Original subtitles

♪ Nah, nah, don't trip ♪

♪ Everyone's alive, but not everyone lives ♪

♪ Nah, nah, don't trip ♪

♪ Put one in the sky, we gonna get you through this ♪

Carrie: "American Idol" is the gold standard in finding talent.

How's it going, man?

Last season, we got to hear Jamal sing.

And, then, a few months later, he's nominated for a Grammy.

♪ And let me bask in your light ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ You know I'll be there ♪

Luke: That's what we sit in the chair for --

to hopefully find those next superstars.

Jamal Roberts! [ Cheers and applause ]

It just takes one yes. Your life has changed forever.

♪ Don't let them bring you, don't let them bring... ♪

Lionel: Welcome to the show. Take it all in.

Jordan: Oh, my goodness.

Wow. I love "American Idol."

I've watched it since I was a kid.

Even this last season,

I actually got to meet Jamal Roberts,

and he was amazing.

♪ It's gonna get better for you now ♪

Phenomenal singer. Got to see him in concert.

An incredible vocalist, great stage presence.

I love him so much.

You look like you're pretty excited.

I am. I'm very excited.

My name is Jordan McCullough.

I am 27, and I'm from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Where'd you grow up performing at?

In church. That's where I got my start.

I didn't know that any of this was a possibility

outside of the choir stand.

So just 4 years old. Right.

I was singing in the choir.

And yeah, that's where it started. Very cool.

Alright. Well, what are you gonna sing today?

Well, we're gonna bring the choir stand here,

and I'm gonna sing "Goodness of God."

Yay! So good.

Alright.

[ Exhales sharply ]

[ Intro to "Goodness of God" plays ]

♪♪

♪ I love you, Lord ♪

♪ Oh, Your mercy never fails me ♪

♪ And all my days ♪

♪ I've been held in Your hand ♪

♪ From the moment that I wake up ♪

♪ Until I lay my head ♪

♪ Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God ♪

♪♪

♪ All my life, You have been faithful ♪

♪ Oh, yes, You have ♪

♪ All my life, You have been so, so good ♪

♪ With every breath that I have made ♪

♪ Ohh, oh, I will sing, yeah, of the goodness of God ♪

Yes. Thank you, Lord.

♪ Your goodness running after ♪

♪ Running after me ♪

♪ Your goodness is running after ♪

♪ Running after me ♪

♪ With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now ♪

♪ I give you everything ♪

♪ Your goodness is running after ♪

♪ Running after me ♪

Whoo! Whoo!

Man, come on. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you so much.

That will wake you up.

Come on! Luke: Yeah.

Come on!

What you think, Carrie?

You were flying up out of that chair, levitating.

I was. How can you not?

You have been given an incredible gift.

Wow. Carrie: And I love that you use it.

I mean, the first two words out of your mouth,

it was like, "Ooh! Oh, yeah. Okay."

I just had chills pretty much the whole time.

Jordan: Thank you, thank you. So it was really great.

Your voice is big enough to fill up any room.

Very classic-sounding voice.

Wow.

University has been waiting on you.

Oh, my gosh. I'm telling you.

It is one of those moments when we discover your talent.

Thank you. It's mesmerizing to watch you perform,

because it's not just standing there, singing.

You actually have stage presence,

which is something we can't teach.

Wow. Just felt like worship.

It just -- Oh! No. Like, it didn't feel forced.

It just felt like you were in the moment

and we were in the moment with you.

It's a big, giant yes for me.

No doubt about it. Yes.

I'm looking forward to all the goosies...

[ Laughs ] ...throughout the rest of it.

Yeah, right. So it's a big yes for me.

Let's go! It's a yes for me.

Congratulations. Wow. Thank you guys so much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. So good.

Luke: You're going through the... Wow.

Hollywood Week! Hollywood Week!

Ready to go. Thank you guys so much.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you. ♪ Keep going ♪

Let's go. I hope y'all ready to worship with me next time.

I'm ready. I'm always ready. [ Laughs ]

What is happening?

This is happening right now? This is crazy.

♪ Don't let them bring you, don't let them bring... ♪

[ All cheering ]

So great to start off.

Right. Big, old voice there.

Welcome to the class, man. Whoa!

It feels really, really well

to be standing here just like Jamal Roberts did.

And I feel like I've kind of passed the torch here,

and I'm ready to carry it even further.

I'm going to Hollywood Week!

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

Carrie: Way a way to start the day.

That was great.

[ Audio feedback ]

[ Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" plays ]

♪♪

What is that?

[ Music plays in distance ]

Is this part of the...

What the heck? Is this like an entrance?

♪ If you like to gamble, I tell you, I'm your man ♪

I feel like the best class we could shape

is gonna be very eclectic.

It's more spicy.

And I, being a lover of rock music,

I just want to find that representative.

[ Music plays faintly ]

[ Music plays loudly ]

♪ Whoo! ♪

My name is Noah!

These are my friends at Vella la Vella!

And this is the rock-and-roll Wall of Sound!

Whoo! [ Horn blaring ]

Ryan -- how you doing, Ryan?

My organs are vibrating.

Lionel: What -- What is happening?

Noah: Judges, in front of you is the greatest rock-and-roll audition

you have seen in "American Idol" history.

I know you like rock-and-roll, Ms. Carrie.

Yeah! She loves rock-and-roll.

Alright! "Ace of Spades" coming in hot, baby! Whoo!

Let's go!

Yeah!

Rock-and-roll, baby!

This is the Wall of Sound!

[ All cheering ]

♪ You know I'm born to lose ♪

♪ And gambling's for fools ♪

Both: ♪ But that's the way I like it, baby ♪

♪ I don't want to live forever ♪

♪♪

Here we go!

♪ The only thing you see ♪

♪ You know, it's gonna be the ace of spades ♪

♪ Ace of spades ♪

♪ Yea-a-a-a-a-a-h! ♪

[ Cheers and applause ] Carrie: I love the idea, too,

of having some of those more entertaining people in the mix.

You kind of have to give some people a shot.

I'm Isaiah Morrow.

What kind of music do you play?

I'd say rock. Yes!

♪ Don't fall away ♪

♪ And leave me to myself ♪

♪ Don't fall away ♪ Whoo!

♪ And leave love bleeding in my hands ♪

♪ In my hands again ♪

♪ Leave love bleeding in my hands ♪

♪ In my hands again ♪

♪ Ohh! ♪

♪ Ohh! ♪ Wow. Man, man.

How happy are you? I'm so happy!

[ Laughter ] I think you're great.

I think even if we can get you

channeling more, like, "I am a rocker..." Yeah.

...she'll be even more ecstatic. [ Laughs ]

Yeah.

My name is Brett Carlisle,

and I sing for the band Great White.

We expect to rock, and we would like to rock, sir.

♪ You didn't even listen ♪

♪ Well, you should have set me free ♪

♪ Now I'm leaving with the devil ♪

♪ Gonna leave this search for love ♪

♪ I'm leaving with the devil ♪

♪ Leave this ho-o-o-o-o-use ♪

♪ Of broken love ♪

If you happen to go through, bring it.

especially when you rock.

I mean, you're gonna be the poster child for this.

♪ That's the way I like it, baby ♪

♪ I don't want to live forever ♪

[ All cheering ]

Luke: Yes!

Yes! No way! No way!

Yes!

Whoo! [ Screams ]

[ All cheering ]

I'm ready to bring some rock-and-roll

to "American Idol." Yeah! [ All cheering ]

[ All cheering ]

Rock-and-roll, baby!

What is the line? You're either gonna rock...

Or you're gonna roll.

Fire up the bus! Let's go! Whoo!

Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God,

oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God.

Oh, my goodness, oh, my goodness.

[ Laughter ] Oh, my goodness!

That was, like, the most "Oh, my God's," we've heard.

We could hear you around the corner.

I can't help it I can't help it. Lionel: [ Laughs ]

Hi! It's all good. How are you?

I'm so amazing. I'm Madison Moon.

I'm from Orlando, Florida.

I'm 21. I'm so excited to be here.

Clearly.

What do you do in Orlando?

I'm a full-time musician.

It's my only job I've ever had.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

What kind of music do you play?

I do a lot of everything,

but I really want to go for pop rock.

I've been in a lot of bands,

and I did harsh vocals and stuff like that.

So I would be singing today, not doing that. [ Laughs ]

What are you gonna sing for us?

I'm gonna be doing "Creep."

Cool. Alright.

[ Intro to "Creep" plays ]

♪ When you were here before ♪

♪ Couldn't look you in the eye ♪

♪ You're just like an angel ♪

♪ Your skin makes me cry ♪

♪ But I'm a cre-e-e-e-ep ♪

♪ I'm a weirdo ♪

♪ What the hell am I doing here? ♪

♪ I don't belong here ♪

♪ Oh, ohh ♪

♪ She's ♪

♪ Running out the do-o-o-o-or ♪

♪ Running out the do-o-o-o-or ♪

♪ She's running out ♪

♪ She runs, runs, runs ♪

♪ Ru-u-u-u-u-u-ns ♪

♪ Oh, she ru-u-u-ns ♪

♪ She ru-u-u-ns ♪

♪ But I'm a creep ♪

Carrie: I want more.

Do you have a second song?

You said you did, like, harsh vocals.

I'm just curious. Um...

What does "harsh vocals" mean? Like --

Like screaming. Screaming. Yeah, that's what --

Like metal vocals.

Let's do it.

Okay. What is it?

"The Kill," Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Okay.

♪ Ahh ♪

Okay, cool. Ready? [ Laughs ]

Yeah.

[ Intro to "The Kill" plays ]

♪♪

♪ I tried to be somewhere else ♪

♪ But nothing seemed to change ♪

♪ I know now this is who I really am inside ♪

♪ I finally found myself ♪

♪ Fighting for a chance ♪

♪ I know now ♪

♪ [ Screaming ] This is who I really am! ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

Whoo! Ah!

Whoo! Ah! [ Laughs ]

Wow, wow. I'm a...

Wow.

Wow. Madison: Thank you.

Carrie: Thank you! Love it!

Luke?

Don't do any more harsh vocals.

[ Laughs ] Yes! It's great.

She can do that without hurting yourself?

Yes! Madison: I'll bring a little edge.

Carrie: Absolutely. [ Laughs ]

You know, the bottom line is

you're one of the best voices we've heard so far.

Yeah, yeah. Yes.

You just kept getting higher and then higher.

I'm thinking, "Where does this voice end?"

Just...

[ Heart's "Barracuda" plays ]

Oh, my goodness. [ Laughs ] ...puts the bumps.

Carrie: Let's vote.

I'll go first. I want to just --

Yes.

Yes.

You're one of my absolute favorites.

Top 30. I'm calling it. I'm gonna cry!

Let's do this. Yes, yes, yes.

Ah! I'm in. Thank you so much!

Oh, my goodness!

You need this? [ Laughs ]

You got to have the a ticket.

Oh, thank you so much, guys. Thank you.

Oh, I got to go run to my mama. [ Laughs ]

Oh my God, oh, my God -- Hey.

Oh, my God, oh, my God. Oh, my God, oh, my God.

Thank you guys so much. Thank you. Have fun.

[ All cheering ]

♪♪

I'm going to Hollywood Week!

Carrie called me top-30, and I almost fell to the ground.

I almost fell to the ground. It's insane.

Oh! I'm glad she believes in me.

I am so ready for this.

Ah. You know I've been looking for my rockers.

I love hearing screaming. [ Laughs ]

So there's a technique?

You can do that and it's not -- Can you do it that way?

Yes.

But I've never done such things outside of my car.

[ Laughter ]

[ All cheering ]

Lionel: We come around the corner.

LaGrange, Georgia.

Where all these folks around here, man?

LaGrange.

♪ Da da da da da da da, da da da da ♪

[ ZZ Top's "La Grange" plays ]

Man: I'm ready.

Haw haw haw haw!

ZZ Top? Really?

Isn't that "La Grange"?

[ Laughing ] That's "La Grange."

Haw haw haw haw! Haw haw haw haw!

Alright. Take a left.

[ Chuckles ]

How are you? Good. How are y'all?

Luke: Good. Well, you came in so comfortable.

Very chill, man.

So, tell us who you are, where you're from, your age?

My name's Philmon Lee.

I'm from LaGrange, Georgia, and I am 25 years old.

That's right down the street from Tuskegee.

Shout-out. There you go.

What do you do for a living?

So, right now I'm in insurance sales.

I do life insurance.

It's all virtual.

Talk with people all day long.

[ Telephone rings ]

Corlyn: Hello? Philmon: Corlyn, this is Philmon.

How you doing? I'm an insurance broker.

I see where you inquired about

some life-insurance coverage pretty recently.

♪ There's a destination ♪

♪ I've got a ways to go ♪

I do insurance now,

but that's not the end goal.

I want to sing every single night if I can.

♪ There's a revelation, that I might never know ♪

I've been a musician my whole life.

All credit, really, to my dad.

He toured around with a gospel quartet group,

and I was on a tour bus with him

ever since I was like 4 years old.

It definitely gave me a hunger.

You know, even being a kid,

that's what I want to do for the rest of my life.

♪ I been trying all this time ♪

I got into music after I dropped out of college,

and I eventually ended up signing with a major label.

♪ But still can't climb the mountains of my mind ♪

I was able to record a lot,

and it looked like it was gonna be pretty promising.

And then COVID hit.

It just kind of plateaued, and I got shelved.

You know, I obviously wasn't making any money.

That's when I picked up insurance.

♪ Don't worry, I'll be fine ♪

♪ But I still can't climb the mountains of my mind ♪

My family -- you know, they were there every step of the way,

the nights that I would cry

'cause I'm not singing, I'm not doing music

and I thought I would never have another chance at it.

They were definitely there

for every single one of those moments.

I got faith in you, brother.

You got it in you, baby.

We've been in your corner all your life.

We love you so much, little buddy.

"American Idol's" another chance at doing what I love

and getting my foot back in the door.

I have a voice, and I want it to be heard.

[ Intro to "When a Man Loves a Woman" plays ]

[ Vocalizing ]

♪♪

Come on, now.

♪♪

♪ When a man loves a woman ♪

♪ Can't keep his mind on nothing else ♪

♪ He'd trade the world for the good things he's found ♪

♪ If she is bad, he can't see it ♪

♪ She can do no harm ♪

♪ Turn his back on his best friend if he puts her down ♪

♪♪

♪ When a man loves a woman ♪

♪♪

♪ I give you everything I got ♪

♪ Hey, yeah ♪

♪ Trying to hold on to your precious love ♪

♪ And baby, baby please don't treat me bad ♪

♪ When a man loves a woman ♪

Come on, now.

♪ Deep down in his soul ♪

♪ She can bring him such misery ♪

[ Applause ]

Wow.

You know, there's a difference

between bent down and broke down.

You are in both conditions.

[ Laughter ] I'm talking about.

I mean, you were down.

You were down, and I said, "How low is he gonna go?"

Oh, man. No, you would know.

That was great interpretation, man.

Thank you. Carrie, what do you think about this wonderful gentleman?

Surprising. [ Laughs ]

Like, you just walk in, and you're just so chill and calm,

and then you open your mouth to sing,

hands in your pockets. Sorry.

[ Laughter ] No, you're good.

I was like, "Is he gonna -- I might have to go

take his hands out of his pocket."

I was pleasantly surprised.

Thank you.

You can't learn what you just did.

Regardless of whatever else

you think you were trying to do, do more of that.

Carrie reminded me of my mom.

"Take your hands out your pocket

and look the folks straight in the face." [ Laughs ]

That's all you need to do. In other words,

now you have to become the character.

Yes, sir.

And if you're really, really lucky and blessed,

you won't have to worry about insurance, except on your voice.

And that's gonna be covering you. Sounds good.

Sounds good to me. Luke?

Making another Georgia boy proud.

Come on. [ Laughs ]

We've had 10 people today

that look like they've been trained to sing.

And you look like you were born to sing.

Ah!

♪ ...gets old... ♪

The fun part about this business

is we can't judge any book by any cover.

We just have to let you sing.

And, then, man, when we get somebody like you,

it's pretty dang exciting.

Yeah. Oh. You gonna make me cry, man.

Yeah. Now I think it's your turn to shine.

I think we should just take a vote.

Alright. Carrie, what do you think?

Yes. Boom.

Luke, what do you think?

Yes. Boom.

We're not selling insurance,

but we're definitely selling tickets.

[ Laughs ] Welcome to Hollywood Week...

Good job.

♪ ...coming down... ♪

I'm gonna start crying. [ Laughs ]

Georgia boy. Yes, sir.

[ Chuckles ]

♪ ...never get to see ♪

Here he comes.

[ All cheering ]

Ah! They're not too... Whoa!

[ All cheering ]

♪ ...around to simple things ♪

♪♪

I have a lot of family and friends here with me today

that have seen nothing but ups and downs.

Definitely felt like music slowed down for me a lot,

and I didn't see another way back into it.

-Oh! -I love you so much.

But I believe my life

definitely changed with this audition.

I'm going to Hollywood Week!

[ All cheering ]

Shout-out to the insurance company I work for.

Thank you all for the job.

And I will be taking some time off.

♪ Simple things ♪

You know what my mother used to stop and get me for breakfast?

A 20-ounce Mountain Dew. Wow.

And a sleeve of powdered doughnuts.

Wow.

Okay, we're about to start. Just hold everything.

Luke needs to have his breakfast burrito.

The burrito!

No. It's just arriving.

It will be 10 more minutes, everyone. 10 more.

Oh, my God. What?

He's gonna have a rushed burrito?

Carrie: Fast burrito.

There's burrito, and then there's fast burrito.

I may have one more bite and I'll be ready.

[ Classical music plays ]

Is there a napkin?

[ Sighs loudly ]

♪♪

[ Trilling tongue ]

Two seconds.

Here we go, guys.

Alright. And here we go.

We made it! Look at it!

"Idol"! [ All cheering ]

My name is Livy. I'm 22 years old,

from a small town called Shinnston, West Virginia.

And I am a server at Texas Roadhouse.

Uh-oh. Here we go. Oh, Lord.

Yes! Livy: [ Laughs ]

Carrie: What's going on? Howdy, y'all.

How are we doing today? My name's Livy.

Welcome to Texas Roadhouse. I'll be serving you.

Can I get y'all started with something to drink?

We got some Coke products, sweet tea.

And, Luke, we got that...

♪ One margarita, two margarita ♪

♪ Three margarita ♪ Plenty of shots.

You bring a shot? Oh, you got some peanuts.

I do. I'll give them to you.

Yes. Today for the judges, I'm bringing the energy,

I'm bringing the rolls,

and I'm bringing my personality for them.

That's not a server's out--

Is that your outfit? Do you wear that?

Oh, this is my outfit, you know?

I got to look sexy for you guys. Got to look snazzy.

So -- You're making a mess, by the way.

I've got it contained.

[ Laughs ] So good.

The main place I sing

would have to be my job.

We do a thing called

"Give us a Texas-sized 'yeehaw'"

for the birthdays.

So I started singing "Happy Birthday,"

and people were posting me on TikTok.

Things were blowing up.

♪ ...o-o-o-o-o-o-u ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Luke, I think my mom's about to have a heart attack

if she sees you. Uh-oh.

She thinks you're the sexiest man alive.

Oh! Go, Mama! I mean...

Oh, Luke, come on.

Please.

On the way over, she said, "Is Luke married?"

I said, "Yes, mom. He's married."

She said, "He ain't gonna be married

by the time I get in there." Oh!

Oh, boy. Livy: So you better get prepared.

That little, Italian woman's about to come get you.

[ Laughs ] Yeah. Security? Security?

[ Both laugh ] Well, good deal.

Well, what are you gonna sing today?

I'm singing "Love Wins" by Carrie Underwood.

Oh! Alright.

Let's hear it. Absolutely.

[ Intro to "Love Wins" plays ]

Can't stop smacking.

♪ Ohhh ♪

♪ Stray bullet and a mama cries ♪

♪ Her baby won't be coming home tonight ♪

♪ Sirens screaming down the avenue ♪

♪ Just another story on the evening news ♪

♪ Oh whoa, and so it goes ♪

♪ But I hold on to hope, and I won't let go ♪

♪ 'Cause I... ♪

♪ I believe you and me are sisters and brothers ♪

♪ And I... ♪

♪ I believe we're made to be here for each other ♪

♪ We'll never fall if we walk hand in hand ♪

♪ Put a world that seems broken together again ♪

♪ I... ♪

♪ I believe in the end ♪

♪ Love wins ♪

Whoo!

Thank you.

Um...Carrie, is she pushing too hard?

Might be a little bit.

You have such a big instrument.

And I feel like sometimes,

if you start off out of the gate going 100 miles an hour,

there's nowhere left to go.

Absolutely. Phredley, can we do a --

Play that chorus soft.

Sing it soft one time, real relaxed.

♪♪

♪ I... ♪

♪ I believe you and me are sisters and brothers ♪

♪ And I... ♪

♪ I believe in the end ♪

♪ Love wins ♪

That was so much more emotional. Yeah. Hello.

Hello. Hello. Oh, my gosh.

That was really nice. Thank you.

Was it enough for maybe you to eat both those --

Can I have your biscuits?

[ Laughter ] You can have my biscuit.

[ Whispering ] Get Lionel's. Give me Lionel's.

You have enough!

My vote is yes. Thank you.

I'm excited to see what you do next.

I'm excited to grow. And please show us all the sides --

your softer side, your powerful side.

Yes for me. You're a queen.

Oh, my gosh. You're a queen.

You're a good enough singer to not have to push so hard.

Really focus on capturing the emotion

like you did on that second go-round.

I'm a yes. Oh, thank you! Thank you, Luke!

Lionel, what are you?

I'm full. [ Laughs ]

Oh, I'm sorry. It is an absolute yes for me.

Thank you, guys. And let me tell you something.

And I mean this from the heart.

You're a sweetheart.

And if you just calm down and put that voice out there,

you've got something magical.

Thank you, Lionel.

You need this!

You're going to Hollywood Week!

[ All cheering ] Oh, my! What?!

Remember, Mama, Mama. Mama. Here we go.

Oh, my God!

Livy: Mama Maria -- she got the chance to meet Luke.

And I think Luke was a little scared.

Oh, my God! You see who that is?

It's Luke Bryan! Lionel: Wait.

Get him! Oh, Mama.

Get him! [ Laughs ] He's been warned.

Thank you so much. Maria: Oh, my God!

Livy: Thank you very much.

[ All cheering ]

♪♪

You know, I worked my butt off for this.

Like, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett --

all these people have held this ticket.

Now look at them like...

"Now it's my turn." That's all I'm gonna say.

I'm ready to show the world what I can do.

And let's win this, baby. Let's do it.

We're going to Hollywood Week.

Let's give them a big, old, Texas-size yeehaw!

[ All cheering ]

Miyoko: Hello! my name is Miyoko!

And I'm 24 years old, and I'm from Ukraine.

♪ Kowareta boku nante sa ♪

♪ Iki wo tomete ♪

♪ Hodokenai mou hodokenai yo ♪

♪ Shinjitsu sae ♪

I sing Japanese,

though I don't speak Japanese for now.

I'm still learning English. [ Laughs ]

I can sing opera, rock, jazz, whatever,

and I was thinking which style matches me the most.

And when I started to work with anime project,

I felt like...that.

♪ Yureta yuganda sekai ni dan dan ♪

♪ Boku wa sukitootte mienaku natte ♪

♪ Mitsukenaide boku no koto wo ♪

♪ Mitsumenaide ♪

From the moment when I start singing,

I knew for sure that I'm gonna be onstage,

that I have enough energy to have stadiums,

to have huge concerts.

And I really, really want to share this with you guys.

♪ ...koto wo ♪

♪ Azayaka na mama ♪

Luke: Wow. Lionel: Wow.

Wow.

It's exactly what I want.

[ Laughs ] I love her.

I really love your energy.

I love everything you're about.

You are a star.

Thank you. You are a star.

I thought it was a very good.

I love your energy.

In this arena, we do not have an Anime Night.

[ Laughter ] So I'm not sure this is the avenue.

But we enjoy your uniqueness.

If I could take your energy and cut it in half...

I can. ...if I could take your vocals...

So we could -- ...and cut it in half...

We put the "Baby Got Back" through...

♪ I like big butts and I cannot lie ♪

I like you, Trace.

We got to check y'all's ears.

...and we're not gonna put her through?

You're hitting on something.

I'm hitting on a good point.

When Luke has -- poof! -- a moment,

we recognize. [ Laughs ]

This is my "Baby Got Back" dude moment.

There's show business, and then there's entertainment.

And we don't want theater.

We want that pop singer.

I can do it.

Uh...

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

♪♪

I don't know.

Mm. [ Laughs ]

I think the only way

you're gonna know what we're talking about

is to put you in the class.

You know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking we...

♪ Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun- dun-dun ♪

Don't put the muscle on. Don't put the muscle on. [ Laughing ]

Yeah. We're not trying to force Carrie into anything.

What you think, Carrie? Come on. You don't need me.

Just say it. You don't need me.

Just say what your vote is.

It's a no for me.

Oh!

What is our vote, Lionel?

I'm a big, old yes!

I'm a big, old yes! There you go.

Whoo! I go, yeah?

You're going to Hollywood Week.

You're going to Hollywood Week. [ Screams ]

Guys, we did it! Whoo! [ Laughs ]

I love it. Thanks for coming on board with me, Lionel.

No, I love her. I love her.

So, for next step,

I definitely have one extra challenge

is to get yes from Carrie.

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

Hollywood Week, I'm coming!

Carrie, I know this has damaged our judging relationship

just a wee bit. [ Laughing ]

Year two with Carrie, she can dig her heels in.

I would love to hang out with her.

No, totally. She is like Miss Cheerleader, awesome.

I did not find that entertaining.

She is 1,000% comfortable

in her role as a judge.

♪ You're the real tough cookie with a long history ♪

Well, we'll just have to see what America wants to do. That's my thing.

She's great. I like her.

There were several times that me and Carrie --

we kind of got at odds.

Our brains just are working differently...

I like that. ...which is great.

Lionel: I like that. Luke: It's definitely more

than "Baby Got Back" dude!

Y'all are mean! ♪ ...best shot ♪

You would be one that by the end of it,

it would be like, "Do you remember his first audition?

And look how far he's come." I'm a yes.

I'm a no.

Boo.

That was great.

She's gonna fight for her kids and the talent.

The kind of intro emo,

I just worry about that.

Yeah, but he said he likes Fall Out Boy.

Do you know what I mean? Do you do stuff like that,

that's like you can start out all quiet,

and, then, like, the drums kick in, and...

I do.

See? He does.

[ Laughs ] I'm a no.

Shocker!

"Shocker!" [ Both laugh ]

If we disagree on some things...

Oh, are we gonna beef?

It's too late. You gonna have some flat tires!

[ Both laugh ]

...it's all in love, you know?

Hello.

Got a whole band with you, trio. Oh, yeah.

Alright. Well, who are you?

My name is Vincent Fondale.

Well, who's your crew here?

Well, this is my band.

We've been together for 18 years.

Where are you from?

I'm from Cleveland, Ohio.

What do you do up there in Cleveland?

I do concrete with my brother,

and I've created this band up there.

What's the name of the band? It's named Recess.

Recess? Alright. Yeah.

We just think of it as, like, a break from every day.

Awesome.

What are you gonna sing today?

I'm gonna sing an original song

we actually wrote in 2019.

We felt like we were gonna break up,

and instead of breaking up, we just came out with this song.

Lionel and I thought we were gonna break up in 2019.

Never. We were gonna stay together no matter what.

Stronger than ever. [ Laughs ]

Alright. Let's go.

[ Intro to "The Sound of Giving Up" plays ]

♪ When every minute heightens my confusion ♪

♪ Till I could feel the fall from space ♪

♪ How come you look so close ♪

♪ Like you're right in front of me? ♪

♪ And if they say that time is an illusion ♪

♪ Why can't you see it on my face? ♪

♪ How come you look so close ♪

♪ But you feel so far away? ♪

♪ Why-y-y-y, ohhhh ♪

♪ How come you look so clo-o-o-o-o-o-o-se? ♪

♪ How come you look so clo-o-o-o-o-o-o-se? ♪

♪ Ohhhh ♪

♪ And I know it's over ♪

♪ But it's all I've got ♪

♪ I know I'm halfway there, but I'm just not close enough ♪

♪ Ohhhh ♪

♪ And I know it's over ♪

♪ But it just won't stop, no ♪

♪ A ringing in my ear and the sound of giving up ♪

♪ Oh, and I know it's over ♪

♪ But it's all I've got ♪

♪ Ringing in my ear and the sound of giving up ♪

♪♪

[ Applause ] Thank you.

I'm really excited about you.

You have this beautiful voice.

I have no words!

I'm a little on the other side of the fence.

Are you serious? Yes!

Are you serious? You've got big notes.

But I thought when you're doing the tender stuff,

it's almost not really connecting with me all the way.

It's just not reaching in me

and pulling, like, emotions out right now.

That's honest.

Lionel, what you think about our concrete boy?

The concrete brother. Yeah. Was that a concrete, solid performance?

Concrete work may not be where

you're going to end up with this thing.

You sound like an old, seasoned guy with that voice.

You know, you kind of know where you're going with that bad boy.

It's a yes for me. Oh!

Whoo-hoo! It's a yes for me.

He's already won Lionel over.

I can see the headlines now. No, no.

It's gonna be a good season.

Carrie and Luke at odds.

I can vote.

I'm a no.

You are dead inside. [ Laughs ]

It's a yes for me.

The concrete boy looks like

he has submitted himself to Hollywood Week. [ Laughs ]

Congratulations. I'm gonna give this to you.

You're going to Hollywood Week, babe.

And you get a hug?

Oh, my God. You're getting an express delivery from Carrie Underwood.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Congratulations. Man: Very cool.

Seeing Carrie and Luke at odds was very stunning.

She never gets mad and mean at anything. No.

I'm just glad Carrie was on my side

and I was able to move through.

Carrie's coming strong, okay?

You watch him.

[ Dramatic music plays ]

[ All cheering ]

Carrie and I are already incapable

of being in the room with one another.

[ Cheers and applause ]

It's Nicki Minaj all over again.

Oh, no, no, no!

[ Dramatic music plays ]

♪♪

I am feeling very, very nervous.

I've had the jitters all day. [ Thunder rumbles ]

Lionel: Were you ever nervous?

Like, on "Idol"? Yes.

Of course. I was horrified.

Randy: Are you nervous? A little bit.

I'd never done anything like this before.

For me, if I'm slightly doubtful...

[ Crowd cheering ]

...once I grab the mic, it's only one way.

♪♪

I got to go that way. Yeah.

You're kind of superpowered. You just take charge.

That's the mark of an entertainer.

That's a superstar.

Because you're gonna figure it out or you're not. Yeah, yeah.

Hopefully I can impress the judges.

I will be giving it my absolute all.

Right this way. Hi!

Lanii: Hi, you guys. How are you?

I'm great. I'm trying not to cry looking at you.

No, no.

Take your time. Take it all in.

You guys are -- Oh, my gosh.

Oh, my God.

Hello, you guys.

How are you doing? Good to see you.

I'm great.

I had a bunch of, like, hand warmers

strapped to my body just now, so I'm like --

Wow. I know you picked the sleeveless shirt, right?

Okay, listen. I'm new to Nashville.

You're from? Phoenix, Arizona.

Oh, Phoenix.

Arizona. Yeah. [ Laughter ]

Have you ever been in weather this cold?

No. Arizona doesn't get, like, below 50.

Alright. Just back up.

Tell us who you are and your age.

My name is Lanii. I'm 19 years old,

and I'm currently in high school.

Aw. Yeah.

It was my first time on a plane.

Did your family come with you?

So, I came alone.

Came alone? Sorry.

This is crazy. My dad loves you,

I love you, and I really like you. Aw.

I'm sorry. Anyways, yeah.

I'm gonna go ahead and start for you guys

'cause I'm taking up a lot of time.

Yeah, okay. No, no, no, no. Good!

You're doing great. Just we're learning about you.

So, from Arizona to here, what was the leap of faith?

Oh. I mean, "American Idol." Come on.

My dad.

He's in the ICU right now, so...

Oh. So this is all for him.

I'm doing this for him. He believed in me, and I'm here.

And I want this more than ever now.

♪ Pick it up, pick it all up ♪

I'm very insecure about my voice.

But my dad believed in me when nobody else did.

He saw it in me, even when I didn't see it myself.

♪ Got a second chance, you could go home ♪

My dad is the kindest person in the world.

But at the same time,

he was struggling with addiction since before I was born.

♪ ...medicine ♪

There were so many nights I would just cry

from watching my dad stumble upstairs.

♪ It's just medicine ♪

And he would say, "Tonight's gonna be my last drink,"

every day.

♪ You could still be what you want to ♪

♪ What you said you were ♪

Recently, he has been getting better because he stopped,

but he now has liver failure

and is currently awaiting a transplant.

Um...

♪♪

I really want my dad to be in my future,

but this could be my last chance

to show him his daughter tried for him.

♪♪

I am gonna be singing

"Tell Me You Love Me" by Demi Lovato.

So, I hope you guys like it. Okay.

Let's give it. Okay.

[ Intro to "Tell Me You Love Me" plays ]

♪♪

♪ Mm, yeah ♪

♪♪

♪ Oh, no, here we go again ♪

♪ Fighting over what I said ♪

♪ I'm sorry ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm sorry ♪

♪ Bad at love, no, I'm not good at this ♪

♪ But I can't say I'm innocent ♪

♪ Not hardly ♪

♪ But I'm sorry ♪

♪ And all my friends, they know when it's true ♪

♪ Don't know who I am without you ♪

♪ I got it bad, baby, got it bad ♪

♪ Oh, tell me you love me ♪

♪ I need someone ♪

♪ On days like this I do ♪

♪ On days like this ♪

♪ Oh, tell me you love me ♪

♪ I need someone ♪

♪ On days like this I do ♪

♪ On days like this ♪

♪ Oh, can you hear my heart say yeah? ♪

♪ No, whoa ♪

♪ You ain't nobody till you got somebody ♪

♪ You ain't nobody till you got somebody ♪

♪ Everything I need ♪

♪ Yeah, it's standing right in front of me ♪

♪ Oh, I know that we will be alright, alright, yeah ♪

♪ Through the ups and downs, baby ♪

♪ You know I'm-a stick around, oh ♪

♪ You know that we will be alright, oh ♪

♪ Tell me you love me ♪

♪ I need someone ♪

♪ On days like this I do ♪

♪ On days like this ♪

♪ Oh, tell me you love me ♪

♪ I need someone ♪

♪ On days like this I do ♪

♪ On days like this ♪

♪ Oh, can you hear my heart say? ♪

Thank you.

[ Applause ]

Wow. Okay.

You have an incredible voice.

[ Exhales sharply ] I don't even know if you know

what you could be capable of.

But you completely owned that.

[ Chuckles ] That was awesome.

Thank you. Yeah.

Some people's journey to get here

is a lot harder than others.

And yours has been a hard one.

And you're just out here being so real and open with us,

and you're not hiding anything.

You're not trying to be something you're not.

You're just being authentically you.

And I don't know, there's just something

really, really special about you,

how brave you are to get on a plane

and come out here and roll the dice and...

just sing your little heart out.

Thank you. It's what this show is about.

Thank you so much.

You got me all messed up over here in the corner.

[ Laughs ] So, what you told us

was about your dad and how you got here

and -- you know?

And then you walked in this door

with all this bubbling personality

and gave us an artist.

Thank you. I think that's what we're kind of happy about.

It's pretty uplifting to see the human spirit.

Thank you. And you're a perfect example of it.

Thank you. Alright?

I really want to see you go forward.

It's a yes for me.

Thank you.

It's a yes for me. Thank you.

It's a yes for me, too.

Carrie: Whoo-whoo! Great job.

I think, first of all, you're going to Hollywood Week,

but we're gonna give you a group hug.

[ Sobbing ] Thank you. Okay?

This is yours.

We'll see you at Hollywood Week. Thank you so much, you guys.

Carrie: Wait for me!

We love you. ♪ They say home is where the heart is ♪

We love you.

Lanii: Thank you so much.

We love you. Alright.

Thank you, guys.

Oh, my gosh.

We're the family. We're the family.

Welcome to the family. You're so cool.

[ Sobbing ]

♪ ...all the pieces ♪

I'm going to Hollywood. [ Sobs ]

[ Applause ]

What do I do? I don't know what to do.

Oh, my God.

This is everything.

Like, to you guys, it's just a card, but, like...

This is like the beginning of everything.

♪♪

♪ Time to come home ♪

[ Bell tolling ]

Ryan: Melinda Doolittle.

You went to school here at Belmont.

Melinda: I did. This is where my parade was.

This is where they watched?

[ All cheering ]

♪ Take me back, consider me, please ♪

♪ When you walk in that door, I can... ♪

Announcer: This is Melinda Doolittle Way. [ Cheers and applause ]

Ryan: Melinda, what's it like to be back?

It is crazy. Yeah.

But I'm really excited that "Idol" is on my home turf now.

Obviously, you have a lot of talent.

Do you think there's any left after we found you?

There's so much.

I mean, it's Music City.

We should go out

and just see if we can find any talent.

Oh, let's do it.

Right? Okay. Okay.

Cameras, let's go. See what we can find on Belmont.

[ Blondie's "Call Me" plays ]

♪♪

Hi!

Hello. Anybody want to sing for us?

We are auditioning for "American Idol."

♪ Call me! ♪

We'll send you straight to the judges.

I know you got class, but if you have a second. Anybody. No?

Come on! Okay. ♪ Call me! ♪

Do you want to sing something? Sure.

Sure. You want to sing for us?

Man: Yes, ma'am. I got you. Melinda: What you got?

♪ It's okay to think that you're better than me ♪

♪ I'm the obvious, I'm your number one ♪

What are you studying? Political science.

You keep that up. You got charm.

Let's see. Who else? ♪ Call me ♪

♪ Gaga, ooh-la-la ♪

[ Mumble-singing to tune of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" ]

Don't you sing. Sorry.

♪ I hear that train a-comin' ♪

♪ It's rolling around the bend ♪

That was pretty good. Let's see what else we can find.

Anybody? ♪ Call me! ♪

We got another. Hi.

Ever thought about auditioning for "American Idol"?

Uh...yes.

Yes. I would love to. Do you have class?

I do. But, like, this is more important to me. [ Laughter ]

Nice to meet you. Let's go.

♪ Meet you downstairs in the bar and heard ♪

♪ Your rolled-up sleeves and your skull t-shirt ♪

♪ You say, "What did you do with him today?" ♪ Mm.

♪ And sniffed me out like I was Tanqueray ♪

♪ 'Cause you're my fella, my guy ♪

♪ Hand me your Stella and fly ♪

♪ By the time I'm out the door ♪

♪ You tear men down like Roger Moore ♪

♪ I told you I was trouble ♪

♪ And you know that I'm no good ♪

Alright. [ Laughing ]

Alright. Carrie, what do you think?

I mean, just listening to you sing,

I feel like you can get some more air

underneath those higher notes

and maybe, should you get the chance

to surprise us next time with, like, a big vocal song.

Yeah. Okay. Luke: I love your vibe.

I do worry about the bigness of your voice.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to roll the dice on you.

[ Laughter ] Thank you, thank you.

Yeah. Ditto.

I am just rolling the dice.

It's a yes for me. Okay. Thank you!

Yes.

Wow!

Make it three.

Hey! [ Gasps ]

The enthusiasm paid off.

This is the most unexpected thing to ever happen to me.

Congratulations. Thank you!

Ryan: You did it! Oh, my God.

And you missed class all in one day. Yes, I did!

Jackie Bluebird.

I think she can get some more horsepower. Yeah.

We're so happy that you crossed our paths

when we were out there. Yes! I'm so glad you guys crossed my path.

♪ Don't you wanna be famous? ♪

Don't skip class, unless you get an audition for "American Idol"!

Ah! [ Laughs ]

Yay!

♪ Dontcha wanna be, dontcha wanna be famous ♪

Nyla: Oh, my gosh!

Wow!

This is beautiful. [ Chuckles ]

[ Laughing ] This is terrible.

I'm Nyla Martin.

I'm 17 years old, and I'm a junior in high school.

♪ When I say Nyla, you say "Smyla" ♪

♪ Nyla ♪ ♪ Smyla ♪

♪ Nyla ♪ ♪ Smyla ♪

I've never really described myself to people before,

but I would say, like, cool [chuckles] calm, and collected.

[ Laughter ]

[ Laughs ] Yeah, not today.

[ Laughter ]

My whole life has revolved around singing.

I'm not really good at much else.

Tykalen: Yeah. You're a character.

Everywhere she goes, she's trying to sing.

She's gonna ask somebody random.

And if they say no, she's still gonna sing.

[ Laughter ]

I've never met a famous person.

So when I see them in person,

I'm gonna be like, "Uh..."

Like, I don't know. I really hope not,

'cause that would be embarrassing.

But I'm gonna try to keep it cool and calm and collected.

♪ I go crazy now ♪

Hi, everyone. Hey.

Carrie: Hi! How are you?

Nice to meet you guys. You too.

I'm Nyla Martin. She went right to that mark.

[ Laughter ] I love it!

You went right -- You just jumped right into it.

It's so surreal to be here right now.

[ Both chuckle ]

I would, like, get my hair done by my cousin

on Sundays, when the show would air.

And, like, everyone would be singing and stuff like that.

And I would be like, "Oh, my gosh.

I hope that can be me one day." Wow.

And...

Here you are. This is crazy.

[ Laughter ] What will you be singing for us?

I'll be singing "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin.

Wow. Okay.

Take a deep breath, man. Take a deep breath.

[ Clears throat ]

Wow.

[ Intro to "Ain't No Way" plays ]

♪ Ain't no way ♪

♪ For me to love you, baby ♪

♪ If you won't let me ♪

♪♪

♪ It ain't no way ♪

♪♪

♪ For me to give you all you need ♪

♪ If you won't let me ♪

♪ Give all of me, yeah ♪

♪ And if you need me to love you ♪

♪ Say, say you do ♪

♪ Oh, 'cause baby, baby, baby ♪

♪ Don't you know that I need you ♪

♪ Ohhhh ♪

♪ I said it ain't, I said it ain't ♪

♪ No way for me to love you ♪

♪ If you won't ♪

♪ If you wo-o-o-o-o-n't ♪

♪ Let me ♪

♪ Ye-e-e-e-e-e-ah! ♪

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Whoa. Thank you!

[ Laughs ] Yeah, incredible voice.

Absolutely. Thank you.

It's hard to believe you're 17 years old

with an instrument like that. Crazy.

Thank you so much.

There were some moments where you dialed it back,

and they were really beautiful notes, really nice.

But you can tell singing means a lot to you

and this moment means a lot to you.

I almost want to see how much

you can grow in this competition. Wow. I like that.

She went 200,000 feet straight up

and landed the plane all in one piece.

[ Laughs ] Thanks. God blessed you with an instrument.

But for me, it's a teaching moment

that I really want to tell you about.

Because curls you have,

range you have,

if you had let's say an hour show,

you just gave the whole show away in the first song.

[ Laughs ] You could have done half of that

and still walked out of here with the prize.

If you could just learn to edit,

I think you'd be well on your way.

Thank you.

I'm a yes!

Okay.

Less is more.

I'm a yes. Ayishia: Yay!

Nyla: Oh, Lord.

It's a yes from me, too.

Nyla: Thank you! [ Laughs ] Give her the ticket quick.

Give her the ticket quick.

You're going to Hollywood Week.

Thank you! Oh, my God. What is this?

Coming around the corner. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Oh, you're there.

Carrie: Come on. [ All cheering ]

[ Uplifting music plays ]

Yes!

[ All cheering ]

How you doing, family?

I'm so thankful for everybody here.

Thank you guys for coming out to support me.

Lionel: I know where we're going.

[ Laughs ] Oh!

I'm going to Hollywood Week!

[ Cheers and applause ]

This is actually a working person's schedule.

Like 9 to 5 working...

It's like real, real work. Real working, yeah.

Where's our pail? We need a lunch pail.

It's 6:00. Wake up.

A lunch pail, thermos. Thermos full of coffee.

♪ All day long we work in the field ♪

Well, I'm a carpenter. I'm a spray-foam technician.

I'm a manager for a plumbing company.

I am a warehouse worker.

Young man: I'm a plumber.

I always tell everybody the stinkier it is,

the more money I make, so...

Yep, that's the truth.

We manufacture spray foam on the spot.

I feel like spray foam was a game changer

to the insulation industry.

It's the Ferrari of insulation.

Definitely. Yeah. For sure.

That's great.

[ Laughter ]

♪ Yeah, we know how to work ♪

♪ And we know how to play ♪

I'm Christian Brown,

I'm 22 years old, and I'm a delivery driver.

How are y'all? Luke: What's the word?

How you doing?

Doing wonderful today.

I'm ready to give y'all something today.

There we go. There we go. We are ready!

Alright. Well, who are you?

I'm Christian Brown.

Christian Brown. I know this guy right here.

Oh, you do? Luke: I do.

My dad is country music singer/songwriter Marty Brown,

and he is well known for the song

"I'm From the Country and I Like It That Way."

♪ We're from the country and we like it that way ♪

Christian: He put out three records in the '90s.

He's played on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

He's a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

He is, all in all, just a great songwriter,

great singer and a great dad.

♪ Yeah, we know how to work and we know how to play ♪

♪ I'm from the country and we like it that way ♪

♪ Everybody knows everybody ♪

♪ Everybody calls you friend ♪

♪ You don't need an invitation ♪

Invitation! Yeah!

♪ Kick off your shoes ♪

♪ Come on in ♪ Come on in!

♪ Yeah, we know how to work and we know how to play ♪

Carrie: Hey! ♪ We're from the country ♪

♪ We're from the country ♪ Hey!

♪ We're from the country and we like it that way ♪

Marty: ♪ Yeah ♪ I told you!

Lionel: There you go.

Look out!

Luke: Well, good deal.

Well, Christian, what are you gonna sing for us today?

"Wildest Dreams" that he wrote actually.

Love it. I'll do that one.

I'm singing "Wildest Dreams" that my dad had written.

He had written that song about his children.

It's a song about how much you love somebody.

I'm gonna be singing it for my dad.

It's my way of telling him I love him, too.

I would not be where I am today without him.

♪ Only in a dream ♪

♪ Would I be feeling this way ♪

♪♪

♪ And it would be a nightmare, lady ♪

♪ If you ever went away ♪

♪ Because you are the reason for the way that I feel ♪

♪ Is this love a dream or is it for real? ♪

♪ And if this is a dream, I'd sleep a thousand years ♪

♪ And wake up to find you lying right here ♪

♪ 'Cause in my wildest dreams ♪

♪ Never would I believe ♪

♪ You could love an old man like me ♪

♪ I'm just as common as I can be ♪

♪ This love could only happen to me ♪

♪ In my wildest ♪

♪ Wildest dreams ♪

Yeah.

Luke: Yes, sir.

That's my boy.

"That's my boy." I think Dad's a fan.

"That's my boy." I love that.

Gotta make you proud to watch your boy do that, right?

Yes. It do. it really does.

What you think there, Lionel?

Listen, I could take both of them

on the road right now and make a lot of money.

No. Your enthusiasm on performing, I love.

I want to hear more from your vocals.

I'd love to give more to you.

You have a surprising range to your voice.

Thank you.

You hit like a high note that I was like,

"Where'd that come from?"

Which is a weapon in your arsenal for sure.

Thank you so much, Carrie.

That means a lot coming from you.

It does.

Yeah, I think you definitely got all the tools

to really see some rounds in this competition.

I think really dig in more and more.

It's a big-time vocal competition. Absolutely. Yes.

but I want to see you go after that.

I want to see you grow. I'm a yes.

Thank you. Marty: Yeah.

Make that two.

It's a yes for me. Ahh.

It's an absolute yes for me.

You got three yeses.

All: You're going to Hollywood Week.

And bring Marty with you.

You want me to bring him with me?

Carrie: Sure. It ain't far.

Whoo! Yeah! Yeah!

That's right.

Luke: Good to see you, Marty.

Take care, baby. Good seeing you.

You did good, man.

Well, I'm gonna tell you, I was moved.

It just felt like I was...

It felt -- He made me feel like I was 22 again.

What a live wire -- Marty. I love Marty.

I love you. I love you. I love you very much.

That's what this is all about. That's right.

It's just a moment that we will have forever in our lives

together as father and son.

For sure. That's right.

I'm going to Hollywood, baby.

Whoo! Yeehaw!

♪ Let you go ♪

♪ I won't let you go ♪

♪♪

Julianne: I really want to tell stories.

I'm a storyteller with my music.

I've been writing songs as long as I can remember.

The first one was when I was, like, 5.

So what are you gonna do for us?

I'm gonna play an original song

that I wrote for my long-distance friends,

and it's called "Long Live the Lost Boys."

Okay. We're ready for you.

♪ She was by the window with adventure in her eyes ♪

♪ Wondering what was out there waiting on the other side ♪

♪ And he said, take my hand and I will teach you how to fly ♪

♪ And he said, I, I can see it in your eyes ♪

♪ 'Cause you're one of the misfits ♪

♪ Always doing things that they don't get ♪

♪ Tough from taking all of their worst hits ♪

♪ 'Cause you won't fit into their mold ♪

♪ So long live the lost boy is running home ♪

♪ And never let them tame your soul ♪

♪ Long live the ones who never grow old ♪

That, I'm gonna tell you right now,

I'll buy the first copy.

I'm a fan of "it doesn't fit."

It fits because it's you.

And your original song basically described you to a T.

Thank you.

It's a yes for me.

Thank you so much.

You are super-duper unique.

But I'm trying to see

where you would fit in the context of artists today.

Right. And it's like,

can we channel all of that uniqueness into something

where you can be you and your artistry,

but it also just makes total sense to the listener?

I could be right

or you could make me look real dumb someday.

Um, I think I'm gonna have to give you a no.

So, Luke, it is...

It's down to you, sir.

What do we do with this little creative creature?

Gosh, I don't know what to do with you.

I'm very confused.

♪♪

I'm a yes.

Yes! Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes.

Thank y'all so much. Yes, yes.

You're gonna do great things.

Be the wonderful misfit that you are

that doesn't fit.

I'm loving it.

Come get this, please, for goodness sakes.

You're going to Hollywood Week.

Thank you so much.

I guess I'm going to Hollywood Week.

I wasn't expecting to pass,

but then they let me through and I'm extremely happy.

We're being attacked by... Your fam!

Oh, my God, is this the whole herd here?

Yes. This way, gang.

♪♪

That was awesome to have my family come

into the audition room with me.

[ All cheering ]

I'm so blessed.

There's so much love in that family, boy.

That's so good.

♪♪

I just wanna let you know, bro.

It's very overwhelming to be here, you know?

You used to watch this show when you was little.

Very proud of you, bro.

It means a lot for y'all to be here.

It really do. I appreciate y'all.

Come here.

Lionel: Join us.

Carrie: Good day, sir. How you doing?

Good. So tell us who you are,

where you're from, your age.

I go by Trew the Star. I'm 24.

I'm from Montgomery, Alabama.

No way. Down the street.

Yeah. Down the street. Tuskegee, man.

Alright. Yeah, man.

Any musical background in the family

or just...just you?

My uncle Lionel.

Uncle who? Lionel.

Sounds like a good individual.

My first memory of music,

me and my mom actually used to watch "American Idol."

That was my first memory

of, like, loving music and, yeah.

He once tried to run away to Hollywood,

and he was just gonna run away with a guitar

and sing on the street.

I thought it was crazy.

Yeah. He was determined.

And I'm glad you kept that energy, bro.

Despite what anybody say about you, bro.

I appreciate it. For real.

♪ Why I gotta see them things ♪

♪ That hurt my heart ♪

Trew: Growing up was tough.

My mom was on drugs.

There was a lot of times we didn't have water on,

lights on.

I had to take care of my little siblings.

My mama had a hard life.

And truthfully, my mom went through the same thing

I had to go through.

You know, history repeats itself.

♪ Oh, oh ♪

Eventually, our family stepped in and my mom got clean.

She was actually really trying to change

and make things better.

♪♪

I lost my mom in 2022.

♪ Can you hear my cry? ♪

I had just started to understand.

I had just started to understand at that time

and I had just started to forgive her for a lot of things

that we went through as kids.

It was hard.

It was very hard.

♪ That's what it sounds like when a man cries ♪

♪ Na-na, na-na, na-na, na-na ♪

♪ Na-na, na, no, no ♪

This is a very special moment not only for me,

but for my family.

♪♪

For me, it's more than auditioning.

It's just about my family, showing them

that you can do anything that you can put your mind to.

♪ If I go ♪

♪ A million miles away ♪

♪ I'd write a letter ♪

♪ Each and every day ♪

♪ Because, honey, nothing ♪

♪ I said nothing ♪

♪ Can ever change this love I have for you ♪

♪♪

♪ Whoa-oa ♪

♪ You're the apple of my eye ♪

♪ The cherry pie ♪

♪ And, oh, you're cake and ice cream ♪

♪ Oh, you're sugar and spice ♪

♪ And everything nice ♪

♪ You're the girl of my, my, my, my, my dreams ♪

♪ But if you wanted ♪

♪ To leave me and roam ♪

♪ When you got back, baby ♪

♪ I'd just say, welcome home ♪

♪ 'Cause, honey, nothing ♪

♪ Oh, nothing can ever change this ♪

♪ 'Cause, honey, nothing ♪

[ Scatting ]

♪ Can change this old love I have for you ♪

Lionel: So -- So I'm channeled now.

All the folks in Montgomery, Tuskegee, Auburn, Union Springs,

they told me to give you a hug.

Oh, bless you so much. Thank you.

Uh, now we're proud of you, son.

Trew: Thank you so much.

Well, I love that. Thank you so much.

You have a commanding voice,

but I think my favorite part was your delivery.

It was completely intentional,

and it wasn't trying to barrel over the song

and show us all your big notes. Thank you.

You were just delivering a story to us,

and it was very believable.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

It was the first time in three days

I've had full-body chills the whole time. Yeah.

And I thought it was just so real and genuine.

And I just cheer for you.

I want to see your family have a blast with all this.

And, uh... Oh, we going.

Is the rest of your family outside this door? They should be.

♪♪

We have been waiting on you.

Come on in, Montgomery!

This is my brother. This is my sister.

That's my brother. That's my little brother.

That's my auntie. That's my uncle.

Montgomery is gonna be proud.

I think he came in here to take no prisoners,

and he just did that.

It's a yes for me.

I'm a big-time yes.

Carrie, what's the note?

Little man, you think we should all say yes

and give him one of these?

Say "yes." Say "yes."

[ Laughter ]

Nah! "Say 'yes.'"

It's a yes for me.

You're going to Hollywood Week!

[ All cheering ]

♪♪

I'm proud of you, man. Thank you so much.

Guys, family, you guys.

I'm telling you... this is wonderful.

Trew: It's really been a blessing.

It's really just been an honor to,

you know, be here with my family.

Do I fit in?

♪ Ever and ever and ever more ♪

I think they're just really proud of me.

And I know my mom is watching.

I got a golden ticket!

♪♪

This is hope. This is hope.

♪ Ooh, and you will ♪

♪ You will ♪

We have had the invasion of the Alabamians.

I'm 17 years old, and I'm from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

I'm from Huntsville, Alabama.

I know where you're from.

Birmingham. From Troy, Alabama.

Alabama is in the house.

Roll tide.

♪ Sweet home Alabama ♪

You're a Roll Tide? Yes, I'm a Roll Tide.

I'm a Bulldog. Oh, no!

Don't tell me that. ♪ Where the skies are so blue ♪

Woman: Which judge are you most excited to meet?

Kutter: Lionel Richie. I love his music.

And he's a Bama boy, too, so...

♪ I'm here without you, baby ♪

♪ But you're still on my lonely mind ♪

♪ I think about you, baby ♪

♪ And I dream about you all the time ♪

I love your voice. I love your confidence.

That little growl you have is signature to you.

♪ Alabama ♪

It is very different to be here in Nashville

compared to what I am used to.

I've never been around anything like this.

♪ You want all my love and my devotion ♪

♪ You want my love and soul ♪

♪ Right on the line ♪

I'll give you a chance. I'm a yes.

You need to know what you're capable of.

If you gotta push a little more, you gotta squeeze that tushie.

I'm a yes. It's a yes for me.

I'm going to Hollywood Week!

♪ Sweet home Alabama ♪

And, Miss Carrie, every time I sing,

I'm gonna remember to squeeze that tushie and let it out.

Best advice of my life.

♪ Sweet home Alabama ♪

♪♪

Our home state is showing up.

Hey. Luke: How are you?

How are you? Carrie: Hi.

Kiera: I'm good. How are y'all?

Great. I like your sparkles. Thank you.

Where are you from? Alabama.

Alabama. Wow. God. Represent.

What's your name?

Kiera Howell.

How old are you? I'm 16.

16 years old. 16.

Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir. Oh, my gosh, I'm so nervous.

Well, where do you -- where do you sing?

I sing at festivals a lot.

So those are my favorite.

I like getting to interact with the people after I finish.

I like festivals, too. I'm super social.

I'm a talker. Carrie: Good.

So what kind of music do you listen to?

And then what kind of music do you perform?

If I had to pick one, I've been kind of pulled

towards Christian rock a little more, so...

Okay. Cool.

That's actually what I'm singing today, so...

Cool. Well, what song will you be singing?

I'm singing "Don't Tread on Me." It's by We the Kingdom.

Alright. Well, let's... Cool.

Let's go.

♪ Oh, no, you've done it now ♪

♪ Gone against the King ♪

♪ Gone against the Crowd ♪

♪ Oh, no, you've done it now ♪

♪ It's time to feel the fire ♪

♪ And rumors spreading around ♪

♪ How could you think he would stay down? ♪

♪ Rumors spreading around ♪

♪ He's nothing but a liar ♪

♪ And get on outta here ♪

♪ Get on up and leave ♪

♪ Ain't no devil gonna tread on me ♪

♪ And choking on the blood that ran down the tree ♪

♪ Ain't no devil gonna tread on me ♪

♪ I said no weapon formed against me ♪

♪ Shall prosper ♪

♪ In Jesus' ♪

♪ Na-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a- a-a-a-a-a-a ♪

Wow.

♪ A-a-a-a-a-me ♪

♪ Who-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-a ♪

♪ Ain't no devil ♪

♪ Gonna tread on ♪

♪ Me ♪

Carrie: Whoo.

Alright.

Okay, I will tackle you first.

You'll jump in first. Yeah. I will.

I feel like there's a lot of versatility in there.

Well, thank you. Just in your tone.

And you sometimes kind of have this --

this grittiness in your voice.

Oh, I love rasp.

That's, like, my favorite thing in the world.

I could hear you singing country.

I feel like I could hear you singing,

like, some Stevie Nicks.

I like your voice a lot.

Kiera: Thank you.

And I mean, who needs oxygen, right?

I feel like you broke a Carrie Underwood

note-holding record somewhere.

I don't know. I don't know.

We might have to test it out someday.

Yeah, we'll have to time it one day.

But listen, you're very, very spunky,

and you've got a great energy to you.

But, you know, just sing smart.

Make sure you sing smart.

I think that song choice, too.

Yeah. That song...

Because you are so bubbly and fun and spunky,

like, should you go forward...

[ Giggles ] Oh, my gosh.

If you keep your -- your song choices, like,

young and fun and spunky, that'll do you well.

Thank you.

Idol University is looking for that kind of energy

to be on the cheering squad, don't you think?

Yeah! I think so.

Thank you. Carrie: Shall we vote?

Yes. Oh, my gosh.

Lionel? Yes.

Yes, ma'am.

I love it.

Come get this.

You're going to Hollywood Week.

Thank you. Thank y'all so much.

Alabama. Come on.

Yeah. Thank you.

Good job, Alabama. You're representing.

This is, like, so unreal. I see this on TV.

And now, like, I'm holding it on TV,

which is kind of the craziest thing in the world.

[ All cheering ]

She's fun. She is fun.

She's got a little Gabby Barrett kind of quality in there, too.

[ All cheering ]

Kiera: This day was absolute perfection.

And I'm going to Hollywood Week. Yeah!

That was a wild ride there for the last 45 minutes.

Yeah. Today was promising.

I mean, we found some real talent.

I'm already dreading, like, paring things down.

Yeah. Ooh.

Come on in. Don't be shy.

Come on in. Hi, guys.

Watch this.

Carrie: How are you? How are you?

I'm doing very well.

Ah. So great. What is your name?

My name is Roelle. I'm 25 years old.

I come from Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico.

But a few months ago, I moved to California

to pursue my music dream.

So when you moved here, did you move to, like, Los Angeles?

I moved to Death Valley.

I work in Death Valley National Park.

Death Valley?

Yes. The hottest place on Earth.

♪ I stretched myself ♪

♪ Across four states ♪

♪ New lands, west coast ♪

♪ Where my dreams lay ♪

I've loved music since I was a little girl.

Back home in Puerto Rico, I really tried every route,

every way to be involved in music,

but I feel like I never quite fit in that industry.

♪ 'Cause I was never told ♪

I just didn't want to give up my dream.

♪ The things I want the most ♪

I started searching on Google "Jobs with housing USA,"

and this popped up.

Oh, my gosh.

It was so different. As of right now,

I work as a retail associate in the bike shop at Death Valley.

My job consists of doing reservations, being the cashier,

telling people about all the sites they can go out

and explore in the national park.

The plan was to save up money and then head to L.A.

and keep pursuing music.

I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.

This is, like, crazy.

I live over there by that mountain.

The hardest thing has been leaving my whole world behind.

When was the last time you saw your family?

I saw them the day before arriving to Death Valley.

It's been six months since I saw my mom.

My whole life, she told me,

"Go follow your dream and I'll be here to help you,

always."

I know I can hear her through the phone from Puerto Rico,

but it's not the same to have that hug in person.

♪ Come get me out ♪

I feel like she reminds me to be that little girl

that had such big dreams.

♪ Come get me out ♪

Well, we actually have a note here from your mom.

Oh, my God.

Carrie: It says, "God bless you.

I want you to know I'll always be here to support you.

Remember what I've always told you since you were little.

Dreams do come true.

Don't let anything or anyone stop you.

I'm here with you in spirit.

I love you with all my heart. Love, mama."

Oh, so beautiful.

Thank you for that.

Carrie: Now that I made you cry or your mom made you cry,

what are you gonna sing for us?

"Maybe" by Sienna Spiro.

Oh, awesome. Okay.

No, I can't wait to surprise -- surprise her.

Very happy and...

I don't know if I'm gonna run or...

Because I'm so excited.

I...Is...

I...

Happy.

[ Speaks Spanish ]

♪♪

♪♪

♪ All I wanted was to be your hostage ♪

♪ For you to tie me up and never let me leave ♪

♪ If we're honest, it took the longest ♪

♪ Time for you to even notice I was here ♪

♪ But now I'm feeling jaded ♪

♪ I thought I was your favorite ♪

♪ I believed in you for so long ♪

♪ Well, maybe this time ♪

♪ You'll hurt like I do ♪

♪ You won't get no sympathy ♪

♪ 'Cause I got none from you ♪

♪ Couldn't make up your mind ♪

♪ Mine's not confused ♪

♪ Nothing left in me that wants to leave a space for you ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ You'll feel like I do ♪

♪ It don't feel so good ♪

♪ When it's your turn in blue ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Don't fantasize when you picture me ♪

♪ When you close your eyes and I'm in your dreams ♪

♪ Don't matter to her, don't matter to me ♪

♪ Think I care, I don't ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ You'll hurt like I do ♪

♪ You won't get no sympathy ♪

♪ 'Cause I got none from you ♪

♪ It don't feel so good ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ When it's your turn in blue ♪

♪ Oooooh ♪

Carrie: Wow. Wow. Okay.

Roelle: Thank you. Very cool.

Very good. Thank you so much.

Carrie: That was really good.

I'm kind of at a loss for words

because I didn't really know what to expect.

Uh, your -- your tone, I mean, your range...

You can feel just so much emotion.

It's -- It's incredible.

It really is.

Yeah.

You open your mouth and it's just songbird.

I really love the way

you navigated a very difficult song

and made it yours.

Yeah, we've heard that song quite a few times now,

and that was the first time

I've heard someone give me the right experience with the song.

You just really made that song come alive to me,

and I'm really looking forward to seeing you,

uh, explore even more.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Yeah, I think we can vote.

But before we do, um, in your mom's note,

she said that she is with you in spirit,

but she is also with you right now.

For real.

Oh, my God!

♪ See it now ♪

Ahh.

♪ Light on the horizon ♪

♪ See it now ♪

♪ Calling out to you ♪

Ah, so sweet.

♪ See it now ♪

[ Both speaking Spanish ]

Oh, my God, you guys.

Luke: Nothing better than Mama's hug, right?

I don't need to vote.

Let's tell her the good news.

All: You're going to Hollywood Week!

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

I was calling her, and I was like,

"She's not answering my calls.

Like, she's not gonna know if I made it or not."

And she was here.

I'm so excited, happy, proud.

I never would have thought I would be holding one

of these in my hands.

Luke: That was great. Lionel: That was great.

Wow. Awesome day, y'all.

We're getting there.

Class of 2026.

♪ I see a house up on the hill ♪

[ Crying ]

Roelle: This golden ticket is like

that little bookmark

that lets me know it's a new chapter.

Mama... gracias.

Thank you for being here.

I will always remember this.

We both made it.

♪ Standing still ♪

Luke: You're the last audition.

Lionel: Bring it home.

[ All cheering ]

Carrie: You're going to Hollywood Week.

Wow!

Keep the guitar.

Sir, is your name Bryan?

Am I in trouble?

Yes! Easy.

Man: It's a gift to hurt so much, you know,

because it means that something was important there.

I love you guys.

He was gravity to us. He was my best friend.

I didn't think I'd ever get to be somewhere like this.

Aww.

I can't believe we have not seen you

in this room until now.

[ Crying ] Thank you.