21x06 - 605 (Auditions)

[bunniefuu]

[ James Blunt's "Monsters"
plays ]

Iam: My name is Iam Tongi,
and I'm from Kahuku, Hawaii.

♪ Oh, before they turn off
all the lights ♪

♪ I won't read you your wrongs
or your rights ♪

♪ The time has gone ♪

This is my sixth season
of "American Idol,"

but it's really quite amazing.

I don't think
it's ever been better.

This is so cool.

♪ I'll tell you I love you
once more ♪

God brought you back nine times

for you to do something amazing.

Wow.
♪ I'm not your son ♪

♪ You're not my father ♪

♪ We're just two grown
men saying goodbye ♪

We love the artists.
We love the vulnerability.

So take a look around.

Oh, my God! Stop. ♪ I'll
try to make you proud ♪

Dad, what? [ Laughs ]

You gonna show those babies

to never, ever give
up on their dreams.

Thank you.

♪ It's my turn ♪

♪ To chase the monsters away ♪

It's an emotional and
spiritual experience.

Mariah: His name's
Big B, Mr. Brian.

He's my number-one supporter.

Preston: If my mama was still
here, she would be really proud

and she would tell me that
she knew I'd get here someday.

♪ You can feel my hand on
your own ♪ [ Breathes sharply ]

This is going to change
your life, young man.

I hope it does.

♪ I'm not your son ♪

I'm a yes. Oh, my God!

Both: We are going to Hollywood!

I'm going to
Hollywood! [ Screams ]

Oh, my God! Thank you!

Luke: Every year,
the show does evolve.

Katy freakin'
Perry. [ Laughter ]

We, as judges, try to put
these kids in a situation

where they can go
follow their dreams.

♪ Don't be afraid,
it's my turn ♪

♪ To chase the monsters away ♪

Oh, sorry.

That's all right, man.
That's all right, man.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you.

Captions by VITAC...

♪♪

[ Laughter ]

♪♪

Should we get into it? The contestants
are ready. Let's get this party started.

They're excited. You're
the ace of spades?

I guess so. [ Laughter ]

And just to make me shorter,

we're right down there
at the bottom of the card.

♪ Picture a place
where it all doesn't hurt ♪

After you. Enjoy, have fun.

Here we go. Good luck.

Whoo! Go get 'em. Alrighty.

Lionel: She is so excited.

Katy: I am excited.

It's our last day of
finding our talent.

Holy crap. [ Chuckles ]

Oh, my God. Wow.

This is getting real. Yeah.

I'm Kaeyra.

I'm 21, and I'm from
Algonquin, Illinois.

My family is from Poland.

My parents immigrated
here about, like, 22 years ago.

[ Speaking native language ]

My curly hair. Yeah.

My mom is literally
my biggest supporter.

She wanted me
to have a better life.

That's why I'm just so happy
to have her with me today.

♪ Close your eyes ♪

♪ And leave it all behind ♪

Memories.

My mom was a piano teacher,

and when she immigrated
to America from Poland,

she opened up a music school.

I was literally just surrounded
by music every day,

and I just knew

that I wanted to do this
for the rest of my life.

Good luck. All the way to see
the judges. Whoo! Thank you.

You're welcome. Good luck.

My mom has
sacrificed a lot for me.

I feel like she
always put me first.

There's someone here.
Oh, my God. [ Laughs ]

What's happening? Hey, hey, hey.

Hello.

No matter what happens. Yes.

Like, you taught me so much,

and I'm just happy
that you're here,

and now we get to
experience this together.

I'm going to play
piano for my first song.

Good. She's really the
reason why I got into music,

and I just want to be able
to show how grateful I am.

♪ What if we just fall? ♪

♪♪

♪ Boy, the way you
broke my heart ♪

♪ It shattered like a
rock through a window ♪

Hmm.

♪♪

♪ I thought we had it so good ♪

♪ I never really
saw this comin' ♪

♪ No, no, no, no ♪

♪ Oh, why you
got to be so cold? ♪

♪ Why you got to go
and cut me like a knife ♪

♪ And put our love on ice? ♪

♪ Oh, boy, you know
you left this hole ♪

♪ Right here in the
middle of my soul ♪

♪ Hey, yeah ♪

♪ Why you got to be so cold? ♪

♪ Noooooo ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah-ah, hey ♪

♪ Oh, boy, you know
you left this hole ♪

♪ Right here in the
middle of my soul, yeah ♪

♪ Why you got to be so cooold? ♪

[ Applause ]

Yes. Very nice.

Thank you. [ Chuckles ]

Very, very... Oh, my goodness!

Oh! Wow. [ Laughs ]

A standing ovation at the end
down there. Thank you, thank you.

I wasn't expecting that.

You don't sound
like anybody else.

You can tell you've
sat at the piano.

You could just tell that
music's been in your world.

It was great. It
was really great.

Thank you. Thank you
so much. Katy, Katy.

Tell me, Kaeyra, where
do you usually sing?

I work at a restaurant.

I sing four hours a
night, four days a week.

So you... covers, like,
standards... Kaeyra: Covers, it's...

Literally, you can only do
covers. [ Chuckles ] Katy: I get it.

Yeah. Katy: If you
get to go to Hollywood,

I want to hear
something less slow

'cause you have this
vibrato that's really cool.

Yeah. All the world
is not a steakhouse.

[ Chuckles ] Yes, 100%.

All we're talking about
is range. Katy: Yeah.

If we can get some of
that moody voice you have

and put it across a fast song,
mid-tempo song, slow song,

you've got all the
range you need

to make an artist out of this.

Cool. Amazing. Okay?

Let's vote, you guys.

Yeah. I agree with Lionel.

I think you are an
artist. Thank you.

Katy: I think it's
in your blood.

And I think that the universe
has put you in the right places

just for this moment. Wow.

Yes. Thank you. Thank you.

It's a yes from me.

Wow. Thank you, Katy.

Uh, Luke Bryan?

[ Inhales deeply ]

Yes.

Ooh! Thank you.

Wow, and I have to
agree with Katy Curdy...

Katy Katy here. I
love Katy Curdy.

[ Laughs ] Yeah, Katy
Curdy, Curdy Katy.

I had it all messed up there. It's
my new yogurt line, Katy Curdy.

Yeah. Katy Curdy.
Yeah, that... Katy Curdy.

[ Chuckles ] I'd eat it.

[ Laughs ] But you know what?

It's in your blood.

And I think what we want
to do now is bring it all out,

and it's time to show
it off. Katy: That's right.

It's a yes from me,
and guess what...

One, two, three.

Judges: You're
going to Hollywood!

Thank you so much! [ Laughs ]

Thank you, thank you.
Tickets are over there.

Oh, my gosh! Right over there.

They're going up... They're flying
out of here today, kiddo. That's right.

And I will sing
a fast song next.

Yeah, let's do it.
Yeah. Yeah, do it.

[ Chuckling ] Okay.
Thank you so much.

Bye. Bye from Katy Curdy/Curry.

[ Laughing ] Katy
Curry. [ Laughter ]

I was trying to say...

I was trying to say
"Katy Katy," We're loopy.

And it came out "Katy
Curdy." [ Chuckles ]

Let's see how you're
doing. [ Screams ]

Mom! [ Laughs, claps ]

Katy said that she
sees music and artistry

is just in my blood.

That meant a lot coming from her

because she's literally,
like, the biggest pop star.

Congratulations. Ooh!
Thank you so much.

That's great. Thank you.

How does it feel
to hold that ticket?

Crazy. Crazy. Yeah?

♪ Won't you rain on me? Eh, eh ♪

Katy: Wow. Lionel: Wow.

We have talent.

When we start a season,

I'm, like, hoping and
praying. Oh, yeah.

I get that feeling because
you just never know

when your luck's
going to run out. Oh.

Well, Vegas has been great,

but, um, can I borrow
some money from y'all?

[ Chuckles ] [ Laughs ]

You lost it all last night, huh?

A little IOU. [ Paper tears ]

Oh, my God. Oh, hell, no.

We're cool with this?
No, no, no, no. No, no.

Coming in. Oh, yeah. Howdy. Hi.

The biggest
surprise of Season 21

is we have too much talent.

Tell us who you are,
where you're from.

I'm Elise Kristine.

I'm originally from
Washington state,

but I just moved to Utah for
college about a month ago.

Who are you? Don't
keep us guessing here.

I am Sarah Maccaroni.

Sarah Mac. Nice to
see you, Sarah Mac.

And where are you
from? Carrollton, Georgia.

Lionel: I love it because

each one has their
own unique style.

My name is Jayna Elise.

I actually come
from a musical family.

When I graduated high school,
I moved in with my grandfather

and performed with him in
his band for the next few years.

I'm loving it.

I've sung since I was, like, 3.

So, it's my entire life,

and I want it to be
the rest of my life.

Katy: What do you do
in Carrollton, Georgia?

Sarah: I am a bartender.

♪ Go on, shake
it just a little bit ♪

I'm also in a band.

I play live music
with my boyfriend.

We do, like, acoustic
duo stuff at bars.

♪ Can't stop ♪

These incredible
artists are coming out

and trusting us
with their talent.

All right, Mighty
Mouse. Let's go.

Let's go! [ Chuckles ]

Okay.

♪♪

♪ Looking out on
the morning rain ♪

♪ I used to feel so uninspired ♪

♪ And when I knew I
had to face another day ♪

♪ Lord, it made
me feel so tired ♪

♪ Before the day I met you ♪

♪ Life was so unkind ♪

♪ You're the key to
my peace of mind ♪

♪ 'Cause you make me feel ♪

♪ Yeah, you make me feel ♪

♪ Yeah, you make me
feel like a natural woman ♪

Yes. Yes.

♪ Don't wanna be
stone cold, stone ♪

♪ I wish I could mean this,
but here's my goodbyyye ♪

♪ Oh, I'm happy for you ♪

♪ Know that I am ♪

♪ Even if I can't understand ♪

Wow.

♪ If happy is her ♪

♪ If happy is her ♪

♪ I'm happy for you ♪

All right, all right.

That's how you do that!

♪ There's no chance for us ♪

♪ It's all decided for us ♪

♪ This world has only
one sweet moment ♪

♪ Set aside for us ♪

♪ So who wants
to live forever? ♪

♪ Who dares to love forever ♪

♪ Ohhh ♪

♪ When love must diiiiiie? ♪

Wow, wow.

All right. Thank you.

That is incredible.

Elise Kristine,
the next big thing.

[ Gasps ]

Jayna, you know what we
can't teach is stage presence.

The attitude, the look, the
confidence, everything good. Wow.

Thank you.

So let's vote, team.

Mighty Mouse. Yes, ma'am.

Yes. Thank you!

Yes.

It's a... Yes!

And it's a yes.

Now, I wrote "yes,"
and I'll say "yes."

Way to slay. Way to
slay. Way to go. Yay.

Judges: You're
going to Hollywood!

Blew it out of the water. Whoo!

Thank you so much! [ Laughs ]

Yeah, big celebration!
Whoo! [ Laughs ]

Congratulations. Oh, yes!

Yay!

[ Cheers and applause ]

[ Laughs ]

Whoo! Yes!

I'm going to Hollywood! Whoo!

I mean, that's four
for four. [ Chuckles ]

Elise: Hollywooood! Whoo!

Whoo! ♪ This is our moment ♪

Here we go. Let's rock it out.

Oh, Phred!

Oh. Oh, Phred's a rocker, man.

Phred's goin'...

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Hold on. [ Laughs ]

I don't know if you know, but
Phred plays with me in my band.

Oh, really?

We had a Halloween
costume contest,

and Phred came in
dressed as Prince.

He brought his electric guitar.

He basically got on top of
the tables and rocked it out.

It was hilarious.

Full disclosure...

Before he was in Katy's
band, he was in my band.

Excuse me? And he sat in...

Why are you playing all of us?

I mean... No, no. I mean...

Well, the only thing
I'm getting from this

is I can't afford
him. [ Laughter ]

Shred Phred. Shred
Phred. Shreddy Phreddy.

Nate Peck? Ryan Seacrest.

Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.

What made you want to
audition for American Idol?

Just my love for '80s music
and to share that passion with...

Your love for '80s
music. That's right.

♪♪

Incoming! All right.

How's it going?

What you got? Who are you?

I am Nate Peck.
I'm 21 years old.

Are these mullets a choice?

Yeah. Personal choice.

♪ Here I am ♪

I do a lot of '80s rock.

♪ Rock you like a hurricane ♪

It's the best music
around, Gen X.

♪ Are you ready, baby? ♪

Three top bands.

Great White, Dokken, and Ratt.

Oh. Wow. Whoa.

No wonder he has
a mullet. [ Chuckles ]

Currently, I'm fronting
a band called "Wanted."

♪ Rock you like a hurricane ♪

We do a lot of shows
in the Detroit area.

It's an energy b*mb,
and we're headbanging

and just moving around.

It's crazy. It's a riot 24/7.

Well, I'm here auditioning

because I want to spread
my love for '80s music.

I'm doing it for you, Gen X,

This is for you and for all the
people who love rock music.

♪ Here I am ♪

All right. What are you
going to sing today?

I'm going to sing "Lightnin'
Strikes Again" by Dokken.

All right, Phred.
You ready to shred?

[ Guitar plays ]

Holy [bleep] [bleep]!

Shred! [ Shouts ] Turn
Phred up some more.

[ Volume increases ]

♪♪

♪ The lights go down ♪

♪ You can feel it
all around you ♪

♪ Like a razor's edge
that cuts through the air ♪

Wow. Oh, it is.

♪ When the lightnin'
strikes again ♪

♪ And the lights go down ♪

♪♪

♪ And you might
be near the end ♪

♪ When the lightnin'
strikes again ♪

♪ Lightnin' strikes again ♪

♪ Lightniiiiiin' ♪

♪ Lightnin' strikes again ♪

♪ Lightniiiiiin' ♪

♪ Lightnin' strikes ♪

[ Chuckles ]

Katy: Oh. [ Exhales sharply ]

Like, I want to just start
putting quarters in the jukebox.

I mean, honestly. I just want
to take, like, my finished beer

and crush it against my
head. Wait. Wait a minute.

I want to sing, like,
the verse of Whitesnake

and then have you
kick in on the chorus.

[ Laughs ]

Don't do it... Don't do it

if you want to sing
for the next two weeks.

Wow. No, that's why he
comes in on the chorus.

Right. Wow.

I gotta get the lyrics. [
Chuckling ] Oh, man.

Katy: Oh, no. Oh, here
we go. Oh, get ready.

♪ Oh, I don't know
where I'm going ♪

♪♪

Both: ♪ But I sure
know where I've been ♪

♪♪

♪ Hanging on the promises ♪

♪ In the songs of yesterday ♪

♪ And I made up my mind ♪

Come on, Luke!

♪♪

♪ I ain't wasting no more time ♪

♪ Here I go again ♪

Warm it up!

♪♪

♪ Here I go again ♪

♪♪

♪ Here I goooooo ♪

♪♪

Katy: Again! Chorus!
Two, three, four, four...

♪ Here I go... ♪ ♪ Here
I go again on my own ♪

♪♪

♪ Going down the only
road I've ever known ♪

Lionel: Wow. ♪ Like a dr*fter ♪

♪ I was born to walk
alone ♪ Katy, car hood!

Huh? Car hood!

♪ And I made up my mind ♪

Sell some tickets, Katy.

♪ I ain't wasting no
more time ♪ [ Laughter ]

♪♪

Hey, Katy.

Lionel, stay away from that.

♪♪

♪ Ooh, yeah ♪ Come on, Tawny.

♪ Yeah ♪ [ Chuckles ]

Come on, Tawny.
God rest her soul.

♪♪

It was a little bit
like a seal getting up.

Do that high one one
more time. Hit that note.

♪ Ohhhhhh-ohhh ♪ [ Laughter ]

Ah! Ah!

I feel as if I
underperformed on that. Oh!

There's no way to get you off
that without tearing everything.

All right, good.
That was brilliant.

Have y'all noticed
an uptick in ratings

when Katy blows the crotch out?

Every season, I got to blow it.

Yeah! Sling a clutch.

♪ Yeaaah! ♪ Just bear with us.

♪ Yeaaah! ♪ Nate: Yes, sir.

[ High-pitched ] ♪
Here I goooooo! ♪

[ Laughter ] Be careful, Luke.

[ Normal voice ]
All right. All right.

Of all the rockers that
we've brought... You rocked it.

He's probably the best
rock singer we've had.

Ever that we've had.

Actually, he is so good. Mm.

Thank you.

I wonder if it could
emotionally connect

and not be, like,
a funny gimmick

if you were to
sing a current song.

Not that we need to hear
more, but just, like, who...

Who would you choose to be like?

You don't hop in
your IROC every day

and take the T-tops
off and roll. [ Laughter ]

You know, I hate to admit...

I don't really listen
to a lot of new rock.

I listen to a lot of old rock.

Old rock. So you do hop
in your IROC? [ Laughs ]

Yes, yes. [ Laughs
] Katy: Got it.

We've been doing
this for six years.

He's the nearest
thing that we've had

to potentially pull off the rock
voice. Yes, I agree. I agree.

I will agree.

I like your interpretation.
You can interpret.

That's all I'm just saying
here. Just be open.

Yeah, 'cause a lot of
people come in here

stuck in a certain era,
and they're stuck. Yeah.

You have the potential
to... You can weave.

You've got it. Thank you.

All right, let's
vote. I'm happy.

I want to see your
next performance.

I got a front-row seat.

It's a yes from
me. Thank you, sir.

Be careful about the
songs that you pick.

Um...

Listen, I'll give you a shot.

It's a yes.

Whoo! Thank you. Thank you.

I'm a yes.

Judges: You're going
to Hollywood! Sweet.

Right there's your golden ticket.
There's your golden ticket, right there.

Okay, thank you, guys.
Don't leave without it.

Oh, boy.

We got some good
news here. [ Screams ]

Congratulations, you're
going to Hollywood. Oh!

Oh, my God! [ Chuckles ]

Well done, man. Sweet.

Your mom was very nervous.

Thank you. [ Sobs quietly ]

Bringing the '80s to Hollywood.
That's true. That's right.

Right? Rock 'n' roll
is back on the show.

Phred, ready to shred.

♪ Here I go again ♪

He's badass.

♪♪

I'm going to
Hollywood, baby. Yes!

♪ Here I go again ♪

To be perfectly honest with you,

a lot of shenanigans
happened in that room.

Just a complete
zoo. It was wonderful.

♪ Here I go again ♪

I'm going to Hollywood!

♪♪

That bar keeps being
raised every year. Thank God.

Yo, what's poppin', y'all?

Oh. All right, here
we go. Hi, hi, hi.

♪ Let's run away ♪

This is much more difficult

than being inducted in the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh-oh ♪

As far as the
competition is concerned,

we know where the show is.

I think you need to really
think about being a big star.

[ Laughter ]

Judges: You're
going to Hollywood!

Oliver: I will
never forget today.

[ Sobbing ] Luke:
That was incredible.

Welcome home. Welcome home.

I love you. I love you.

It's rare that one
gets a second shot.

Fire: Yeah.

Katy: I mean...

you could win this thing.

♪ I'm on my way to
Nashville, Tennessee ♪

♪ Look, Mama, ain't
you proud of me? ♪

Yes. I'm proud of you.

Look at you... I mean,
the baby girl of the family.

[ Chuckles ] And you're
going to the next level.

I know you're
ready. You're ready.

♪ Time is racing,
you were my favorite ♪

Now, what's behind that
smile when you think about

what your daughter's
about to do? Um.

Don't make me cry
before I go in there.

Pride. Yeah.

And now I get to
sit back and, uh...

[Voice breaking] watch her...

walk to the next thing.

Geez. [ Both laugh ]

You got me, man.

♪♪

♪ Time is moving ♪

Aha! Hey, hey. Hellooo!

Katy: Whoo-whoo! Hello.

Come on in. How you
doing? Great look, you guys.

We're good. Great.
How are you guys?

I have to tell you, this is
a photo sh**t right here.

Thank you. We try. I
picked out his outfit.

That's not true.
It's a k*ller outfit.

[ Laughter ] k*ller outfit.

So, tell us who you
are, where you're from.

I am Mikenley Brown.

I'm from New Castle,
Indiana, and I'm 17 years old.

And who is this
you have with you?

The supermodel? This
is my dad. My best friend.

This is your dad?
Yeah. Luke: Wow!

Good God, man. Dad,
you're doing all right.

Yeah. [ Chuckles ] Don't cry.

Don't start crying yet, Dad.

I know, y'all.
Hang in there, Dad.

Let me sing first, at least.

I'm doing good.

What does this
audition mean to you?

[ Sighs ] Um, this audition
is confirmation to me, um...

I've been through
a lot. [ Sobs quietly ]

[ Sniffles ] You're good.

You got this. Tell us about it.

♪♪

All through elementary,
I had a lot of friends.

I had a lot of fun. I
always knew who I was.

But when I started
middle school,

things really started
to change for me

just because of the
way that I dressed

and the way that I looked
and the way that I sang.

♪ My mind and me ♪

When you are being who you are

and everyone's telling you
every day, like, all the time,

"Oh, you're fat, you're
ugly, you're worthless"...

I just finally...
I just gave in.

"Well, maybe these
people are right."

And so, I went through a
really hard time with not eating.

Mike: When you know somebody's
hurting your kids... [ Breathes sharply ]

it's very heartbreaking.

And then, you also realize
that your kid is hurting herself,

which, um...

[ Exhales deeply ]

[Voice breaking] takes it

to a whole other place.

Mikenley: We were in doctors'
and hospitals all the time

because, just... My
body was just failing.

Like, one of the last
hospital trips I took,

the doctor, like, looked
me in the face and was like,

"You're gonna die."

[ Crying ] Like, "Your
life's almost over."

It just... It really
opens your eyes.

Mike: She had to find her voice

and realize she
wasn't created to fit in.

[ Voice breaking ] I feel like
I've got my daughter back.

Mikenley: My dream now
is to just follow my heart.

And I've known that
for the longest time,

and I lost it, and I'm
here, and I found it again,

and that's why I'm here.

And by the way, it's a
victory just for you to be here.

Yeah. Yes. Enjoy this.

All right. All right,
take the pressure off.

I am.

What are you gonna sing for us?

I'm singing "Love on the
Brain" by Rihanna today.

Oh. We're ready for you.

You ready? All right, let's go.

I love you. [ Clears throat ]

♪♪

[ Exhales softly ]

♪ Ohhhh, ooh-ooooooh ♪

♪ Ohhhhhh ♪

♪ And you got me like ♪

♪ Ohhhhhh ♪

♪ What you want from me? ♪

♪ And I tried to buy
your pretty heart ♪

♪ But the price too high ♪

♪ Baby, you got
me like ohhhhhh ♪

♪ You know, when I fall apart ♪

♪ So you can put me together ♪

♪ And throw me
against the wall ♪

♪ Baby, you got me like ♪

♪ Aaaaaay ♪

♪ Aaaaaaaay ♪

♪ Don't you stop loving me ♪

♪ Don't quit loving me ♪

♪ Just start loving me ♪

♪ Ohhhhhh ♪

♪ And, babe, I'm
fist fighting with fire ♪

♪ Just to get close to you ♪

♪ Can we burn something, babe? ♪

♪ And I'll run for miles
just to get a taste ♪

♪ Must be love on
the braaaaaain ♪

♪ That's got me
feelin' this way ♪

♪ It beats me black and blue ♪

♪ And I can't get enough ♪

♪ Must be love on
the braaaaaain ♪

♪ And it keeps cursing my name ♪

♪ No matter what I do,
I'm no good without you ♪

♪ And I can't get enough ♪

♪ Must be love on
the braaaaaain ♪

♪ Must be love on the braaaain ♪

♪ Must be loooooove ♪

♪ On the braaaaaain ♪

[ Laughs ] Luke: Mm.

[ Chuckling ] Thank you.

[ Breathes deeply ]

All right. [ Exhales sharply ]

You did that. I did.

Oh, my gosh.
Yeah, you did, okay?

So all that teasing at school
about your voice and all...

Phew. Behind you. Now I'm
sitting right here in front of you guys.

Yeah, yeah. Just throw
that behind you. [ Laughs ]

That's... That was...
That was great.

Luke, what do you think
about this young lady?

One of the most important things

in this journey of American Idol

is for someone to
kind of have a thing.

And you just got a thing,
you know. [ Chuckles ]

It's not like you have a thought
process when you sing. Right.

You just sing because
it just comes out of you.

You look like that you
were born to do this.

Whew. You know, our value
comes from deep inside...

A self-love that I had to
go on a journey to find,

and thank God you
found it before you started.

Lionel: Yeah, exactly.

'Cause now, the house
will be built correctly.

[ Chuckles ]

A lot of times, what
artists don't realize

is they wait till they
get about 35 to 40

and then crash and
burn. [ Chuckles ]

Right? You crashed
and burned early. Yeah.

Yeah. So you got
that out of the way.

Is that what I'm in the
middle of right now? Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

See, you crashed and
burned early. Yeah.

So from here on out, now you go,

"Okay, I did that."

Now you've got all
of that nice sunshine

right in front of
you. That's right.

I can spot your voice
from any other contestant.

That's called style.

♪ Safe and sound ♪

Yeah.

So, I just think we need to
vote you up to the next level

and get this onto the future.

Luke, what do
you think about it?

Yes. [ Chuckles ]

Katy? I say top 24, at least.

Ohhh!

It's a yes. Wow, wow.

♪ I will be the light that carries you
through the storm ♪ And you know what?

I'll stand up on this because,
number one, it's a yes,

and number two...

Judges: You're
going to Hollywood!

[ Cheers ] [ Applause ]

♪ I will be the light that carries
you through the storm ♪ Dad.

Oh! Mike: Yeah.

If you can get any words
out, what does this mean?

[ Mikenley sniffling ]

Um... [ Exhales sharply ]

[ Voice breaking ] I've
been fortunate enough

to see all my children be born.

[ Mikenley sniffling ]

It's like I'm watching
her be born again.

So this is everything.
Everything.

[ Mikenley breathes
deeply ] Thank you.

♪ I will lift you up,
whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

Oh! Congratulations!
I'm going to Hollywood!

[ Laughter ]

How many different
emotions did you guys feel

in the last minute? All of them.

Oh! All of them.

[ Laughter ] All of them.

Luke: Oh, he's
killin' me. Katy: Yeah.

Mike: I'm proud of you, kiddo.

Thanks. I love you. I love you.

Mike: To watch her just blossom

and see everybody
acknowledge... [ Mikenley chuckles ]

[Voice breaking] what I see

and what her mom sees.

Mikenley: This...
This is something that

I never imagined could happen.

I'm going to Hollywood!

♪ I'm wide awake ♪ Katy: Ugh.

What did I do wrong, Katy?

Everything. [ Chuckles ]

What? I just need
to go to sleep.

[Smacks lips ] Ah!

First of all, do you realize...

[ Laughs ] The
world doesn't know it,

but I'm going to tell
you something. What?

Both of these...

All three of us, I should say...

Came from shows to here.

♪ Yeah, I'm falling
from cloud nine ♪

Oh, my God. I had 4
hours of sleep. I mean.

Honestly... I played
a show last night.

Hey, kids, you want
to be in the business?

You think you're
going to just relax

and buy an ocean afterwards? No!

No! No!

[ Laughter ]

♪♪

♪ I'm wide awake ♪

[ Laughter ]

My plan when I go in
there is to wow them,

to make them happy.

That's really the goal.

Coming in. Oh, yeah.

Yo, what's poppin', y'all?

Oh. Alright, here we
go. How you doing?

This is nice. What's poppin'?

I'm chillin'. How are
you, Ms. Katy Perry?

Chillin' like a
villain. [ Chuckles ]

Isaac: Alright. Love the jacket.

Thank you so
much. Is that vintage?

Um, it could be.

We gonna act
like it is. [ Laughs ]

Who are you? Who are you?

My name is Isaac
Brown. And I'm 21.

I live in Los Angeles.

You do? Me and my mom.

Is it just you and your
mom? It's me and my mom.

What do you do in L. A.?

I'm a busker on
Hollywood Boulevard.

It's hard to get some attention
on Hollywood Boulevard.

It's pretty crowded. It
is. It's super crowded.

Yeah, I have to add a little
dance. You got the "Star Wars" guy.

Yeah, right! [ Chuckles
] A little... You know.

You got a Michael
Jackson impersonator.

So many of them.

Always. [ Chuckles ] So many.

You're going to have to fight
over all those people. Right.

Alright. Well, what are
you going to play for us?

I'm going to be singing
"Golden Hour" by JVKE.

Okay. Wow. Very good.

♪♪

Yeah.

♪ It was just two lovers ♪

♪ Sittin' in the car ♪

♪ Listening to Blonde ♪

♪ Fallin' for each other ♪

♪ Pink and orange skies,
feelin' super childish ♪

♪ No Donald Glover ♪

♪ Missed call from my
mother ♪ [ Snaps fingers ]

♪ Like, "Where you at
tonight?" Got no alibi ♪

♪ I was all alone
with the love... ♪

I'm really proud of you.

You're going to do great.

You've been waiting
for this a long time.

I'm excited, especially,

just what could come
from the opportunity.

And they could
change our lives, really.

♪ I don't need no
light to see you shine ♪

♪ In your golden hour ♪

Isaac: Busking life is a...
It's an up-and-down life.

Sometimes it has
its highs and its lows.

But this is something I've
been preparing for my entire life.

And I've been practicing,
and I've been doing

just shows after shows,

just so I can really get to
this point, so I could be heard.

This is the moment to shine.

I got to go in there
and get that ticket.

♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Oooh-oooh-ooooh ♪

Hey! [ Isaac chuckles
] Alright. Okay.

Do you got something
where you got,

like, a little choreography?

Isaac: A little something?
Because I know you move.

You know I move,
Katy. Katy: I want to see.

I'm gonna play with it. Okay.
Katy: Alright, see? Come on, now.

We don't have a
whole lot of entertainers.

There we go. That's
all she had to say.

Entertain, I got you. Okay,
so I want to be entertained.

Bet. I got you, Ms.
Katy. Katy: Okay.

Alright, let's get it. Katy:
So what do you want to do?

I'm going to do "Essence" then.

Katy: Alright. That's
a little bit more groovy.

Katy: Okay. Get
some sounds going.

♪♪

♪ Oooh, yeah ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh, yeah ♪

Yeah. Come on, lay
it down. Lay it down.

♪ Say, I don't wanna
leave you in the mornin' ♪

♪ But I need you now, yeah ♪

♪ Listen, ah, oh, yeah ♪

♪ I find you, and I give
you all you're needing ♪

♪ I know what you like, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I feel it comin', yeah ♪

There you go, my man. Come on.

♪ Time is of the essence ♪

♪ I, yeah, I feel it coming ♪

♪ Yeah, hey, but I
don't need no lesson ♪

♪ Yeah, I need to give it all ♪

Hey, hey. Come on, now.

♪ I tried to leave,
but I can't, hey, no ♪

♪ I don't know why
you're the one ♪

Yeah. Listen. Wait.

♪ Turn me out of my mind ♪

Isaac: Wait, This is my
favorite part, though. Wait.

[ Laughs ] Okay,
okay. Isaac: Listen.

♪ You don't need no other body ♪

♪ Hey, oh-na-na,
hey ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪

♪ You don't need no other body ♪

♪ No ♪

♪ Only you fi hold my body ♪

♪ Oh-na-na ♪

♪ Only you fi hold my body ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Oooh-oh-ah, yeah ♪ Katy: Hey.

On the spot, just
cold. [ Laughs ]

Oh, my God, man. Oh, my God.

[ Applause ]

Finally, we get some
sauce in New Orleans.

Barbecue sauce. Ugh.

Isaac: Ooh, I like barbecue
sauce. Hot sauce. It's hot.

Massive barbecue hot sauce.
It's hot. It's the hot sauce.

I am so happy

that you brought
some flavor to the table.

You can do R&B
with your eyes closed.

You can do pop
with your eyes closed.

It's just a matter of
what you want to sing.

Thank you. Your
voice is very versatile

and rhythmic, which I love.

You know how to
perform... Katy: Mm.

Which is going to be

probably your ace
in the hole. Mm-hmm.

Yeah, I think you
have the potential

to be incredible.

I think there's a couple
of things in your voice.

I think I want us to start

pointing at you and saying,

"Don't do that as much." Mm-hmm.

Gotcha. But I think your voice

has a crazy amount of
potential. Unbelievable.

Thank you. And I
think you need to really

think about being a big star.

I think he thinks
about it. Oh, yeah.

Every day. [ Laughter ]

Every day. Yeah.

Can I call you Izzy-B?

Listen, Katy, you can
call me... [ Chuckles ]

whatever you want. [
Chuckles ] Katy: Okay.

Izzy-B. Whatever you
want to call me. [ Laughs ]

Isaac: Well, yeah, whatever.

Izzy-B the busy bee.

I like it. Katy:
You are just fun.

Thank you. You're fun,
you're levity and light.

And that is so necessary

in a serious competition,
in a dark world.

And it's nice to
be able to, like,

get some of your
shine in the room.

I think you need to capture
a little bit more emotion...

Gotcha, gotcha. And feelings...

'cause that's when
you really win,

when you can bring
the light and the love.

Gotcha.

So I think we're gonna
take a vote, Izzy-B.

Izzy-B. Izzy-B, baby.

[ Laughs ]

♪ But I see a little sunshine ♪

Yes.

♪ Shining through ♪

Yes.

♪ Ain't got no
time to be wastin' ♪

My dear brother,

it's a yes.

Thank you.

You're not gonna go

to the streets of Hollywood.

You're gonna go

to "American Idol's"...

Both: Hollywood!

♪ Dancing my way, all day ♪

♪ Gonna take you to
another place, baby ♪

[ Cheering ]

Isaac: I don't even
have words fully for it.

This is the beginning of
what I've been waiting for.

I don't cry much, but
y'all had me crying.

Oh, goodness.

I can't get it
together. [ Chuckles ]

The whole reason why I
was performing on the street

is to get to this point.

And it... it happened.

♪ Gonna take you to
another place, baby ♪

I love him. I love him.

♪ Gonna take you to
another place, baby ♪

Luke: Oh, heavens to Betsy.

[ Clapping ] Lionel: My man.

I miss you. Hey, babe.

It's so fun to follow up

with all these kids
from seasons past.

My name is Laci Kaye
Booth, and he beat me.

[ Chuckles ]

Ooh.

You're gonna make me
cry. Oh, my God. Please.

Hi, my beautiful buddy.
They come home.

They come home.

We could see the growth

and see their
whole lives changed.

See them on tour.

♪ You say someday
when we're older ♪

♪ We'll be shinin'
like we're gold, yeah ♪

You're traveling
around the world. I am.

Are you so glad you did this?

It changed my whole entire life.

All you had to do was come
on this little oval... [ Chuckles ]

and your whole dang
life has changed, right?

Laine: Completely.

Man: If I had never
heard Laine sing,

I probably wouldn't
be here right now.

I've never saw
anything like that.

It's a reminder, even to
these new contestants,

that life is too short to
not go for your dreams.

Woman: I am a huge
fan of Laci Kaye Booth.

She was really the
reason that I auditioned.

♪ Someday we'll
be all that we need ♪

What was it like for you

when you first went
in for that audition?

I don't even think I knew
my name at the time.

I was so nervous.

And so I just wanted
to tell you that...

To not be nervous.

Are you nervous right now?

Always. Yeah,
always. [ Laughter ]

The thing is, with nervousness,

I think just go up there

and just give it all your
heart and be yourself.

I'm rooting for you.

♪ Oh, you say someday
when we're older ♪

♪ We'll be shinin'
like we're gold, yeah ♪

What's up? Whoo!

How are you doing?

You're doing good? Oh, my gosh.

My hands are still sweating.

That's all good. Yeah. Yeah.

Rub them on the pants
legs and let's... Yeah.

I've been trying,
man. Let's get to work.

Yes. Yes, sir. Get 'em
dirty. Tell us who you are.

I'm Cam Amen.

I'm originally from
Indianapolis, Indiana,

but I moved to Nebraska
with my girlfriend.

Good deal. Nebraska, wow.

And how young are you? I am 27.

Gosh, you don't look
27. I appreciate it.

No, you don't, man. You
really don't. You look 18.

Yeah, right. And now
tell us about growing up.

It was a bit rough going
in and out of foster care.

It was, you know... It's not...

Not the normal
life, of course, but...

[ Sighs ]

Oh, Lord, here we go. [
Chuckles ] [ Chuckles ]

That's okay. Take
your time, man.

We all got taken away from...

from our mom.

♪♪

♪ It's gotten hard
for me to recognize ♪

I just remember being
taken out of my classroom

by police officers, and
I'm holding my brother.

We didn't know
what was going on.

We were crying
and waiting for mom.

♪ Staring down at the
hand that I've been dealt ♪

She never came.

♪ What a time, what a
time, what a time to be alive ♪

We were in foster care

a long, long time.

I did leave at 18 and took
in my brother and sister.

I just... I knew I had
to raise them right

and get them
through high school.

♪ 'Cause it's more
than you and I ♪

And how long did you step into

that role of the caretaker?

About five years.

How old are the kids now?

My brother is 21
now. My sister is 20.

So they're on their own?

Yeah, they're on their
own now. You did your job.

You did it well. Yeah.

And now it's your time.

♪ Eyes open ♪

I actually never thought
I'd be at this point.

You're finally doing something

that you've always wanted to do.

You've been through
so many things.

And you're right here.

I love you.

[ Chuckles ]

The most amazing thing
is you're dreaming... Yeah.

'cause you're right here.
Katy: You're still dreaming.

Absolutely, man.
You're still dreaming,

and you're teaching
those siblings

how to dream, too, and
how to work... Cam: Exactly.

And how to keep smiling.

Wow. Well, what are
you gonna sing today?

I'm gonna be
singing "Hallelujah."

Wow. That's a great song choice.

[ Laughter ]

We're excited.

♪♪

♪ Now, I've heard there
was a secret chord ♪

♪ That David played,
and it pleased the Lord ♪

♪ But you don't really
care for music, do you? ♪

♪ Well, it goes like
this, the fourth, the fifth ♪

♪ The minor falls
and the major lifts ♪

♪ Baffled king
composing Hallelujah ♪

Mm. Ooh.

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I did my best,
but it wasn't much ♪

♪ I couldn't feel,
so I tried to touch ♪

♪ I told the truth ♪

♪ I didn't [scoffs]
come to fool you ♪

♪ And even though
it all went wrong ♪

♪ I stand before
the Lord of song ♪

♪ With nothing on my
tongue but Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

Sing it.

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah-aaaah ♪

Oh.

♪ Hallelujaaaaah-aaaah ♪

♪ Aaaaah-oooooh ♪

[ Sighs ]

[ Crying ]

Lionel: Come here. Come here.

Ooh.

That was incredible.

Welcome home. Welcome home.

Alright?

♪♪

Thank you, guys.

You've been through a lot,

but the rest of your
life is waiting on you.

You hear me?

Yes, sir. God bless
you, man. God bless you.

[ Sighs ]

Luke: I can't hardly breathe.

No.

Well, man, let me, you know...

This is our sixth year here.

And, you know, stylistically,

your style is so
beautifully unique.

Yep, it is. I mean, I
don't have anybody

that I've seen in this
chair to compare you to.

And every time I wanted
you to do something amazing,

you did it. [ Chuckles ]

It was just incredible.

I mean, you came out
of being upset and crying

and just started
singing like that.

I mean, you didn't even
have all the tears dried.

I'm sorry. I started talking.

Katy. No, it's...

It's all... It's all
true. Oh, man.

Listen, it sounds like
you never got a shot.

It sounds like you
had to sacrifice. Yes.

Katy: You don't need
to hold on to it anymore.

Just let it come out.

Cam, do you believe
in divine guidance?

Yes, I do, actually.

It just happened.

For whatever reason,

that divine guidance
brought you to us.

And my friend,

we are going to have
one heck of a ride.

[ Chuckles ]

Okay?

Cam, who are you here with?

I'm here with my
girlfriend, Erica.

Get her in here? Sure,
why not? Why not?

Let's get her in here.

It's a moment, you know?

Absolutely.

I can't hit a note when I cry.

He may be the best soul
singer we've ever had.

[ Chuckles ] Without
a doubt. Absolutely.

I agree with Luke.

How you doing there, girlfriend?

Oh, just dandy.

[ Laughs ]

How's it going?

What do you think about

this special guy next to you?

He's amazing. [ Chuckles ]

He's everything I
could ever see in a man

that I would, like, just
want to be with forever.

And he has just
really captivated us

with his talent,

his story, his voice.

And we're about
to reward you guys.

It's just the best way we
know how to love on y'all.

So we've got two
types of tickets.

Yeah? We have the gold ticket,

and then we have this thing

called a platinum ticket.

And a platinum ticket,

we kinda save it for people

that we just feel might
be a little more special

than your average American Idol.

And that platinum
ticket gives you

a couple of little advantages.

And I tell you what,
there's no doubt

you've earned the right to
an advantage. That's right.

You've earned this one, buddy.

[ Both chuckle ]
You've earned this one.

So, Cam, it's a yes.

Together: You're going
to Hollywood! [ Chuckles ]

♪ Gotta be me, gotta be I ♪

♪ Gotta be who I
know I am inside ♪

You are going to Hollywood

as one of our
platinum ticket winners.

[ Laughter ]

That lets you sit out

the first round of
Hollywood Week.

♪ It just took me
a minute to find it ♪

And watch all the
other contestants

get up there and sweat it out.

♪ Who I am ♪

You two ought to
go grab it together.

♪ Who I am ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you for making our day.

♪ Lookin' back,
back on a little boy ♪

♪ Never gave him a
chance to ever be more ♪

Cam: It's the first time I ever
went for something for myself.

And it's a dream.
It's a dream, man.

This is a blessing right here.

This is [laughs]
the platinum ticket.

I got the platinum ticket, guys.

Oh, my God.

I just can't wait to show
my brother and sister

what I've actually done.

I know they're gonna be excited.

♪♪

Woman: This is a one-wheel.

You'll put your left foot
on the foot pad there.

And then you just
lean forward to go.

Oh, my God.

You're doing great.

Ryan: I probably look fantastic.

Do you remember how to dismount?

Yep. Got it. No
problem. [ Laughs ]

Sorry, Lambert.

Is Ryan alive? Where's Ryan?

This is the best job in
the world, but it's crazy.

Oh, God.

Hi! Lionel: Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh.

Presentation City.

Hello, hello!

Even the judges
have to be on their toes

'cause we don't know
what they're throwing at us.

Uh-uh-uh! Security!

Luke: What's your
name? Are you about to...

[ Whistles ]

You didn't have Wi-Fi, did you?

[ Laughter ]

[ Buzzing lips ]

That's me on a daily basis.

[ Laughter ]

♪ I've got a brand-new
pair of roller skates ♪

♪ You got a brand-new key ♪

Well, this is a good place to
put all the voices in your head.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Okay. Oh, yeah!

Oh, yeah!

We're weird today.
We're weird today.

But we're having a damn blast.

♪ Then you make
my heart com... ♪

Come on.

♪♪

Drop it. I thought you
were gonna drop it!

Drop the beat!

I was coming in like...

[ Both imitate beat crescendo ]

Come on.

Zo, I'm a no.

Zoe, I'm a no, too.
Thank you for being here.

Thank you. It's gonna
be a no for me this trip.

But go thataway
to the puppet world,

and bring this
joy to the masses.

I... Okay.

SPOONSFOR, stay weird.

But I'm a no. I'm sorry.

[ Whistles ]

[ Laughs ]

Can I have a makeup clean up?

Wait, wait, wait.
Hold it. [ Whistling ]

[ Laughter ]

Let's go for another one. Let's go.
Let's keep the weirdness flowing.

Uh-oh, here we are. Hi, hi, hi.

Why are you holding a spoon?

This is my microphone.

Oh, and I bedazzled it for TV,

so she matches me. [
Chuckles ] Bedazzled?

Katy: She's ready to
serve. Bedazzle. I love that.

She's ready to serve. Serve up.

I said I'm scooping up my
talent and throwing it at you.

There you go. Who are ya?

My name is Sierra
Harris. I am 20 years old.

I grew up in Lexington,
Massachusetts.

Tell us about
growing up in Mass.

It's very different [laughs]
than you would expect.

Everyone's kind of got, like,
a trailer-park mouth a little bit.

My grandma's a little
hardcore, you know.

Trailer-park
mouth? A little bit.

What's wrong with that?

I like it, to be
honest. There you go.

I mean, I'm a tough cookie,
if I'm gonna be honest.

I hope I have thick-enough skin.

I think so.

What are you gonna sing today?

"Barracuda" by Heart. Ooh.

She looks the part.

What? Let's do it.
I like the rock stuff.

Alright. ♪ Barracuda ♪

Mm.

[ Imitates bassline ]

♪♪

♪ So this ain't the end,
I saw you again today ♪

♪ I had to turn my heart away ♪

♪ Smile like the sun,
kisses for everyone ♪

♪ And tales, it never fails ♪

♪ You're lyin' so
low in the weeds ♪

♪ I bet you wanna ambush me ♪

♪ You have me down, down,
down, down on my knees ♪

♪ Now wouldn't you, Barracuda? ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

Alright, Sierra.
"Barracuda" is tough...

Mm-hmm. To get a read.

Yeah. Do you agree?

Yeah. Absolutely. Sierra: Okay.

I sing that after six shots.

[ Laughter ] Yeah, "Barracuda"
is like a caricature song.

Right. Right. Sierra: Yeah. And
I don't even remember I sing it.

I mean, you have
a tremendous voice.

Can you sing "Firework"?

Yeah.

♪ Baby, you're a firework ♪

♪ Come on, let
your colors burst ♪

♪ Make 'em go, "oh, oh, oh" ♪

♪ We're gonna leave 'em
going, "Awe, awe, awe" ♪

Wow! [ Laughter ]

It's okay, Katy.

It's okay, honey.
Katy: I take that back.

It's okay. It's okay. What?!

You walked right into it. You
didn't know. You didn't know.

I walked right into it. Smash
you on the head with her spoon?

It was a... Katy, I
love you. I'm sorry.

It's a buzzsaw, baby.

Sierra, get serious.

I'm serious. No. No.

Get serious. Okay.

Like, you're doing
all this [bleep]

and you don't even care. Aah!

Talk about trailer... Right?

No. You know what it's like?

It's like you're
just at karaoke.

Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

Look, I wanted you
to sing "Firework"

because that's a
challenging song to sing.

Right. Absolutely. Katy:
And you slayed that.

I have to squeeze both of my
butt cheeks together so hard.

I mean, honestly.

I'm squeezing
mine, too. [ Laughs ]

Some people have to be gimmicky

because they can't sing. Right.

Damn it, you can sing,
and you can sing well.

Your voice is not your
party trick anymore. Right.

Right, right. Katy: Okay?

Your voice is your purpose.

Mm-hmm. I'm here
for a reason. I truly am.

You know, those songs
are great by great artists.

Did you just brag
on yourself? Huh?

"Those songs are great
by great artists." No!

[ Laughs ] Are you
including yourself?

Yes. And Luke.

I love to be out there
in my performance

'cause that's who
I am as a person.

So, I like people that sh**t it.
Yeah, but, you know, going back,

dialing it back to the '80s

and re-creating that,
it doesn't work. Okay.

You've got to determine
what you want to be.

Okay. Yeah.

Alright. You were a
big, old cheesy no.

Okay.

But you're a big,
old... yes now.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

I'll make you proud, I promise.

I think if you apply a
lot of stuff real quick,

you're gonna do real well.

I'm a yes.

♪ I don't belong to anyone ♪

You've got so much promise.
It's a yes for me, okay?

I'm telling you. Thank
you. Thank you so much.

Together: You're going
to Hollywood. Thank you!

Absolutely! Thank you!

I will make you
proud, I promise.

Just don't be the joke.

Just put a fork in the
spoon for Hollywood.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Yes, yes, yes! I'm
going to Hollywood!

Oh, my God!

[ Laughs ] Oh, my God.

♪ Ooh, said ooh ♪

I did it.

Luke: She so didn't know
how good she can sing.

She's too busy. Oh, my
God, man, I'm sitting here.

She's too busy. She
had no effort. Yeah.

Did you say hello to
Lionel Richie for Dad?

Oh, I forgot. Oh, no. [ Laughs ]

Lionel: Oh, my God.

I mean, she was
just, "Ha, ha, ha, ha."

I mean, none of
those songs are easy.

Holy crap.

Bye, silver. Here comes gold.

I'm going to Hollywood! Aaaah!

♪ Ooh, baby, ooh, said ooh ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪♪

We've been finding stars
on this show for 21 years.

♪ It's your thing ♪

They're not trying to be
the next Whitney Houston.

Or they're not trying to be the
next person that's already here.

♪ Well, they call
me the fireman ♪

Katy: Whoo! ♪ That's my name ♪

♪ Name ♪ ♪ Name ♪

What you're doing, I did.

I would try to sound
like Merle Haggard.

Until you find your
trademark... Right.

That's what's going to
really sell your career.

♪ Oh, it's your thing ♪

It took many
years for Katy Perry

to put pinwheels on her boobs.

[ Laughter ]

Right? [ Laughs ] Oh, no.

Lionel: We try to
find... Who are you?

That's the question that we ask.

Is this comfortable, that
I'm right here with you

during the confessional?
Of course. Yeah.

You're making me feel better.
Okay. What's the next question?

Man, I didn't know
you were a real person.

I've only seen you
on TV all these years.

[ Laughter ]

My name is Phillip Kane.

I'm 18 years old,

and I'm currently a student
at Belmont University.

What are you
studying? Songwriting.

What kind of things do
you write about, personally?

Oh, I write about dirt
roads, girls, um [chuckles]

In that order?

Oh, sometimes.

I mean, I guess you'll hear it
in the song I'm about to play.

It's about pretty much in
that order. What happens?

Does the road get paved,
and does the girl stay?

No, no, no.

We'll never pave over
some of the gravel roads.

Never.

♪ 16 years in Osage County ♪

♪ Will teach you
a couple things ♪

♪ Like killin' time
and waitin' the line ♪

♪ Hoping anything will bite ♪

♪ It'll teach you to
enjoy the little things ♪

♪ And everything
a new day brings ♪

♪ Like winnin' a
game of football ♪

♪ On a chilly Friday night ♪

♪ So take that county road ♪

♪ That you've been
wantin' to drive for so long ♪

♪ With the girl that's
got your heart tied up ♪

♪ In a way that
should be wrong ♪

♪ Show off that truck
and speed it up ♪

♪ Till she yells
at you to stop ♪

♪ And say, "We'll look
back and have a laugh" ♪

♪ Just being young
and being dumb ♪

♪ It's about dang
time I leave this town ♪

♪ But it's harder
than you may think ♪

♪ 'Cause when a friend of
yours is a friend of mine ♪

♪ In Osage County ♪

♪♪

♪♪

Good. Very good on that one.

Thank you.

Oh, my gosh. Stop.

Oh, my gosh.

Country Jackson Browne.

Yes, sir, buddy.

Whoo! Yes, sir.

Alright. You got it
done there, big boy.

Yes, you did. Yes,
you did. Thank you.

Thank you, guys. Oh,
my God. Yes, you did.

The moment you
started playing the piano,

your choices on the piano
gave me chills. Mm-hmm.

And then the
storytelling of your song.

I believed every single word.

It was just so real,

and I really related
to it. Mm-hmm.

I'm not even from
your little old town,

but I want to go and visit now.

Osage County, I'm
coming! I'm buying a shirt!

Come on. Whoo!
They're gonna love you.

It's just authenticity
will get you so far.

It's not about notes.
It's about telling a story.

Isn't it, Lionel
Richie? Ab-so-lutely.

Phil, I'm gonna
tell you something,

songwriter to songwriter.

Checked all the boxes.

Your parallels were perfect.
Your hook was perfect.

The storytelling
voice was perfect.

And the fact that you
wrote that, my friend,

at 18 years old?

Give me a break.

I actually wrote it when
I was 16. That's even...

It was the first
song I ever wrote.

I gotta tell you, honestly,
that was dead on the money.

We know who your
character is. Oh, my gosh.

We know exactly
what your sound is.

That was brilliant,
what you just did.

Thank you. Thank you.

People don't have
it, and people got it.

And you got it.
We have an artist.

Yeah. Great job. Great
job. Thank you, guys.

If you go to this shiny place
called Hollywood... Yes, ma'am.

Katy: don't try and
compete with everyone else.

Just try and highlight
who you already are.

Don't try and be
something you're not,

'cause that's
how you'll not win.

Yeah. Be authentic. Yes, sir.

You know, our winner
last year was the simplest,

most understated
person in the competition

'cause people believed him.

That's right. Yeah. Yeah.

Lionel?

On those great words...

Yes.

♪ It's the place ♪

Yes!

Yes.

[ Laughs ] Oh, my.

Katy: Whoo-hoo! Oh, my gosh.

You can't see the stars in the
sky in Hollywood. It was a pleasure.

Good to see you. But you can
see them real close. A pleasure.

Is our little songbird
coming out?

Your little songbird? Is
that what you call him?

Well... Here comes
our little songbird.

And he's flying to
Hollywood. [ Cheering ]

You did it, honey!
Congratulations!

You did it!

I'm having a whirlwind
of emotions right now.

I don't even know. It
doesn't even feel real.

And I don't even remember
what just happened. [ Laughs ]

Congratulations,
Phil. Thank you.

Alright. See ya. Great
to meet you, Ryan.

I just think that if you
truly love what you do

and you're passionate
about it, stick to it,

no matter what anyone
in your little town says.

He's got some special sunshine
about him. Oh, I love him.

I love him.

Yeah. Sorry.

Oh.

Cyndi: You did it! [ Laughs ]

So proud of you.

I just can't believe it.

My name is Oliver
Steele. I'm 25.

I'm a singer/songwriter
from Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

[ Humming ]

My dad was a
professional guitar player.

He was definitely a
massive influence.

All my life, I hoped that
you would carry this on.

Lionel: Your dad should
be very proud of you.

[ Crying ]

If I had it my way,
he'd be playing for me.

Brooklyn: ♪ And don't
you know I'm still standing ♪

♪ Better than I ever did ♪

♪ Picking up the pieces of my
life without you on my mind ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm still standing ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I'm still standing ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Lionel: The piano
playing is insane,

but I think you need to work
on that vocal identity more.

Katy: You're lifting spirits,

but vocally it needs
some more levels

in order to put you into this
huge gauntlet of a competition.

♪ I'm still standing,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Hey, shut the door. Alright.

Let me tell you the wonderful
thing about making it.

Fail young. Fail often.

♪ You know, I'm still standing ♪

No? It was a no
today. It was a no.

And if it's not for you
the first time around,

come on back to see us.

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Luke: Who will walk in next?

Lionel: Alrighty.
Who's up to bat?

It's that girl that came
in to New Orleans.

I remember.

Oh, that's right.
Yes, yes, yes. Okay.

Maja, what's your mommy's name?

Fire Wilmore.

Fire Wilmore. [ Laughs ]

♪ Wait until the sun goes down ♪

I never expected to be pregnant
and alone at the age of 18.

What do you do in Virginia?

I'm actually a dancer,
so... [ Chuckles ]

What kind of dancer?

A stripper.

She is fire. Hey!

Fire: I need to do
this for my daughter.

I don't want her to
live the life that I had

in any shape, way, or form.

I'm so sorry. It's
gonna be a no for me.

Mommy.

No, go put it back.
Go put it back.

[ Crying ] Oh,
God. Katy: Listen.

You deserve a second chance.

♪ This isn't goodbye ♪

Fire: I was feeling ashamed
and kind of embarrassed.

It's rare that one
gets a second shot.

Yeah, and it's so amazing that Katy
kind of, you know, stuck up for me.

So I went and sang songs

all day, every day, in
my house, everywhere,

because I don't
want to keep dancing.

I need to prove that I
deserve the second chance.

I'm working, I'm working,
I'm working for my daughter.

I want to make her proud.

And any doubt
that I have in my life,

I was just gonna take it
away and just go for it.

Woman: Alright. Three,
two, one. You're going in.

♪ It's the letting
go that lets you fly ♪

Lionel: Aha! Hi.

Luke: How are you?
Right now, we know.

Katy: I mean, I don't
even recognize you.

How are you feeling?

I'm good. I feel good. Yeah.

You look lighter and brighter.

That whole situation that
happened in New Orleans,

honestly, I wasn't focused.

It was a bit of a handful
having my daughter with me.

Honey, I know. Yeah,
we got that right away.

It's hard. Fire: Yeah.

Katy: What are you
gonna sing for us again?

I'm gonna sing "Love
In The Dark" by Adele.

Good. Good, good,
good. Ooh, nice.

Come on. You got this.

Fire: This audition, I'm definitely
singing a more emotional song.

The lyrics bring
back all the emotions

of what I felt in
that first audition.

♪ Take your eyes off
of me so I can leave ♪

♪ I'm far too ashamed to
do it with you watching me ♪

Come on, Fire.

♪ I can't love you in the ♪

Fight for it! ♪ Dark ♪

♪ It feels like we're
oceans apart ♪

♪ There is so much
space between us ♪

♪ Maybe we're already defeated ♪

♪ Ah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah ♪

♪ Everything changed me ♪

♪ And I-I-I-I-I don't
think you can save me ♪

Good, good.

Luke: Pretty. It was gorgeous.

Katy: Very pretty. Very good.

Hello. [ Chuckles ]

I give you big
props on your swing.

I was pulling for you so badly

that I'm trying to calm down.

You took a hard lick
on your first time around.

You do have a
great tone in there,

but I'm really not sure if
it's gonna take a next level.

I'm not sure. Mm-hmm.

Luke?

I agree with Lionel, but
we told you to go away

and you have come back in here

with a completely
different mindset. Yeah.

Are you the best
singer we've seen?

Not at all.

But there's just stuff about you

that I'd really like
to push you on.

You know, you've got a lot
left to discover with all that.

Yeah, absolutely. I believe
you've got to go through to learn.

You know, Luke's right.
Something about you has shifted.

I think you've lived a lot of
your life in protection mode.

Yeah. [ Chuckles ]

And so, being able
to open back up again,

that's the gift.

Take that note,

and maybe you'll actually
really surprise us and yourself.

Let's take a vote.

I am telling you,
you've got promise.

And if nothing else, to prove
to you that you have promise.

♪ Take the power back, baby ♪

It's a yes for me.

I'm excited to see what
kind of butterfly you turn into.

It's a yes for me.

[ Chuckles ] Thank you.

I'm excited to see you bloom
into your fullest potential.

It's a yes.

Thank you.

[ Voice breaking ]
Thank you so much.

Sorry. I'm ugly
crying right now.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

♪ I feel the power coming back ♪

[ Laughs ]

I got it. I got it.

I got the thing. [ Chuckles ]

Whoo!

Congratulations.
Thank you so much.

Happiness. Yeah.

Yeah? So happy. [ Laughs ]

Hi. Thank you. Good job.

People believing in me...

I don't even know
how to describe it.

We love you.

It's new for me.

That was so
beautiful, wasn't it?

The transformation
is very visible.

Maja, I'm going to Hollywood,
and we got the golden ticket.

Let's go. [ Laughs ]

♪ You're so beautiful, I
won't leave you again ♪

I'm so proud of
myself. [ Chuckles ]

Ryan: You guys ready?

Kaya: Yeah. Dave:
Yeah. It's time.

Okay. Thank you. Good luck.

Don't be nervous. Don't be
nervous. No, we're not nervous.

You got this.

Hi! Hi. Hello.

Oh, wait. What?

Say the backup musician is who?

Hi, everybody. How are you?

I'm good. I'm Kaya.

Nice to meet you
guys. This is my dad.

I'm Dave. Nice to meet you.

Dave Stewart, who is
accompanying me today.

Hi, Dad. How are
you? [ Chuckles ]

Oh, my God. Blast from the past.

[ Laughs ] Oh, I'm loving this.

Music has been a part of my
life since before I was even born.

My dad was in a group
called the Eurythmics.

♪ Darling, the sun is out ♪

When I was born, you
know, my dad was on tour,

and I was going to shows when
I was still in my mom's tummy.

Lionel: Plus, I'm gonna
tell you something.

We were inducted into

the Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame together. Yeah.

And it was an evening
that we will never forget.

Kaya: It was amazing.
Thank you very much.

And just to have you
with your daughter,

I think is so cool.

I do, too. [ Chuckles ]

The musician's lifestyle
has been something

that's just been
a part of my life.

There was never a question

of what I wanted
to do with my life.

It was just that was always
gonna be what I was gonna do.

Katy: With all the
different opportunities

and connections and stuff,

how did you even
land at "American Idol"

and if this is the right choice?

I mean, a huge part
of me even coming on

was getting to
sing my own music,

which is... I think that opened,
like, a whole new world for me,

looking at "American Idol."

I am singing a song today

that my dad and
I wrote together.

I wouldn't want to
do it any other way.

It's really a great
feeling that this is now

the creative destination
for artists. Totally.

"American Idol" is
such a huge deal for me.

I'm just really excited.

I'm nervous, but I'm
excited. [ Laughs ]

♪ I've got choices that I make ♪

♪ And I'm not thinking about
you when I make them ♪

♪ And if it's a mistake ♪

♪ Then at least I know
that I'm to blame ♪

♪ And so when I walk
in that corner store ♪

♪ My heart this time
won't hit the floor ♪

♪ 'Cause I don't care ♪

♪ I don't care if I let you go ♪

♪ And I've got a
feeling that it's over ♪

♪ And I couldn't be any better ♪

♪ And I'm gonna get
this tattoo removed ♪

♪♪

♪ I bought a book
on how to change ♪

♪ But I just can't get
through the pages ♪

♪ And it's really such a shame ♪

♪ But I guess this
time, I've got to say it ♪

♪ I'm not cold-hearted,
just the truth ♪

♪ I guess I'm not
in love with you ♪

♪ And I don't care ♪

♪ I don't care if I let you go ♪

♪ And I've got a
feeling that it's over ♪

♪ And I couldn't be any better ♪

♪ And I've got a
feeling that it's over ♪

♪ And I'm gonna get
this tattoo removed ♪

[ Laughs ]

Yeah!

Thank you. [ Chuckles ]

Katy: Thank you.

♪ Gonna get this tattoo ♪

Yeah! Thank you.

Dave, I have to tell you...

This is much more
difficult than being inducted

in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

You know what? It's true.
It's so true, man. It is. It is.

This is more nerve-wracking

than anything we've
ever done in life.

[ Laughter ] It is.

Oh, my God. That was great.

Thank you so much. Katy:
What do you think, Lionel?

I mean, it's hard 'cause
he's like your brother.

We're in the same family.
Be honest. He's not here.

Lionel: I'm gonna
tell you the truth,

because truth is what
we are about. Yeah.

Lionel: So, first of all,
for the songwriting part

and the pressure of being here,

I give you so much
props. Thank you.

And the fact that your dad
showed up, I give him props.

[ Laughs ] Lionel: I mean,
it's a whole lot of props here.

But in the midst of all
of this, you slayed it.

I mean, you...
Thank you so much.

I love the tone of your voice.

And you're an artist.
You're really an artist.

Thank you.

You know, this is
a tricky competition,

but I totally think
you're worthy

to go jump in
the mix of all this.

You know, you can tell that
you've grown up on the stage,

around the stage, and you put
in the stage presence side of it.

I mean, you were
comfortable and delivered it.

Yeah, I thought it was great

and looking forward
to potentially hearing

some more stuff
that you've written.

Ooh. Thank you.

Look, I love that
little flip in your voice.

Thank you.

"I'm gonna get this
tattoo removed,"

when you flip into it.

Can you do it one more
time? Just a cappella?

♪ I'm gonna get
this tattoo removed ♪

That's the sparkle
stuff right there.

[ Laughs ] The thing about us
is we get really technical with it.

I like that. And I'm sure, you
know, we're gonna probably be

a little bit more nitpicky
with you 'cause you're good.

And also you understand it.

Yeah. You understand it. You know
the business, and the business is real.

Let's vote. Okay.

I am a yes. Alright.

♪ You're so close now ♪

Yes.

Hallelujah. Yes.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, guys. Katy: Whoo!

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Aah! [ Laughs ] Thank
you so much. That's so cool.

And you've got a gold
ticket over there to pick up.

Right over there. Pick
it up. Thank you, guys.

No way.

Back in the business, Dad.

Back in the business.

If I could curse on TV, I would.

Katy: I know you want this,

so I'm going to
push you to your limit.

Please do. That's why I'm here.

And maybe past it.

That's what I want.
That's totally what I want.

We're gonna
approach it family style.

Thank you guys so
much. Let's nurture it.

See you. Lionel: We'll
see you back in L. A.

Love it.

Whoo! I can't believe...

I actually can't
believe I did it!

♪ Just a little of
your love, baby ♪

There it is. Confirmation.
[ Laughs ] I know!

You actually know
what you're doing.

No, it's so exciting.
I was so nervous.

But then the second
you get up there,

the nerves kind of go away.

I keep saying this, but I
feel like my younger self

would freak out right now.

I had no idea how
it was gonna go,

and it couldn't
have gone better.

Thank you for doing
this with me. I love you.

It was great to see
him. God. Both of them.

I hope the best for her.
That was a treat, guys.

I really loved that.

♪ A little love, a little love ♪

♪ Just a little of your love ♪

Man: Here we go.

Lionel: I think we're
coming down to the end.

Are there two more?

You know what, though?

As far as the
competition's concerned,

we know where the show is.

It's gonna start sounding cliché

if we say we're
better than last year.

So let's try to fight that.

Right? We're
better than last year.

We're better than last
year. We're a cliché.

If you notice, that bar keeps
being raised every year.

Thank God. God, I love it.

Oh! Hey. What's up?

Oliver: Hello. Hi.

How's it going? Man,
it's the best time ever.

Oh, that's fantastic. Best
time ever. Katy: Hold on.

Do you know that you're
the very last person

to audition for "American
Idol" Season 21?

You're the very last person.

Who are you? Oliver:
So I've been told.

[ Laughs ]

Katy and Luke: Who
are you? Can you tell us?

Together: Who are you?

My name is Oliver
Steele. I'm 25.

I'm a singer/songwriter
from Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Strong last name. Oliver
Steele is a great name.

Strong like steel. Steel!

Mount Juliet, home
of Charlie Daniels.

Yes. ♪ "Fire on the
Mountain," run, boys, run ♪

[ Imitates fiddle ]

He made me want
to play violin as a kid,

but my dad wouldn't let me
'cause he said the sound was...

He couldn't take
it. [ Laughter ]

The learning curve is a
little... Whoo! Smart dad.

Yeah, your dad wanted to rest properly.
Yeah, Dad might have done you a favor.

Oh, yeah. My dad
is... He's a smart man.

He's the reason I do what I do.

Is your dad here
today? He is. Yeah.

Good. And I'm just glad that
he can be here, you know?

It's been a struggle
to have him around.

You know, he's
been through a lot.

My dad was a
professional guitar player,

especially in blues...

and also an
incredible songwriter

and singer in his own right.

Any time he would
pick up a guitar,

it was just kind of... It
would make you stop

and just melt
away and just listen

to what he was
doing for a little while.

♪ I remember way back when ♪

It's been hard because he
can't really get around very well.

He had a stroke that basically

had severely affected...
the left side of his body.

♪ But if I woke in the morning
to find you were gone ♪

I just remember
feeling very powerless.

He's part of the reason why
I want to do this, is for him.

'Cause he gave me everything.

You know, it doesn't
exist without him.

♪ Am I strong enough? ♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪ There are places
I'll remember ♪

♪ All my life, though
some have changed ♪

♪ Some forever, not for better ♪

♪ Some have gone, some remain ♪

You have to know how
extremely elated I am

that you're here
and you're doing this,

carrying on this legacy of
music that's been in our family.

♪ ...are dead and
some are living ♪

♪ But in my life,
I loved them all ♪

You've come into your own.

I already can see the reaction
on other people's faces.

They're acknowledging
what I already know.

[ Humming ]

Oh.

♪ In my life, I love you more ♪

And one day, when you
have kids of your own,

you'll know exactly how I feel.

[ Applause ]

Luke: Strong like steel.

Man.

Thank you so much. There you go.

Good job. There you go.

That was an experience.

Yes, it was.

Katy?

Katy: You're good.

I think when you were playing,

you started
looking up a little bit

and like, "Do they like
me? Do they like me?"

I think you started
throwing it away a little bit.

I think you need to stay
milking it. Yeah. ♪ My ♪

You've got that milky voice.

Yeah. Thank you.

You got a growl,
then you've got a...

You know, some skills.

I mean, your dad should
be very proud of you.

You know what I mean?

No, he's...

He's the reason I'm here.

You know what I
would love for you to do?

Is he out there?

Yeah, he is. Could
you do me a favor?

Can you bring your dad in?

Yeah. 'Cause, I mean, listen,

we pray that our
kids will say that to us.

Katy: And continue the legacy.

[ Crying ]

Dad? Oh. Howdy.

Dad, I don't know what
you... What's up, Dad?

I don't know what you did, Dad.

Did I do that?

Dad. [ Crying ]

Now, now.

You know what's so beautiful?

♪♪

If I had it my way,
he'd be playing for me.

I know. I know. He did it.

What's one of your
dad's favorite songs?

Well, he used to do "Change..."

"Change the World".
"Change the World" all the time.

Oh, let's hear that. Oh. Please.

Come on. We need that.

Toby: I remember
talking to him one night.

We were having a conversation,
and I was just really sad.

And he said, "You know,
Dad, you don't have to worry

about singing 'cause
I'll just do it all for you."

I thought, "Okay, that'll work."

♪ If I could reach the stars ♪

Luke: Wow.

♪ Pull one down for you ♪

♪ Shine it on my heart ♪

♪ So you could see it, too ♪

♪ That this love
I have insiiiide ♪

Whoo-whoo!

♪ Is everything it seems ♪

[ Laughs ] Unh!

♪ But for now, I find ♪

♪ It's only in my dreams ♪

♪ If I could change the world ♪

Whoo!

♪ I would be the
sunlight in her universe ♪

You got to be in the
audience every time.

♪ You would think my love
was really something good ♪

Oh. ♪ Darling, if I could ♪

♪ Chaaaange ♪

♪ The world ♪

You guys, sing it
with him. Come on.

♪ If I could
chaaange the world ♪

♪ I would be the
sunlight in her universe ♪

♪ You would think my love
was really something good ♪

♪ Darling, if I could ♪

♪ Chaaaaange ♪

♪ The woooooooorld ♪

Come on. ♪ I would be
the sunlight in her universe ♪

♪ You would think my love
was really something good ♪

♪ Darling, if I could ♪

♪ Change ♪

♪ If I could ♪

♪ Change ♪

♪ Honey, if I could ♪

♪ Chaaange ♪

♪ The wooooorld ♪

Whoo!

Lionel: Daddy. Daddy. Oh, no.

Daddy. Daddy.

♪ This world can take you ♪

Whatever you did, you don't
have to do it ever again. [ Laughter ]

You pass it all to
that boy, right there.

Oliver: I'm sorry.
Y'all are in front of me.

Y'all are like heroes. No,
but you know what? Great job.

We are so happy to
have you. Great job.

We love you, man.

Thank you. Great job.

♪ When no one else will say it ♪

Alright, so he hasn't
been properly anointed.

It's a yes for me for
your son to go through.

It's a yes for me.

It's a yes for me.

♪ Let it help you lay
down what you held on to ♪

One, two, three.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Toby: Yeah, buddy.

And guess what you're gonna do?

You're gonna take
your dad with you.

Oh, my God.

'Cause this is the good
luck charm right here.

It's a pretty awesome
moment. Have to admit.

Yeah.

Better than anything I ever did.

[ Laughs ] Seriously.

Katy: Let's get
this golden ticket.

Lionel: Alright,
Dad. You did it!

Gonna have to frame that one.

Luke: God bless y'all.

Oliver: I will
never forget today.

This is because of you.

Hey, Oliver. You
could win this thing.

Lionel: That's
what I said to him.

Be very careful.

If you keep singing
like you're singing

to your father every time...

Tell me about it. you
could win this thing.

Thank you so much. Thanks, guys.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Dad. Luke: Yes!

What kind of show do
we have? What a finish!

By the way, he
sang twice as good

when he sang to his father.

He just wants to make him proud.

It's just dads and sons.

♪ Count on me, if I
can count on you ♪

Hollywood.

I think it's your destiny
to do great things

and to go way beyond
anything I ever did.

In that, I'm quite certain.

♪ Count on me if I
can count on you ♪

♪ Help you lay down
what you held on to ♪

♪ What you held on to ♪

It's Hollywood Week like
you've never seen before.

Lionel: We gave the contestants
three areas to work on.

Clay: You're not here because
you're not good enough.

Catie: Commit to a song
and then sell the heck out of it.

Justin: Own the stage,
stomp around it if you have to.

First of all, you're not
gonna do it like that

because you are
giving me nothing.

Stress level is 10 out of 10.

I'm just trying to do my best.

I don't want to go home.

This means everything.

This journey is about you.

Woman: This can take
me from small-town girl

who writes some songs to,
like, a name that people know.

I really want to make
it through. [ Sobbing ]

The numbers of
contestants in this room,

they're gonna go down
and down and down.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Full-on amazing.

[ Vocalizing ]

We should have been
paying money to see that.

[ Vocalizing ]

I have chills
everywhere. [ Laughs ]

Katy: I'm sorry.
This show is over.

I think we have room for
one more platinum ticket.

Man: Who does
not have a partner?

Katy: How do you feel about
her not singing with you?

It's been really stressful.

I am worried about
the song a little bit.

There's a lot on
the line with this.

I believe in you.

Lionel: She's gonna
leave? What's happening?

Does that mean
that you have decided

to leave the competition?

Man: Here we go.

Lionel: I think we're
coming down to the end.

Are there two more?

You know what, though?

As far as the
competition's concerned,

we know where the show is.

It's gonna start sounding cliché

if we say we're
better than last year.

So let's try to fight that.

Right? We're
better than last year.

We're better than last
year. We're a cliché.

If you notice, that bar keeps
being raised every year.

Thank God. God, I love it.

Oh! Hey. What's up?

Oliver: Hello. Hi.

How's it going? Man,
it's the best time ever.

Oh, that's fantastic. Best
time ever. Katy: Hold on.

Do you know that you're
the very last person

to audition for "American
Idol" Season 21?

You're the very last person.

Who are you? Oliver:
So I've been told.

[ Laughs ]

Katy and Luke: Who
are you? Can you tell us?

Together: Who are you?

My name is Oliver
Steele. I'm 25.

I'm a singer/songwriter
from Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Strong last name. Oliver
Steele is a great name.

Strong like steel. Steel!

Mount Juliet, home
of Charlie Daniels.

Yes. ♪ "Fire on the
Mountain," run, boys, run ♪

[ Imitates fiddle ]

He made me want
to play violin as a kid,

but my dad wouldn't let me
'cause he said the sound was...

He couldn't take
it. [ Laughter ]

The learning curve is a
little... Whoo! Smart dad.

Yeah, your dad wanted to rest properly.
Yeah, Dad might have done you a favor.

Oh, yeah. My dad
is... He's a smart man.

He's the reason I do what I do.

Is your dad here
today? He is. Yeah.

Good. And I'm just glad that
he can be here, you know?

It's been a struggle
to have him around.

You know, he's
been through a lot.

My dad was a
professional guitar player,

especially in blues...

and also an
incredible songwriter

and singer in his own right.

Any time he would
pick up a guitar,

it was just kind of... It
would make you stop

and just melt
away and just listen

to what he was
doing for a little while.

♪ I remember way back when ♪

It's been hard because he
can't really get around very well.

He had a stroke that basically

had severely affected...
the left side of his body.

♪ But if I woke in the morning
to find you were gone ♪

I just remember
feeling very powerless.

He's part of the reason why
I want to do this, is for him.

'Cause he gave me everything.

You know, it doesn't
exist without him.

♪ Am I strong enough? ♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪ There are places
I'll remember ♪

♪ All my life, though
some have changed ♪

♪ Some forever, not for better ♪

♪ Some have gone, some remain ♪

You have to know how
extremely elated I am

that you're here
and you're doing this,

carrying on this legacy of
music that's been in our family.

♪ ...are dead and
some are living ♪

♪ But in my life,
I loved them all ♪

You've come into your own.

I already can see the reaction
on other people's faces.

They're acknowledging
what I already know.

[ Humming ]

Oh.

♪ In my life, I love you more ♪

And one day, when you
have kids of your own,

you'll know exactly how I feel.

[ Applause ]

Luke: Strong like steel.

Man.

Thank you so much. There you go.

Good job. There you go.

That was an experience.

Yes, it was.

Katy?

Katy: You're good.

I think when you were playing,

you started
looking up a little bit

and like, "Do they like
me? Do they like me?"

I think you started
throwing it away a little bit.

I think you need to stay
milking it. Yeah. ♪ My ♪

You've got that milky voice.

Yeah. Thank you.

You got a growl,
then you've got a...

You know, some skills.

I mean, your dad should
be very proud of you.

You know what I mean?

No, he's...

He's the reason I'm here.

You know what I
would love for you to do?

Is he out there?

Yeah, he is. Could
you do me a favor?

Can you bring your dad in?

Yeah. 'Cause, I mean, listen,

we pray that our
kids will say that to us.

Katy: And continue the legacy.

[ Crying ]

Dad? Oh. Howdy.

Dad, I don't know what
you... What's up, Dad?

I don't know what you did, Dad.

Did I do that?

Dad. [ Crying ]

Now, now.

You know what's so beautiful?

♪♪

If I had it my way,
he'd be playing for me.

I know. I know. He did it.

What's one of your
dad's favorite songs?

Well, he used to do "Change..."

"Change the World".
"Change the World" all the time.

Oh, let's hear that. Oh. Please.

Come on. We need that.

Toby: I remember
talking to him one night.

We were having a conversation,
and I was just really sad.

And he said, "You know,
Dad, you don't have to worry

about singing 'cause
I'll just do it all for you."

I thought, "Okay, that'll work."

♪ If I could reach the stars ♪

Luke: Wow.

♪ Pull one down for you ♪

♪ Shine it on my heart ♪

♪ So you could see it, too ♪

♪ That this love
I have insiiiide ♪

Whoo-whoo!

♪ Is everything it seems ♪

[ Laughs ] Unh!

♪ But for now, I find ♪

♪ It's only in my dreams ♪

♪ If I could change the world ♪

Whoo!

♪ I would be the
sunlight in her universe ♪

You got to be in the
audience every time.

♪ You would think my love
was really something good ♪

Oh. ♪ Darling, if I could ♪

♪ Chaaaange ♪

♪ The world ♪

You guys, sing it
with him. Come on.

♪ If I could
chaaange the world ♪

♪ I would be the
sunlight in her universe ♪

♪ You would think my love
was really something good ♪

♪ Darling, if I could ♪

♪ Chaaaaange ♪

♪ The woooooooorld ♪

Come on. ♪ I would be
the sunlight in her universe ♪

♪ You would think my love
was really something good ♪

♪ Darling, if I could ♪

♪ Change ♪

♪ If I could ♪

♪ Change ♪

♪ Honey, if I could ♪

♪ Chaaange ♪

♪ The wooooorld ♪

Whoo!

Lionel: Daddy. Daddy. Oh, no.

Daddy. Daddy.

♪ This world can take you ♪

Whatever you did, you don't
have to do it ever again. [ Laughter ]

You pass it all to
that boy, right there.

Oliver: I'm sorry.
Y'all are in front of me.

Y'all are like heroes. No,
but you know what? Great job.

We are so happy to
have you. Great job.

We love you, man.

Thank you. Great job.

♪ When no one else will say it ♪

Alright, so he hasn't
been properly anointed.

It's a yes for me for
your son to go through.

It's a yes for me.

It's a yes for me.

♪ Let it help you lay
down what you held on to ♪

One, two, three.

Together: You're
going to Hollywood!

Toby: Yeah, buddy.

And guess what you're gonna do?

You're gonna take
your dad with you.

Oh, my God.

'Cause this is the good
luck charm right here.

It's a pretty awesome
moment. Have to admit.

Yeah.

Better than anything I ever did.

[ Laughs ] Seriously.

Katy: Let's get
this golden ticket.

Lionel: Alright,
Dad. You did it!

Gonna have to frame that one.

Luke: God bless y'all.

Oliver: I will
never forget today.

This is because of you.

Hey, Oliver. You
could win this thing.

Lionel: That's
what I said to him.

Be very careful.

If you keep singing
like you're singing

to your father every time...

Tell me about it. you
could win this thing.

Thank you so much. Thanks, guys.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Dad. Luke: Yes!

What kind of show do
we have? What a finish!

By the way, he
sang twice as good

when he sang to his father.

He just wants to make him proud.

It's just dads and sons.

♪ Count on me, if I
can count on you ♪

Hollywood.

I think it's your destiny
to do great things

and to go way beyond
anything I ever did.

In that, I'm quite certain.

♪ Count on me if I
can count on you ♪

♪ Help you lay down
what you held on to ♪

♪ What you held on to ♪

It's Hollywood Week like
you've never seen before.

Lionel: We gave the contestants
three areas to work on.

Clay: You're not here because
you're not good enough.

Catie: Commit to a song
and then sell the heck out of it.

Justin: Own the stage,
stomp around it if you have to.

First of all, you're not
gonna do it like that

because you are
giving me nothing.

Stress level is 10 out of 10.

I'm just trying to do my best.

I don't want to go home.

This means everything.

This journey is about you.

Woman: This can take
me from small-town girl

who writes some songs to,
like, a name that people know.

I really want to make
it through. [ Sobbing ]

The numbers of
contestants in this room,

they're gonna go down
and down and down.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Full-on amazing.

[ Vocalizing ]

We should have been
paying money to see that.

[ Vocalizing ]

I have chills
everywhere. [ Laughs ]

Katy: I'm sorry.
This show is over.

I think we have room for
one more platinum ticket.

Man: Who does
not have a partner?

Katy: How do you feel about
her not singing with you?

It's been really stressful.

I am worried about the song
a little bit.

There's a lot
on the line with this.

I believe in you.

Lionel: She's gonna leave?
What's happening?

Does that mean
that you have decided

to leave the competition?