid; was, in fact, hired to be Annie in the Broadway revival, and was fired when she became ill on the road and the show's producers decided they preferred her stand-in. We first discovered her voice on the soundtrack for "Legally Blonde," on which she sang "Watch Me Shine." We've tracked down other recordings of hers since then and she's on our iPod, so we're rooting for her. And BTW, she's also currently dating "Dancing With the Stars' " pro Mark Ballas. The producers, knowing that many of us already know she's been a pro, make it obvious to all, when judge Kara DioGuardi says she recognizes her and asks, "Aren't you Joanna Pacitti? Weren't you on A&M records?" (Er, hello, you have her name and bio sitting right there in front of you. This was such a put up job by the producers). Fact is, the girl can sing and proves it with Pat Benatar's "We Belong." Joanna cries what Kara later says are "real tears," when she gets four yesses and is told she's going back to Hollywood for another shot at fame. We smile.

Watch video of Joanna Pacitti

Parts inspector Mark Mudd Jr., 25, wants to change his luck by going to Hollywood. He tells us he's almost died five times. We will soon wish he had been more successful at that after we hear him sing. We also learn that Mudd is a direct descendent of Samuel Mudd, the doctor who set John Wilkes Booth's broken leg after Booth assassinated President Lincoln. Obviously, Mark is still paying for his ancestor's misdeed with his voice. He sings George Jones' "White Lightning" and Paula Abdul and Kara can't control their laughter. Then Paula tells Mark that "Idol" isn't the right kind of competition for him. Simon asks, "What is the right kind of competition for him?" She says, "There are many." Simon retorts, "Like what, 'Wheel of Fortune'?" As Mark is leaving, he bids the judges "Be careful," a remark that Simon and Paula take as a threat. Not to worry, Paula. He almost died five times. Fate will probably get him before he can get you.

Watch video of Mark Mudd Jr.

After good-looking musician and one-time "Nashville Star" contestant Brent Keith Smith, 28, sings Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough," Paula tells him she was surprised that he had that in him. But Simon tells Brent the song was ridiculous for him, that if he had sung a more emotional song it would have made a big impact and that it all sounded a bit buskerish. The other judges go crazy at that, especially the women. Kara tells Brent that he's the kind of artist, that if he had one great song ... Simon breaks in with "That's what I said." Randy Jackson calls for a vote, and Simon says "Yes. Well I was always going to say yes, actually," which really gets Kara crazy. We have to agree with Simon on this one. First, the other judges never let him finish. Second, even the best contestant heading to Hollywood still can stand some constructive criticism. Brent? Well he remained quiet and seemed amused by the judges' hysterics. Good for him. BTW, he is going to Hollywood.

Watch video of Brent Keith Smith

Next up is "dueling piano player" Matt Giraud, 23, who performs Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be." We not only love this song, we loved Bo Bice's version of it even more than DeGraw's. But we weren't that crazy about how Matt performed it, especially with all the runs. The judges, however, were all over him. Paula said his voice was "different sounding," and that was something they were looking for, while Simon said, "You remind me of Elliott [Yamin] from Season 5. You've actually got a very good voice." Well, Elliott was another singer we didn't like much. But Matt sailed through to Hollywood, and like him or not, we fear we're going to be hearing a lot more from him. And so it goes.

Watch video of Matt Giraud

It was time for attack of the super geeks in the form of Ross Plavsic, 26, an afterschool tutor, who is either supereducated or full of it. We couldn't tell which. He, like bizarro Akilah Askew Gholson from the California auditions, academically trained himself to be a singer. And we all know how great horrible she was. Jay Black, who legally fought and lost the right to keep the name "Jay and the Americans," after the group he was lead singer of broke up, may want to go into the witness protection program after hearing Ross' version of "Cara Mia." It was so bad (how bad was it?) that the judges began imitating Ross' interpretation of it. Too funny, or really, too sad. When Paula, egging him on, asked Ross if he had anything current to sing, he blamed his poor results on his scratchy throat. She invites him to drink some water and try again, so he approaches the judges' table, picks up her cup and sips through her straw. She freaks out. Of course, Ross' version of "Love Me Tender" (that's more current, brainiac?) is no better than his first song and he is given the boot. Paula requests a new drinking cup and straw pronto.

Watch video of Ross Plavsic

Day Two at Louisville starts on a high note with stay-at-home mom Alexis Grace, whose boyfriend is in military school. She wows us with her version of Aretha's Franklin's "Dr. Feelgood." Her voice is a lot bigger than you expect from her stature and Randy tells her so, also saying he thinks she could come out of her shell and surprise the world. Simon thinks her look is very commercial and gives her another shot with a yes. Kara likes her atttiude. Paula also likes her but advises her to work on her stage presence. She receives four yesses and a golden ticket.

Watch video of Alexis Grace

The overly energetic and kinetic Aaron Williamson, 27, is up next. Ryan heard him earlier in the day, whooping it up in the crowd. This doesn't sound like it's going to be good ... and it isn't. Before BURSTING into CCR's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," Aaron tells the judges he wants to be America's Next Top Idol (perhaps he's watching Tyra Banks too much). Aaron is loud and shouty (but we must admit fun, too). Kara, who loves to join in with backup on bad auditions, jumps right in on this one. (Word to future contestants: Leave the room immediately if Kara starts singing with you.) It gets so loud in the audition room when Randy and Paula join Kara's whooping, yelping and yowling, that Ryan Seacrest pokes his head in to see what the hell is going on. Randy tells Ryan it was kind of a primal scream audition. Kara declares, "Oh God, I feel good. Damn!" But Aaron doesn't. They tell him he's a really sweet guy, then bid him adieu.

Watch video of Aaron Williamson

Rebecca Garcia gets to be the pathetic and humiliated tryout of the night. That morning, she was interviewed on a local news show about auditioning for "Idol." As soon as she walks into the audition room, Paula says, "I know who you are." Abdul recognizes Rebecca from her appearance on the news and Rebecca is pumped. Then Paula asks her what that is on her arm. Turns out it's a cheat sheet with the words. Little does Rebecca realize that remembering the words will be the least of her worries. Eyes closed, she breaks into Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," and we mean "breaks" quite literally. It is awful. When she pauses because she forgot the words (she sang the stanzas scrambled anyway), the judges tell her "check your arm." Then, suddenly, Kara says, "Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. She was voted most humorous in high school. ... this is all starting to make sense." Rebecca looks confused as it dawns on her that Kara thinks she's joking with her audition, especially when DioGaurdi adds, "That was good. Funny." Of course, Rebecca wasn't kidding and the look of disbelief turns to one of hurt, complete with trembling words and tears. Kara tells Paula to hit her because she was mean. Simon tells Rebecca that he likes her but to never pursue a career in singing. As she leaves the grounds, Rebecca turns to her mother and says, "Mom, you don't think I should give up completely, should I?" Mom answers, "Heavens, no." We believe that is what's called a sado-masochistic relationship.

Watch video of Rebecca Garcia

In a quick series of snippets we see that Kris Allen, 23, a business major from Arkansas who sang Leon Russell's "A Song for You"; Felicia Barton, 26, a mom and bar singer from Virginia Beach, Va., who sang Corrine Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On"; Ryan Johnson, 27, a railroad worker from Cincinnati, who did justice to Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come"; and Shera Lawrence, 23, an orthopedic office assistant from Bowling Green, Ky., ("I've Got the World on a String") all received golden tickets to Hollywood.

Watch video of Kris Allen , Felicia Barton , Ryan Johnson and Shera Lawrence

And getting back to saving the best singing and sob story for last, we are introduced to 18-year-old college student Leneshe Young. Life hasn't been easy for Leneshe and her siblings. Their single mom raised them. They grew up poor and sometimes homeless. But Leneshe is bubbling with good spirits and enthusiam as bright as the colorful yellow blouse she is rocking. Nothing is going to get this girl down. She performs an original composition, "Natty," and proves she is already a quadruple threat to the other contestants: She has a great personality, can sing, can write songs and, well, is adorable to boot. She absolutely wows the judges. Simon calls her song quirky and fun, and tells her she is current. Randy says, "You're kinda what we need." Kara calls her the first girl that had her own thing. And Paula tries to joke by saying "no," but immediately rescinds it to a huge "yes." Get ready Hollywood, here comes Leneshe.

Watch video of Leneshe Young

On Tuesday the traveling "Idol" circus takes on Jacksonville, Fla.

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© 2009