Just over 9,000 hopefuls arrived in the Mile High City to appear before guest judge Victoria Beckham, Kara, Randy and Simon as a guest judge.
The first contestant, Jack Black wannabe Mark Labriola, despite his former-fugitive status, impressed and surprised the judges, earning the very first golden ticket. Based on his interaction with Mr. Labriola, Simon was in rare form, which carried over to the nervous laugh guy, Mario, who did not score a ticket with his rendition of “Jailhouse Rock.” Poor nervous laugh guy walked out of the audition and announced he didn’t make it, followed by … a nervous laugh.
Kimberly Kerbow’s five-year-old daughter came on camera before mom’s audition to announce that her mom was the next American Idol. Kimberly flirted with Simon through song, but I don’t think that’s why he gave her the yes. She actually had a very nice voice.
Danelle Hakes owns a karaoke business, and she hopes coming to audition for American Idol will help her get to the next level. Before she sang, she broke down and cried about the difficult struggle she’d had pursuing a music career. Simon liked her, and noted that he didn’t think her life had allowed her to be who she was meant to be. Four yesses, and Danelle was on her way to Hollywood.
After enduring a motorcycle accident, Casey James was told by doctors he would never play guitar again. While Simon and Randy were completely unimpressed with Casey, but Posh and Kara thought he had a great look and a lot of potential. They wrangled Randy in on their side, and Casey got his golden ticket.
Sixteen-year-old high school student Tori Kelly brought little Hope in to give the judges personal artwork she made for them. Even without the artistic bribe though, her voice was impressive. Simon thought her voice was annoying, but Randy, Victoria and Kara sent her through to Hollywood.
Day one brought a host of fantastic auditions, with fifteen contestants chosen to go on to Hollywood. Day two started out with football player, Austin, but Kara and Victoria thought he was a little cocky. Simon said his voice was annoying. Unanimous no on the first audition of day two.
The confidence meter weighed in on the arrogant end, and Austin was just the beginning. Kenny Everett noted in his pre-audition interview that he was the male Mary J. Blige, but much like Austin, his voice was more than just a little on the annoying side. When the judges told him he was a big fat no, he told them they were wrong and went on to sing another song. He was really disturbed that they didn’t love his singing.
After that, it was just crazy, and a lot of people left auditions brokenhearted and crying because the judges didn’t love their singing.
Nicci Nix’s speaking voice was a good disguise, as Simon pointed out that she sounded like she’d swallowed a tankful of helium before her audition. Despite sounding like she’d been sucking back balloons all day, she had a very powerful voice. All four judges were a yes, and Nicci was off to Hollywood.
Haeley Vaughn was a fighter from the start, being born premature. Singing was something she always shared with her father, who passed away when she was ten, so she wanted do it in honor of him. Singing pop-country, Simon thought she was cute, but her lisp was distracting. He did note that her singing pop-country made her unique. Her perky personality and individuality made her a unanimous yes.
With 26 total contestants chosen in Denver, they closed out the show with bikini boy singing “Achey Breaky Heart,” which had to be a total setup.
Tomorrow night the judges finish off auditions, before kicking things off in Hollywood next week.
