Original subtitles

The winner of "American Idol" is...

...Laine Hardy!

...another "Idol" champion was crowned

as this bayou boy became the latest

to enter "Idol's" rich legacy of stars

with a career that's taken off.

But he wasn't the only one from last season

to make an impact...

My name's Alejandro.

♪ Hold me closer to your fantasy ♪

...as we met a 24‐year‐old dishwasher

from Pomona, California. ♪ Love and need ♪

I just feel like I'm in the presence of greatness.

Alejandro Aranda's audition was a once‐in‐a‐lifetime moment...

...that set a course for an incredible trajectory.

I think what we're watching right now

is the beginning of that phrase "a star is born."

Alejandro Aranda is ready to take his show on the road.

The singer‐songwriter has announced he is going on tour.

Alejandro, AKA Scarypoolparty,

is playing his first sold‐out tour.

Here with his song "Millennial Love,"

Scarypoolparty!

Never in a million years thought

anybody would ever sing back my lyrics.

♪ This millennial love is something else ♪

And his impact on "Idol's" new season is a game‐changer.

♪ Loving you ♪

Alejandro has opened a whole nother level of talent

coming in and trying out.

Hey!

I'm actually a huge fan of Alejandro.

We are, too.

Alejandro, he really brought gravitas.

I think you're Top 5.

Yeah!! Yeah!! Yeah!! Yeah!!

All artists of different genre come here, and they trust us.

I get really insecure because I don't look like the other girls.

I couldn't listen to music growing up because,

where I come from, music is prohibited.

Addiction is one of the hardest things

I've ever seen in my life to defeat.

I believe in you. We believe in you.

Thank you. ♪ You can go your own way ♪

These people come from the nooks and the crannies of America.

This is in the middle of Kansas.

That's what we want.

I think he might be the biggest star

we've ever had on "American Idol."

Oh! ♪ Go your own way ♪

I got chills in my cheekbones.

There are no ideas of what "American Idol" used to be.

This is a whole new playing field.

Alright, well, this is a first.

You want to sing for your life?

Yes.

Let's go sing in the streets right now.

This is the first audition outside, on a boat.

♪ You can go your own way ♪

It's exciting, it's new, it's fresh.

♪ Go your own way ♪ So, we heard a rumor that you have no idea who we are.

What song do I sing?

Is "Chandelier" one?

Who's he?

I'm stumped.

Oh!

I know! That's the thing! That's the thing!

You are the definition of this show!

It's amazing! This is, like, the best day ever!

Ah. You are why I signed up to do this job.

You're going to Hollywood!

♪ Another lonely day ♪ Yes!

There's no limitations to what these kids can do...

♪ You can go your own way ♪ ...and it's about them.

Thank you! It's the great American dream,

and that is why "American Idol" is so important.

He has got me tore up.

Come on, boy. Come on. Whoo! Man!

We believe in you. America believes in you.

What a great shot from where you started.

♪ You can go your own way ♪

Congratulations, you made it to "American Idol."

♪ Go your own way ♪

♪ Turn your magic on ♪

♪ To me she'd say ♪ We finally made it! Oh, my gosh, guys, let's go!

♪ Everything you want's a dream away ♪

Here is your official "American Idol" sticker.

♪ We are legends ♪

♪ Every day ♪

You know what? This is amazing.

I mean, I have to tell you,

it's almost like, "Did we ever leave?"

I know. It feels like we did not.

It's season 3, and we killed it last year.

We crushed it last year. I know, but we cannot

rest on the laurels of our second season.

Oh, no. We've got a new standard.

Let's see if there's any talent left.

Douglas?

Okay, bro, say hi to the judges.

There they are.

♪ Whoo‐hoo, whoo‐hoo ♪

♪ Whoo‐hoo, whoo‐hoo ♪ Hey.

How's it going? Well, welcome to the show.

Tell us who you are and where you're from, your age.

My name is Douglas Kiker. I am 27 years old.

And I live in Mobile, Alabama, in the Grand Bay area.

Mobile, ah.

You guys are really pretty.

Oh, man. Thanks, man.

What? I'm sorry.

Thank you very much. We'll take that.

We don't wake up this way...

...but, uh, Lionel is frozen this way.

I'm frozen. I can dig it.

And what do you do? What's going on?

I'm a garbage man.

I work on the back of a garbage truck.

So what kind of performing experience do you have?

I don't have any.

I sing on the back of the garbage truck. That's it.

Have you ever fallen off the back of the garbage truck?

I've come close, but I ain't gonna lie to you,

when I got a grip, I ain't letting go.

Come here real quick.

Let me see your calluses on your hands.

Alright.

This is what a real man's hands feel like, Katy.

Looky there.

I've been lotioning 'em up, too, man...

...trying to make 'em look a little softer, too.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Aah! No, I ain't squeezing hard.

I'm just kidding. Oh, you know that.

So you have no experience whatsoever?

None whatsoever.

If I said to you "warming up and practicing,"

you don't know anything about it.

You just hit it like...

I just hit what you tell me to do.

I want him to go out right now...

Okay. ...warm up,

and then you come back and you get it together, okay?

I‐I wouldn't know how. Listen to me.

No, no, Ryan is right outside that door.

You just go outside that door,

and he'll show you exactly how to warm up.

Alright.

♪♪

Alright.

How did it go?

Uh, he told me to warm up real quick.

I didn't even sing.

To warm up? Yeah.

Oh, you didn't sing at all?

I don't know what I'm gonna ‐‐ how I'm gonna warm up.

Oh, I'll take you ‐‐ I'll teach you how to warm up.

Come ‐‐ Come with me. We'll warm you up.

It's hot outside. Let's go warm up.

Come on down. Alright.

♪♪

We'll take you around the block, get you all warmed up.

Yeah, they don't want you coming in there cold.

Okay.

How are you guys? Hi.

How you doing? My name is Ryan.

I'm the host of "American Idol."

Douglas is about to audition for the judges,

and they wanted him to get warmed up,

and he told me he hasn't really had a chance

to sing in front of people ever.

So you're gonna be his first audience,

if that's alright. ‐Yeah.

Let's see how he does.

Let's get it done. Let's get it going.

Let me, uh...

Yeah, I'm gonna come on with it.

Alright.

Is he good? We don't know.

Oh. ♪ There's no business ♪

♪ Like show business, like no business I know ♪

Next.

Hi! How are you?

How are you? I'm great. How are you?

We're good.

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

My name is Camryn Leigh Smith. I'm from Acworth, Georgia.

And, um, tell us a little about yourself.

Well, I'm 16 years old.

Um, I grew up in church, and I'm a worship leader.

What music do you typically sing?

I'd say, mostly worship stuff.

Okay. But outside of church, it's more secular, so...

Secular? I was just saying that, right?

Oh, girl, I know exactly what you're talking about.

Soon, when you go to Hollywood, everything is secular.

Oh, God, just hang on.

Got to hold on to your principles.

What are you singing today?

"Big White Room" by Jessie J.

Okay. Very good.

Yeah. Wow. Ooh.

♪♪

♪ Sitting in a big white room alone ♪

♪ Tilt my head back ♪

♪ Feel the tears fall ♪

♪ Do‐o‐o‐wn ♪

Whoo. What?

Hey.

♪ Close my eyes to see in the dark ♪

♪ I feel young, broken ♪

♪ So, so scared ♪

♪ I don't want to be here anymore ♪

♪ I want to be somewhere else ♪

♪ Normal and free ♪

♪ Like I used to be ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ I'm going crazy ♪

♪ I'm losing my mind ♪

♪ I'm going crazy ♪

♪ In this big white room of mine ♪

♪ Everybody's looking at me ♪

♪ Everybody's staring at me ♪

♪ What do I do no‐o‐o‐w? ♪

♪ Smile ♪

♪ Yea‐a‐a‐a‐h ♪

♪ Ooh, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ Hmm. Wow.

♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh, whoa, yeah ♪

Oh, my gosh.

Thank you.

Like...

Am I right on that? Yeah.

A little.

I've seen, like, pictures of you when you were young.

Like, you ‐‐ When I was young?!

God, you were so close, you were so ‐‐

Chill out!

You were so close, Luke.

Next time you see me, I'll be even younger.

Camryn, when you dug into that note towards the end,

it gave me hope

for the third season of "American Idol."

Ah.

Way to go, dude. Way to go, dude.

Way to go. It gave me hope again.

Every once in a while, something just shocks us

into believing

that there is something better than last season.

Wow. I just think the fact

that it's just so natural and easy for you...

Yeah. ...at this age is just remarkable.

So I'm a big‐time yes.

♪ Thank God for you ♪

I'm a big‐time yes.

I stand up. You're going to Hollywood.

Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

Right? No, thank you so much.

You are our hope for our reputation.

Thank you.

So nice to meet you all. Great job.

Thank you. Great job, okay?

Thank you so much. We'll see more of you.

Bye. See you in Hollywood.

Bye! Bye, guys!

My audition went amazing.

I got a standing ovation from Katy Perry.

Well, another lost angel joins the flock.

Yeah!

Do you think he's ready to go see the judges now?

Good, let's go. Well, y'all got me ‐‐

Ooh, y'all have my nerves up!

I'm going to Hollywood!

Is that in ‐‐ Where is it? Is that in, like, California?

Like, L. A.?

♪ Hold up, whoa‐oh‐oh ♪

We got the blood flowing on Douglas here.

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Hold up, there must be a new way ♪

♪ Wait up, how long do we stand here? ♪

Let's start over again. Welcome to the show.

♪ We don't need a sign to run away ♪ Alright.

Don't go away. More "Idol" in 60.

♪ We don't need a reason to make a change ♪

♪♪

Is he good? We don't know.

♪♪

We got the blood flowing on Douglas here.

Alright!

I think we warmed up the muscles on Douglas

outside just now.

He got positive reviews, though.

Alright. He did?

I was crying, man.

Y'all outdid yourself before we began.

That's an experience. He's got some soul.

You needed to get the jitters out before you got here.

Let's start over again. Welcome to the show.

My name is Doug Kiker. I'm 27 years old.

I live in Mobile, Alabama, in the Grand Bay area.

So how much experience do you have?

I have some experience now.

There you go! Right answer!

Yeah, I'll tell you.

And more importantly, why are you auditioning for us today?

For my 2‐year‐old daughter, Elianna Elizabeth Kiker.

I'm trying to show her, like, if you put your mind to it,

there's nothing you can't do.

I'm sorry, you're really pretty.

I'm just trying not to look at you.

I'm ‐‐ I'm sorry.

Aww.

Okay.

Take a deep breath and give it to us.

Alright.

♪ I set out on a narrow way ♪

♪ Many years ago ♪

♪ Hoping I would find true love ♪

♪ Along the broken road ♪

♪ But I got lost a time or two ♪

♪ Wiped my brow, kept pushing through ♪

♪ I couldn't see how every sign ♪

♪ Pointed straight to you ♪

Thank you so much.

Yeah, buddy.

I want to hear a little bit more.

Show us your range.

Alright. I don't know what that is, but...

I love you. I'm sorry.

Show us what you can do with your voice.

I'm still trying to figure that out, too.

Alright, um...

Hold on. Hold on.

You got some ‐‐ Whoo!

Help is on the way.

I don't know how to go along with that.

I can try, though.

♪♪

♪ I set out ♪

Can you hit that note? I can try.

♪ I set out on a narrow... ♪

♪ I set out on a narrow way ♪

♪ Many... ♪ ♪ Years ago ♪

That was awesome.

♪ Hoping I would find true love ♪

♪ Along the broken road ♪

♪ But I got lost...♪ ♪ But I got lost a time or two ♪

♪ Wiped my brow, kept pushing through ♪

♪ I couldn't see how every sign ♪

♪ Pointed straight to you ♪

♪ That every, every ♪

♪ Every long‐lost dream ♪

♪ Lead me to where you are ♪

Ah. ♪ Others who broke my heart ♪

♪ They were like northern stars ♪

There it is. Come on, now!

There's so much in there. I don't know what to do.

Thank you so much.

Whoo!

Dude.

I'm a huge fan of all three of y'all, there, regardless.

Well, we're a huge fan of you.

That was amazing.

I'm a fan of the garbage man.

Doug, do you understand what you just did?

Not really.

That's the beauty of it!

For a man who does not know what his voice can do,

for a man who does not have an idea

about what key he's singing in,

for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be,

he's here to do one thing ‐‐

he's trying to show his daughter that he's somebody.

That's real.

Now, I don't know about you guys,

but I want us all to let you know you're a hell of a man.

Whew!

I want us ‐‐ Come here.

♪ There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light ♪

You know, you guys are awesome, man.

I want you to come get this ticket.

Can I say this now?

All of us?

You're going to Hollywood.

‐Thank you. ‐Yeah.

‐Whew! ‐Congratulations, man.

♪ One day I could see it ♪

Now each one of us is gonna give you a hug.

Yeah. Appreciate that, man.

I'm a little sweaty from all that work.

That's alright. That's alright, man.

♪ Demanded that somebody free it ♪

A little easier than the garbage truck, though, right?

You need your bag popped anytime, I got you.

I got you.

Whatever you need.

Listen. You just stay who you are and you're gonna go so far. Yeah.

And you're gonna take your daughter with you

to all the highest heights. Thank you so much.

Ryan, will you take that guy before I start crying?

We're proud of you. I love this show.

You got a lot more performances coming your way, my friend.

Thank you, guys. Thank you, judges.

Alright, man.

Hey, Doug. Yeah, huh?

That wasn't garbage. It was greatness.

I appreciate y'all, for real, man.

Oh!

Hey, baby, you know, I already made it.

♪ There was a dream ♪

♪ One day I could see it ♪

Congratulations.

Douglas is going to Hollywood!

Whoo! I made it!

I'm going to Hollywood! I can't believe it!

Congratulations, man! What a day, bro!

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Man. Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie!

They just welcomed me with open arms.

♪ There's a darkness upon you that's flooded in light ♪ A garbage man, sweat and all.

The things these hands have seen.

♪ And in the fine print ♪ Damn!

♪ They tell you what's wrong and what's right ♪ And they shook my hand and hugged on me,

made me feel like ‐‐ like one of them.

♪ There's a darkness upon me that's flooded in light ♪

It proves, if you believe in yourself

and you work at it, you can do anything.

♪ There was a dream ♪

I work so hard because I'm just trying to give my daughter

every opportunity that I never had.

♪ One day I could see it ♪

♪ Like a bird in a cage, I broke in ♪

I love you.

♪ And demanded that somebody free it ♪

I miss you. I'll be home soon.

Yeah.

Whoo! That was awesome!

And mark it.

Wait, like that? Okay, okay.

Sorry, it's my first time with this.

So, my name's Francisco Martin, and, um, I go to ‐‐

sorry ‐‐ College of San Mateo in, uh...California.

Cool. Alright, one more time.

Yeah, sorry.

Don't be sorry, man. You got this.

♪ Yeah, let's shine, yeah, let's dream ♪

My name is Francisco Martin. I'm 18 years old.

I'm from San Francisco, California,

and I'm a college student.

And I'm ‐‐ Right now, I'm studying pre‐law.

Well, here is your official "American Idol" sticker.

Whoo! Go, Francisco!

♪ Let's go, let's go ♪

Of course I want my music to be my career,

and I ‐‐ like, I love music,

but I've always had a struggle with self‐confidence.

♪ Ooh, ooh‐ooh ♪

I don't know. I feel like everyone's nervous.

But if I put myself in that mind‐set

of just, like, "Just have some fun,

don't, like, overthink things," I should be fine.

♪ Ooh‐ooh‐ooh ♪

Well, alright. What's up?

I'm good. How ‐‐ I'm good. How are you guys?

Are you nervous? A little bit.

A little bit, my ass. You got to ‐‐

I'm excited to be here. You got to calm down.

You got to ‐‐ You got to ‐‐ You're about to die.

You got to calm down, now, see.

Yeah, hold on. You need to ‐‐

You need to calm down, see. Come on. Let's get one in.

Yeah, you want to calm down. It's gonna be okay.

Damn, you ‐‐ Are you breathing?

Yeah. I'm fine.

You're not breathing.

Alright. Hold on.

There you go. Check him out.

Hold on. Listen. Listen to this heart rate.

Hold on. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Alright, hold on. Count ‐‐ Do your watch, Lionel.

You may be on the verge of, uh...

We need a damn EMT in here. Hold on.

I'm nervous right now.

I can't even talk. You know, like, I'm shaking.

You have to stop. You ‐‐ Believe me.

Look at my ‐‐ It is. Yeah.

148 is his heart rate.

I'm excited to be here. Grateful.

Alright. That's why.

When I'm cycling, going, I'm 148.

Thank you. Thank you, guys.

That calm you down at all? Yeah, it calmed me down.

Thank you so much. There you go.

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

I'm Francisco Martin. I'm from San Francisco.

Francisco from Francisco.

There you go.

So what are you gonna do for us today?

So I'm gonna sing "Alaska" by Maggie Rogers.

Very cool. Perfect. Yeah.

♪♪

♪ I was walking ♪

♪ Through icy streams ♪

♪ That took my breath away ♪

♪ Moving slowly through westward water ♪

♪ Over glacial plains ♪

♪ And I walked off you ♪

♪ And I walked off an old me ♪

♪ Oh, me, oh, my, I thought it was a dream ♪

♪ So it seemed ♪

♪ And now breathe deep ♪

♪ I'm inhaling ♪

Yes! Go.

♪ You and I, there's air in between ♪

♪ Leave me be ♪

♪ I'm exhaling ♪

♪ You and I, there's air in between ♪

That's great!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ Come on!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh‐ooh ♪

♪ You and I, there's air in between ♪

♪♪

You ‐‐

You little devil, you.

Ah, sneaky sneaky! Yeah. Oh.

What a great trick you just did.

I just checked the pulse of a future superstar.

I mean, I love the way you set us up.

"I'm a little afraid, I'm a little timid,

I'm not quite sure." Pow! Okay?!

You've got an incredible voice.

I don't know if you write your own songs...

I do. Yeah.

Excited to hear that.

Save them.

I don't know.

I mean, I'd like to hear 30 seconds of one.

Go for it. Go for it?

We just want you to...win.

So this song is, um, a song I wrote about my friend.

She's Australian. She visited over the summer.

Is her name Sandy?

Uh, her name's, uh, Tyra.

Uh, she...

...would tell me stories, so I wrote a song about it.

♪♪

♪ Your skin placed over my chest ♪

♪ We talk all night for hours ♪

♪ You say I'm over my head ♪

She doesn't sound like a friend.

That made me laugh. That made me laugh.

Now, that caught you.

I promise you, she's a friend. She's a friend.

Uh‐huh. Uh‐huh!

Listen, I, um... I'm so happy to see you.

Sweat, hypertension, and everything,

I don't know what you got.

Whatever it is, it's a talent.

Are you in college? Yeah, I'm in college.

Drop out.

No, don't. What are you studying, at least?

What are you studying? What's your major?

Um, pre‐law. Yeah, there you go.

I'm trying to get my associate's degree.

Yeah. You pursue this.

Law is your fallback.

Would you faint if I told you that you are Top 10?

I would ‐‐ Oh, my...

I think you're Top 5. I think you're Top 5.

Well, what ‐‐ Show him what you ‐‐

This is what Luke thought.

Yeah. Yeah.

Let's vote. Let's ‐‐ No.

No vote. No, no ‐‐ Right.

You're going to Hollywood!

Thank you so much. Okay, Francisco from San Francisco.

Come here. Come right in.

♪ Stay awake, stay awake, stay awake with me ♪

Man, okay? Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Hey, listen,

I know you're nervous, but you're gonna have to

figure it out, 'cause it's about to come.

So we're gonna recommend a no‐caffeine diet for you.

Okay. Yeah, thank you.

♪ Stay awake, stay awake, stay awake with me ♪

So good. So good.

I had, like, some faith in myself,

but I ‐‐ I'm ‐‐ I'm very ‐‐ I'm very happy

that they ‐‐ they took the time

to, like, make me sing, like, more songs,

like, to give me a chance, 'cause I was very, very nervous.

But yeah.

I don't know about that.

So while this golden ticket holder's

collegiate future is in question...

I'm going to Hollywood!

...one thing's for certain.

Hey!

The talent for season 3... Whoa!

...is nothing short of extraordinary.

Sounds like a dang rock star to me.

Really nice to see you.

God bless you.

I feel like everything that I've done

has set me up for this moment.

I'm so sorry.

We got you.

But...

Put your seat belts on!

...it all may be too much for Katy to handle.

See you, Kate.

Um...Katy?

Good morning! Hey, L. A.!

Are we excited?

We bring our energy up, not down!

Jab, jab, right, hook, right.

Hi, welcome to "American Idol."

What's your name, age? Whoo!

My name's Hunter Gibson.

What's going on?!

I am The Comeback.

♪ I just want to be the best ♪

I go by The Comeback.

The Comeback is my rock persona.

I want to show that rock is still alive.

I don't feel like "Idol" has something that's me yet.

Like, in your face, like, hyping everyone up,

like, all of that energy, energy, energy.

Your hair looks so nice. Thanks.

I wish mine looked as good as yours.

I ‐‐ Fortunately, someone helps me with it.

Ryan Seacrest is pretty ‐‐ pretty hot.

I listen to your ‐‐ your radio station, you know?

Thank you for listening. Appreciate that.

And, Katy Perry, like, your first album is everything.

I actually saw her at Warped Tour.

That was one of her first times ever performing.

She got booed off stage.

So, yeah, I was just kind of sad, but, like, look at her now.

The show must go on.

♪ I just want to be the best ♪

Well, personally, I put myself out on YouTube

and got like 25, 30 dislikes and like 5 likes, which ‐‐

You have to remember the people that liked you, you know?

Well, good luck, man. Thank you.

Nice to meet you.

I'm my star, and I'm the people's star,

and I'm the American Idol.

♪♪

Oh, goodness, coming in hot!

He's coming in hot here.

Hello.

Hi! Ooh!

He loves him some Katy.

Yes! Yeah.

Okay, oh. I saw you at Warped Tour!

Whoa! Yeah. Yeah.

Who are you, and how young are you?

My name's Hunter Gibson, but I go by The Comeback,

'cause I make, like, rock music.

Oh. So I'm trying to do, like...

...The Comeback.

This is my comeback. Here we go, you know?

O‐Okay. Just like...

You know? Like... Whoa, mosh pit.

Whoo! You are the first to mosh on "American Idol."

I'm down to start a mosh pit.

First and foremost, let's ‐‐ let's hear your music.

Okay. I think I'm ready, but I'm not sure.

♪ Wish cast into the sky ♪

♪ I'm moving on ♪

♪ Sweet beginnings do arise ♪

♪ She knows I was wrong ♪

♪ The notes are old ♪

♪ They bend, they fold ♪

♪ And so do I to a new love ♪

♪ Did you think that I would cry ♪

♪ On the phone? ♪

♪ Do you know what it feels like ♪

♪ Being alone? ♪

♪ I'll find someone new ♪

♪ Swing, swing from the tangles of ♪

♪ My heart is crushed by a former love ♪

♪ Can you help me find ♪

♪ A way to carry on again? ♪

♪ Swing, swing from the tangles of ♪

♪ My heart ♪ ♪ Is crushed by a ♪

♪ Former love ♪

♪ Can you help me find ♪

♪ A way to carry on again? ♪

Alright, alright, alright, that was great.

That brought me back.

♪ Bury me ♪

It's not over!

♪ You thought your problems were gone ♪

♪ Carry me ♪

♪ Away, away, away ♪

♪ Swing, swing ♪

♪ From the tangles of ♪

♪ My heart ♪ ♪ Is crushed ♪

♪ By a former love ♪

♪ Can ♪ ♪ You ♪

♪ Help me ♪ Aah!

Aah! ♪ Find a way ♪

Stop it. ♪ To carry on again? ♪

Aah! Stop it.

You have to sing actual shows. Stop.

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Hmm ♪

This is an actual movement, Lionel.

♪ Swing, swing ♪

It's ‐‐ It ‐‐ Who was that?

All American Rejects? Oh.

Ooh, hey. Oh, no.

Okay, alright, alright.

Um, The Comeback ‐‐ That was, uh...

The Comeback. Come back to the oval.

Come back.

Listen. That was ‐‐ That was thrilling.

Yeah, that woke me up. That's what I was trying to do.

I know.

I liked it.

You know, you really definitely did it. Yes.

Since we vibe, I appreciate what you're doing,

and you are correct ‐‐ this movement is coming back.

I don't know if it's back enough yet for "American Idol,"

but I think you could be ahead of this next curve.

I mean, I'll see you at the show.

I'll invite you.

I'll bring Luke and Lionel.

We'll be there. Oh, I'll be there.

I'll actually throw them in the mosh pit.

Just the singing and the vocals

aren't all the way there yet, bud.

Okay.

It's specific for this show. Yeah, yeah, I was gonna say.

We must have the ol' vocals cut through. No ‐‐

It definitely cut through, but in a different way.

It cut ‐‐ Right. Yeah, yeah.

Which is what I was trying to do.

I know, and I get it. Well, that's your deal.

Don't lose your energy and what you're...

He is not.

Lionel?

Stay committed to what you're doing.

I just don't think it's going to be for "American Idol."

Yeah. It's a no from me.

Hunter, AKA The Comeback...

♪ Just be yourself ♪

...it's a no for "American Idol." Luke?

♪ It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else ♪

Hunter, thanks for your energy, bud.

Carry it on. Um, it's a no from me.

♪ It just takes some time ♪ We appreciate it, though.

Thank you. Really.

Great performance, by the way.

♪ Everything will be just fine ♪ You woke everyone up.

How did we do? I didn't make it.

No ‐‐ No ticket? No ticket this time.

Aw!

I'm not what "American Idol" is looking for,

but I‐I got Katy Perry singing,

and I rose the energy in the room.

♪ The Comeback is coming back next year! ♪

It is what it is,

and you're gonna get the door slammed on you so many times.

Maybe next year, I can really just...

♪ I just want to be the best ♪

♪ This is a world premiere ♪

What's up, guys?

I'm back at it again.

Round two, here we go.

Mm.

There's no music, but they're probably gonna play music,

like, in the edit, so I'm just dancing to that.

Mm.

♪ I love myself ♪

My name is Nick Merico. I'm 23. And I am from Woodland Hills.

♪ But it can do what it want whenever it want ♪

I feel like you look really familiar.

I feel like I've seen you before.

Really? Yeah, I really do.

Auditioning for "Idol" last year was an incredible experience.

How y'all doing today? ‐We're doing well.

Good lord, hunkasaurus.

Hunkasaurus rex.

The judges really loved it. I got the golden ticket.

I feel like Katy and I maybe had a connection.

I don't know. We'll see this year.

♪ I love myself ♪

I remember you getting a ticket to Hollywood Week, right?

That's right. Yeah, yeah. And then we broke up?

Last year, I got through, but I backed out.

I didn't go to Hollywood.

So, came back this season to prove that I have what it takes.

Five, guys.

♪ My heart undone ♪ ♪ I love myself ♪

I'm excited to show the judges what I came here to do.

♪ I'm about to kill it ♪

♪ And I'm about to kill it ♪

How bad do I want the golden ticket?

♪ Life is more than suicide ♪

♪ I love myself ♪

How bad do you want to breathe?

♪ I love myself ♪

♪ The world is a ghetto with big guns and picket signs ♪

♪ I love myself ♪

Son of a gun. That's a singing brother up there, boy.

What's up? Hi, guys.

Hey, now. Good to see y'all.

How are you?

I love that walk‐in.

I'm doing pretty good. Walking in here like ‐‐

That walk ‐‐ what? Walking in here like ‐‐

They told me to go to the "T." But how about this?

I'll come a little closer. No, no, no.

You got to be back there. No, no, no, no.

Your lighting is back there.

Lighting is better over here? Yeah.

I'll take your word for it. Also, you look very familiar.

I auditioned last year. Yeah.

Yeah, you abandoned us. You left us.

I know. My heart's broken, too.

Are you back on your knees, pleading for a second chance?

‐Is that what you want? ‐No, I don't need you.

No, no, no, no, no. But just, like, figuratively.

Not a good look. Figuratively.

I mean, yeah, I'm here to play for you guys, you know?

All joking aside, we were like...

"What happened?"

Some personal things went down,

and I had to figure out a lot of things

and really take the last year as a boot camp.

And you guys were so kind to me,

and I'm so grateful for a second opportunity.

That's why I'm here today, to sing for you guys again.

Well, you better not ghost us.

I won't. Again.

Not gonna happen. 'Cause it triggers me.

I know. I'm on my way, but I'm back.

I brought snacks. We on this road trip now.

Well, I'm already engaged. You missed it.

Anyway...

And I'll take pork rinds.

Okay, just reintroduce yourself. Alright.

Let's hope you ‐‐ Let's hope you still got it.

So, my name is Nick Merico.

Today, I'm gonna be singing "You Say" by Lauren Daigle,

and, uh, I'm really looking forward to it.

How old are you? 23.

Alright, Nick.

Alright. Give it to us again.

Let's do it again.

♪♪

♪ I keep fighting voices in my mind ♪

♪ That say I'm not enough ♪

♪♪

♪ Every single lie that tells me ♪

♪ I will never measure up ♪

♪♪

♪ Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low? ♪

♪♪

♪ Remind me once again just who I am ♪

♪ Because I need to know ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ You say I am loved ♪

♪ When I don't feel a thing ♪

♪ You say that I am strong ♪

♪ I think I am weak ♪

♪ You say that I am held ♪

♪ I am falling short ♪

♪ When I don't belong ♪

♪ You say I am yours ♪

♪ And I believe ♪

♪ I believe ♪

♪ What you say to me ♪

♪ No, I believe ♪

You're still dreamy, and you can sing.

Phew. Alright, back in the oval of judgment.

I'm back? Here I go. Phew.

Alright, Nick, um... I enjoyed the chorus.

I enjoyed the cry in the chorus.

I just have this feeling

that you think that you're too good for us.

Ohh. Katy, remove those demons.

That's not true at all.

I mean, that's the only reason why you would abandon us.

Well... Yeah, sure, you got a lot of things going for you.

You're cool. Nice eyes.

You sing well.

You came in here with your nice eyes.

Yeah, you sing well.

You definitely tick a lot of boxes.

So all I'm saying is that if you do go to Hollywood,

just, like, be open to being molded and shaped

and the whole thing, 'cause you do have a good chance.

But there's one thing that's gonna get in the way ‐‐

and don't let it ‐‐ it's gonna be your ego.

I understand. Okay, I know exactly what you're talking about. Okay?

I hear you. 'Cause we don't ‐‐ We don't really ‐‐

We don't really tolerate that. Of course.

Yeah, Nick, you know, I remember last year seeing you.

I mean, like I said, you're the carbon cutout

of a teenybopper heartthrob.

He has tremendous eyebrows.

And he can sing.

Yeah, man, you're going to Hollywood, in my opinion.

Alright, uh, Nick, we have a problem.

Okay.

We have a big problem, honestly, because...

Okay. ...I don't like you.

Ooh! Lionel Richie!

No, I got to be honest. Really?

Mm‐hmm, I got to be honest with you, I don't like you.

And for some weird reason, it's not sitting well with me.

I don't like your voice. What?

No, I'm being honest. I'm being very honest.

I don't like your attitude.

And I don't really think you're gonna make it in Hollywood.

♪♪

Well, a big problem, honestly.

Okay. Because I don't like you.

Ooh. Lionel Richie!

And for some weird reason, it's not sitting well with me.

I don't like your attitude.

And I don't really think you're gonna make it in Hollywood.

Now, how do you feel right now?

I feel hurt. Good.

Because that's exactly what I want you to feel like.

Because I want you to understand

what it feels like when people don't adore you.

You got that? I do.

I want to take him from here...

I want to take him from here...

to here.

And then I want him to come back up here now

when we tell him he's gonna work real hard

and give us the goods.

Lose the rest.

Yeah, you know, I got to tell you,

if you play it a little bit more modest

and can be a little bit more humble in this process,

you'll have America's heart.

Absolutely.

Thank you, guys.

Guys, can we vote right now?

Oh, no, no, no. No, no, no, hold up.

No, here. Wait, come here.

We have to do it officially.

Okay, hold it. One...two...three.

You're going to Hollywood.

♪ Say it a, say it again ♪

Thank you, guys! And a therapist.

I‐I've never done that before. It felt really good.

Kill it.

Alright, guys, I'll see you soon, alright?

Alright. You strut, boy!

You strut! I got you!

Oh.

That's what I used to look like.

Whoa!

Lionel, you scared the hell out of me today,

and I ‐‐ and I love you for that.

They tore me down.

She's like ‐‐ Katy's like, "Wait, wait, wait,

I think you thought you were too good for us."

The judges really let me have it.

It really made me see things in a new perspective.

Thank you, guys, for this ticket.

I won't let you down.

So Nick gets yet another bus ticket to Hollywood.

♪ Yeah ♪

Speaking of buses...

♪ Bring it on home, bring it on home ♪

♪ Bring it on home ♪ ...it's a new season

and a brand‐new chance for our iconic "Idol" bus

to bring someone's "American Idol" dreams

into view. ♪ Bring it on home ♪

♪ Bring it on home ♪

We crisscrossed the country

to dig up the best undiscovered talent.

And we've added a few notable stops ‐‐

the birthplaces of our very own judges.

♪ Bring it on home ♪

Tuskegee, Alabama, home to our living legend Lionel Richie.

I know Lionel Richie from birth.

I will tell you this ‐‐ if I'd have known

how famous he was gonna be, I'd have treated him better.

But the main thing about Lionel Richie ‐‐

his music reflects who he is.

If it were not for the foundation

he had here at Tuskegee, he would not be that person.

Leesburg, Georgia,

the birthplace of country boy Luke Bryan.

Luke lived here and worked here

and started his band here.

He just loves Leesburg. Always has.

And Santa Barbara, California,

home to the incomparable Katy Perry.

What a turn‐out, Santa Barbara.

I can't believe the people ‐‐ Whoo!

Hey, what's up?

Hey, Katy, you're speechless. What's the problem?

♪ Bring it on home ♪ Say something.

♪ Home, home is where the heart is ♪

This is where our judges' dreams began.

♪ I'mma bring it on home ♪

But how far would the next American Idol have to travel

to fulfill his own American dream?

♪ Home is where the heart is ♪

It's a lot further than you might think.

So, tell me about where you're from.

Uh...right now, I'm currently living

in Wichita, Kansas, for five years.

And originally, I was born in Nepal, Kathmandu.

My name is Dibesh Pokharel,

and I go by the stage name called Arthur Gunn.

And I was born in Nepal, Kathmandu.

I loved growing up in Nepal.

Yeah, Nepal is a very beautiful country.

You have mountains and hills everywhere.

And everyone is friendly.

Yeah, it is a wonderful place.

Music has always been, like, my thing from when I was a kid.

And I got my first guitar from my mom,

and then I started singing along,

any song I could hear on radio, TVs, you know?

That's when the dream started.

And after high school, I moved to America

because it's the land of great opportunity, you know?

Now that I'm here in Wichita, Kansas, it feels good, you know?

♪ Steady as the morning ♪

Living in Wichita really got me into,

like, bluegrass and country.

I hadn't listened to those kinds of music before.

But I was, like, pulled towards it, you know?

It was like a magnet.

So how are you feeling about the audition?

I'm excited.

Uh, a little bit part of it ‐‐

let's say 10% nervous and 90% excited.

Alright, dude, good luck. Thank you very much.

To be performing, like, on "American Idol,"

it is a great deal.

So this is my chance to make my American dream come true.

Hello. How are you?

Hi. Namaste.

Good. How are you guys? Very well.

Namaste.

Welcome to the show. Thank you.

Tell us where you're from, who you are, the whole thing.

My name is Dibesh Pokharel,

and I go by the stage name called Arthur Gunn.

Arthur Gunn.

Yeah, I'm living in Wichita, Kansas,

for five years now,

and I was born in, uh, Nepal, Kathmandu.

What's your original name? Uh, Dibesh.

Dibesh. What does that mean?

Dibesh. Uh, it means "light."

Ah.

It also means you're "di besht."

Thank you.

You are possibly "di besht." Thank you.

What are you gonna sing for us?

Uh, today, I'm gonna sing a song by Bob Dylan

called "Girl from the North Country."

Let's hear it. Okay.

♪ So if you're traveling through the north country fair ♪

♪ Where the wind hits heavy on the borderlines ♪

Wow.

♪ Remember me to the one who lives there ♪

♪ Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm ♪

♪ To keep her from the howling winds ♪

Mm.

Thank you.

Just give me another song,

just to get a little more of an idea of what you do.

Okay. Can you do me a favor?

Just keep your eyes open. Yeah, yeah.

And look at us, or look to your guitar.

Awesome.

♪ Someone told me long ago ♪

♪ There's a calm before the storm ♪

♪ I know ♪ There it is.

♪ 'Cause it's been coming down for some time ♪

♪ When it's over, so they say ♪

♪ It will rain a sunny day ♪

♪ I know ♪

There it is.

♪ Shining down like water ♪

♪ But I want to know ♪

♪ Well, have you ever seen the rain? ♪

♪ Yeah ♪ Oh, my gosh.

♪ But I want to know ♪

♪ Have you ever seen the rain? ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Coming down on a sunny day? ♪

♪♪

He is "di‐besht." Thank you.

You want to open for me in Detroit, Michigan, in two weeks?

Of course. I'd love to.

Oh, my God. Whoo.

I am loving this discovery.

Thank you for being here. Thank you, actually.

Do you notice the connection

when you kept your eyes open, and the joy and the happiness?

Yes, I did. Yeah.

'Cause you have such a great storyteller voice,

and I'm really excited for you.

Thank you. We know what you're doing.

You are feeling this music, but it makes your eyes

kind of roll back and flutter a little bit,

and we're just trying to set you up for global overtaking.

What a unique artist you are.

‐How did you audition? ‐I went to the open call.

‐Where? ‐In Wichita, Kansas.

Was it the bus? Yeah, it was the bus.

So you just brought your guitar,

you came to the bus, and you sang your song?

‐Yeah. ‐I like it. I like it.

I mean, what an American story.

This is in the middle of Kansas.

‐ ‐Arthur, you're a rock star.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

I want you to understand something.

Okay. Okay?

This is me talking to you.

You have no idea what this journey is gonna be for you.

I'm stoked for it. I'm excited, really.

Oh, man. God bless you.

You are the story that we need to tell.

And welcome to the world, my friend.

Thank you very much.

I don't think we need a vote.

Alright, let's do it.

You are going to Hollywood.

♪ It's not tonight ♪

That's awesome. That's awesome.

‐Thank you so much. ‐

‐God bless you. ‐Thank you. So very nice to see you.

‐Nice to meet you. ‐Congrats.

Very good to see you in real life.

Thank you very much.

Yeah. Blessings.

Yeah.

♪ Oh, it's not tonight ♪

Ladies and gentlemen, Arthur.

♪ When you hold me tight ♪

♪ And the fire bright ♪ He's going to Hollywood!

♪ Let it blaze alright ♪

You're going to the epicenter of American entertainment.

How does that resonate?

This is amazing. It's like a dream.

It's like an American dream.

How does a kid from Nepal wind up in Wichita, Kansas...

Oh, my God.

...and then on "American Idol..."

On "American Idol." ...and then sounds like that?

Thank you for that one. Oh, goodness.

♪♪

Welcome back to "American Idol,"

where the auditions are about to begin

in our nation's capital, Washington, D. C.

Where's Luke and Lionel?

Do you know where they are?

♪ So I put my hands up ♪

♪ They're playing my song, and the butterflies fly away ♪

They're making some racket out there for us, Lionel.

Heck, yeah. This is some presidential stuff.

I feel like a big deal.

♪ I put my hands up, they're playing my song ♪

♪ I know I'm gonna be okay ♪ Lionel!

This is your element. People! Folks!

Ready? Love you guys.

♪ Yeah, it's a party in the USA ♪ Hey, guys.

Whoo!

D.C.

Hello, Washing‐ton.

Alright. What do we have here?

I guess we're supposed to reveal these.

Luke, you're first.

Always.

Oh!

You look a little bit like a Kennedy.

That is a compliment.

Please, please. Come on. Here we go.

First Lady of Pop!

I‐I ‐‐ Yeah. Madam Secretary.

I love your... The suit's very ‐‐

Very good. Very nice.

Alright, Lionel, let's see what you look like.

Alright. Okay.

There he is. Wow!

Yours is the best‐looking!

I mean, it's like if Obama and Martin Luther King

had a child, there it is, right there.

Talk louder.

I look like a senator.

You do. I'm smiling with my teeth and my tongue.

I know. Is that First Lady‐like?

That's Madam Secretary. It will be when I run.

Ah.

Let's go!

So, what do you want to do?

I‐I don't know, man. I told you like 20 times, you pick.

What is that?

That was interesting.

Oh! Oh...my...God.

What? What? What? What? What?

I'm Alisa. I'm 28 years old. And I'm from New York.

♪ Down the streets, I'm the girl next door ♪

I was born in Moscow, Russia,

and I moved to America when I was 8 months old.

If I lose, you're fired.

Ooh!

I'm with Luigi Babe.

He's my music partner and mentor.

I'm crazy. I can sometimes be a hothead.

Ya mogu govorit' po‐russki,

but I can still talk to you with a New York accent,

so don't mess with me.

♪ Hello, world ♪

I can't even see your eyes in those glasses.

Those are huge. That's like a windshield.

When I walk into that room today,

the judges better be ready

and bring their umbrellas for the shattering glass.

♪ Cherry bomb ♪ Oh!

I know this is gonna be

the most riveting audition I've ever done.

Brrrrr! Ah!

Oh. Oh!

Whoa! Whoa!

What? Dear Lord.

Well, we're having a snack.

Okay. You're looking like a snack.

Drop the paper bag. Unreal.

Where are you from? Who are you? What's going on?

Hey, hey, hey. I'm Alisa.

Born in Russia, raised in Queens, New York.

Great.

That's all I need to know.

And this is Luigi Babe,

my musical partner and my mentor.

What do you do for work?

For work, I'm an actress for film and television.

I've been in "Hustlers" recently with J. Lo, and ‐‐

Hey! Hey.

What were you in "Hustlers"?

Russian Stripper #2.

Was it a speaking part in "Hustlers"?

Some new girl.

Plain. Homely. Don't know who she is.

I felt it. I felt it. I‐I ‐‐ Totally.

Who do people compare you to, musically?

Musically? I couldn't tell you.

Visually, Taylor Swift.

Okay, Alisa, AKA Russian Stripper #2,

what are you gonna sing for us today?

We're gonna do an original for you, love,

called "Say Goodbye."

‐Love? ‐Yep.

‐Oh. ‐

‐She's hustling right now. ‐

I love it. Okay. Go ahead.

Alright.

♪ Break the ties ♪

♪ Of the ones who hate you ♪

♪ Break the ti‐i‐i‐i‐es ♪

♪ Of the ones who waste your time ♪

♪ And you don't need them ♪

♪ You don't want them ♪

♪ So say goodbye ♪

♪ Say goodby‐y‐y‐e ♪

♪ S‐a‐a‐a‐a‐a‐ay ♪

♪ Goodby‐y‐y‐y‐y‐y‐y‐y‐e ♪

Uh, okay.

Do you guys cover any Heart?

Uh...

Mm.

We can make you laugh real quick, if you want?

No. Yeah.

Hey, if you're not laughing, you're crying. There you go.

Everybody, get ready. Put your seatbelts on.

Hey, Alisa. Hey, Luigi.

You got a driver's license? Oh, my God.

I just got my driver's license.

I'm up in Hollywood Hills,

and I hear this really loud noise.

And this big white Mercedes

comes up with a little old lady,

and she says, "Hey, you.

Get out the car."

I said, "Forget about it,"

like every other New Yorker would.

For what? She said, "You know what?

I like you. Here's my card.

You're gonna be a star."

And you know what else she said?

Yowza!

Whoo!

Alright, Alisa, we don't want to rain on your parade,

but we are definitely gonna have to do a little sprinkling.

You guys are loads of fun.

I can't say that I was blown away by the singing.

Mm‐hmm. But I think you have big pipes.

But as far as what I feel like

we need on "American Idol,"

the vocals aren't quite there.

I did laugh on the performance,

but I just don't think it's... for us here.

Yeah, Alisa, I think it was super fun.

You wear many hats and many costumes

and have many tricks.

I can tell. Let's take a vote.

Um...

Thank you for coming out, but I'm a no.

I am also a no.

Can't wait to see the act out in the real world.

It's a no from me. Good luck.

I got to go see "Hustlers," though. Yeah.

You got me there. Thank you, guys, so much. Alright.

Thank you, guys, so much. Thank you.

♪♪

Smiles, but...

♪ Hey, you're so vicious ♪

A bomb and a smile.

All of them said no,

so all of them are out of their minds!

Big mistake! Big!

Katy, what is wrong with you?

Do you not know what unique is?

She was so salty to me,

as salty as the fry grease on her mouth.

♪ Vicious ♪

You don't decline the force!

What is wrong with you people?!

Are you out of your mind?! Do you know what this is?!

This is a force!

You don't decline a force! This is a joke!

♪ Vicious ♪

♪♪

Alright, let's get back. Let's make America sing again.

Hi, how are you guys? We're good.

Tell us who you are.

My name's Louis Knight. I'm a singer/songwriter.

I'm 19 years old.

It looks like you were in the beginning of One Direction.

Yes.

So you're 19 and you're from where?

I'm originally from London, England,

and I moved to Philadelphia for the last 8 1/2 years.

And what do you do for money now?

Part‐time pizza delivery guy.

Part‐time pizza?

‐Yeah. Yeah. ‐Alright.

For a local shop. Yeah.

What are you gonna be singing?

I'm gonna be singing an original called "Change."

Alright, go ahead.

Alright, thank you.

What is, um... What is the song about?

So this song ‐‐ I wrote this song about

going through the loss of one of my brother

and I's best friends to suicide.

Thank you. Very good.

I grew up in London,

but when I was 10, we all moved over to Philly.

It ‐‐ It was a fresh start,

but it was just such an adjustment period for everyone.

It was definitely harder for Max, my brother.

Luckily, we joined soccer teams. Oh!

That was how we all first made friends,

and then Max met Russell.

♪ Remember all the things we wanted ♪

He became one of my best friends

and became a part of the family instantly.

We were as thick as thieves.

We just always had a great time together,

and he was always so supportive of my music.

He would film me playing at the piano.

He sat with me when I wrote songs before.

Even when you didn't, he would always believe in you

and he'd help you see that, too.

Oh, he was just such a good person.

We knew he was going through a hard time.

We didn't know the extent of that suffering.

♪ And I want you to know ♪

♪ You couldn't have loved me better ♪

About a year and a half ago, he took his own life.

My brother was living in England at the time, and...

...I had to call my brother

and tell him that ‐‐ that Russell was gone.

♪♪

It was...It was just...

It just shattered ‐‐ shattered his world,

and, um, that was so hard.

When something like that happens,

it really just stops your whole world.

I tried sitting down for a long time to write about it,

and nothing was really working at the time

because it was just going through the motions

of ‐‐ of dealing with that loss.

Eventually, something I'd been trying to talk about

finally just came out.

♪ But Russell taught me there's wisdom in my soul ♪

This song ‐‐ I wrote it as a tribute to him

and everything he brought to this world.

It's given me an opportunity

to really shed some light on the issue

and ‐‐ and hopefully to make people not feel so alone.

I don't know. All ‐‐ All I can hope for this song

is that maybe it can speak to someone suffering

and ‐‐ and maybe save a life, and that's all ‐‐

I mean, that's all I can possibly hope for.

♪ Had to jump into the water ♪

♪ Just to find a way to float ♪

♪ See, life, it comes in waves ♪

♪ And it's full of highs and lows ♪

♪ But Russell taught me there's wisdom in my soul ♪

♪ And deep down, I think we're as good as gold ♪

♪ No more waiting here, running back and forth ♪

♪ No more losing sleep, having second thoughts ♪

♪ No more ♪

Yoo‐hoo! There you go.

♪ I'm lucky to live ♪

There you go.

♪ Another day ♪

♪ But how would you feel? ♪

♪ If I showed you my mistakes? ♪

♪ And what it felt like ♪

♪ To walk away? ♪

♪ See, you're concerned ♪

♪ It'll go to waste ♪

♪ I'm lucky to live ♪

♪ Another day ♪

♪ It's time for change ♪

Very good.

Thank you, Louis. Thank you very much.

Meet us on the oval, please.

Yes.

I think he might be the biggest star

we've ever had on "American Idol."

Wow, Mr. Luke.

That's a bold statement, and, yes, I kind of agree.

Wow. You know, it's funny ‐‐ not even ‐‐

I have chill‐bumps telling you you're a star.

I wouldn't go so far as say

you are the biggest star we've seen in these three seasons.

Mm. Got to keep you humble. Got to keep you ‐‐

Yeah. Yeah. I want to stay that way.

...you know, wanting it.

But I really appreciated your original song.

I appreciated the sentiment of it, the feeling of it.

Thank you. From a songwriter,

you're on to something big, okay?

Your parallels when you write,

your absolute lines leading up to your hook ‐‐

fabulous.

Just do more of it to control your destiny.

Thank you so much.

That means a lot, guys. Very good. Very good.

Feel like we can unanimously say ‐‐ One, two, three...

You're going to Hollywood!

Thank you, guys, so much.

Come here. Got to get this.

I really appreciate it, guys. Yeah.

Good luck to you. I really look forward to it.

Oh, this ‐‐ You know what's gonna be so fun?

In, like, five years when you're a fat star

and won't talk to all of us, looking back at this clip.

I know. It's firing me up. Thank you, guys.

I really appreciate it. I look forward to it.

Thank you. Have a graceful day. Good job, man.

♪ I can't wait to go home ♪

♪ I'm on my way ♪

Getting the three yeses,

especially when I perform my own original song,

which was a song that was really personal to me,

was absolutely incredible,

and it's all ‐‐ all I could have ever hoped for.

I love it.

He's ‐‐ He's such a big star.

He is. He's a big old star.

Great for the show, there.

Russell would be absolutely thrilled.

I think he'd be looking down

and he'd be smiling and he'd be really proud.

♪♪

♪♪

Welcome to "American Idol."

Yeah. All the way from Canada.

Whoa.

What's your name, age, and where are you from?

My name is Saveria, I'm 22,

and I'm from London, Ontario, Canada.

Music started for me around the age of 9 years old.

♪ I got the mu‐u‐u‐u‐sic ♪

I was signed to a label...

♪ In me ♪

...for a kid's cover CD in Canada.

I was in commercials, I was doing the whole thing.

I was in the recording studio really young,

and things were amazing.

But time came when things just kind of fizzled out for me,

and I was released when I was about 13 or 14.

It was tough as a kid to have people say no to you.

It really did suck.

But I never stopped making music...

♪ You belong ♪

...and, you know, refining my guitar skills.

I feel like everything that I've done, honestly,

has set me up for this moment.

Hey. How's it going, you guys?

I feel really prepared to be, like, "Hey, this is me.

Listen."

♪ This is a place that you belong ♪

How are you?

I'm good. How are you guys?

Who are you?

I'm Saveria, I'm 22 years old,

and I'm from London, Ontario, Canada.

Saveria.

What type of name is that? It's cool.

It's an Italian name.

It was my great‐grandmother's, actually.

Do you know what it means?

I believe it means "new home."

Ah. Yeah. Very good.

Well, hopefully, this is your new home.

Yeah.

Tell me about why "American Idol."

I mean, I've been doing this for more than half of my life,

so whatever I can do musically, like, I try my hardest.

Anything that's music, you know?

We're interested.

What are you gonna sing?

My original ‐‐ "Tell Me This Is Real."

♪ Please tell me ♪

♪ That the timing's wrong ♪

♪ That we skipped a song ♪

♪ Holding back a river ♪

♪ Just to let it all flow ♪

♪ Out soon ♪

♪ I'm just looking for something ♪

♪ Something to do ♪

♪ Something new ♪

♪ Take me down the way you did each time ♪

♪ Well, I needed more ♪

♪ Than I ever thought ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Yeah, I need it now ♪

♪ Say it one more time ♪

♪ Yes, I'll say it one more time ♪

♪ Please tell me this is real ♪

Thank you, thank you.

Alright, Lionel Richie.

You had moments of great vocal stuff,

and then all of a sudden,

I kind of drifted back and drifted off again.

I wasn't quite paying attention.

Your job is to keep me... engaged.

Mm‐hmm. What?

I don't ‐‐ I just didn't feel it, guys.

No, I'm with you.

Um, you just stood up there

and worked your butt off in front of us.

Sure did.

But it's not making me levitate out of my chair.

Mm.

Well, you know what?

You're a great singer.

You are a gymnast singer.

You can do cartwheels and backflips and do it all.

You have so much potential.

Let's take a vote.

♪♪

I'm a yes.

Thank you.

Okay, I'll go.

I just think it's a no for now.

What? Are you crazy?

I'm going to say it

because I think she needs to do the discovery work.

To send her through right now,

in generality, is not gonna help her.

Listen, we're gonna be able to mentor her,

we're gonna be able to talk to her.

I need that. I need that. You do.

You need people to steer you and tell you the tough truth.

Oh. I'm the last decision?

Yes, sir.

My gut tells me that...

♪♪

You're a great singer. You have so much potential.

Let's take a vote. I'm a yes.

Thank you.

I just think it's a no for now.

What? Are you crazy?

Oh.

I'm the last decision?

Yes, sir.

My gut tells me that...

♪♪

...I'm gonna be a no.

Y'all are crazy!

No ‐‐

I am telling you right now.

See? Are you sure?

Do you really believe in this girl?

Yeah. 100%.

I don't know if you're the next American Idol,

but you deserve a ticket to Hollywood.

Don't make me take my earrings off!

Lionel, final decision?

I'm gonna take my final decision to the final.

Final decision for me, I'm a no.

Okay. That's fine. Thank you.

Thank you. But we'll see you.

Thank you. Can I shake your hand? Please.

Please. Don't slip.

'Cause she's trying to tear up the set. Don't worry about it.

Thank you. Just...run.

Run.

Security.

Don't scream like that ever again.

I don't believe anymore!

Save yourself.

Nope.

♪ You were turning 'round and 'round ♪

♪ You see ♪

Are you really mad?

I just wanted a chance, you know?

But it's cool.

I don't want to cry on camera.

Katy believes in me. She went mental.

They need to get their hearing checked.

Ah. It's okay. Don't worry.

It's all good. Yeah.

See you ‐‐ See you, Kate.

♪ You're running ♪

I think it's a horrible mistake.

♪♪

This is a tough audition.

That's why we brought our resident mentor Bobby Bones

out on the road.

I cannot wait to meet Bobby Bones.

‐My man, Bobby Bones. ‐Bobby.

And as a performer, author, and fellow radio hall‐of‐famer...

Whoo!

...he's got the experience

to help mentor these "Idol" hopefuls along their journey.

This is the beginning.

So you're out on the road with us for the first time.

What do you think their biggest challenge will be,

coming to see the judges right now?

♪ I feel it in my bones ♪ You got it. You got it.

For me, it's a lot of resetting.

"Hey, do the simple things."

Don't forget to breathe, don't forget to smile,

be likeable," because they already know

who they are as artists, for the most part,

so it's going back to the basics again.

My name's Bobby Bones. I know.

He's a huge presence in Nashville.

He's been responsible for breaking female artists,

as well, which I love.

You're good enough. Just be real enough.

What do you think is one character trait

that they look for in an American Idol?

You have to know who you are as an artist.

I think some people are afraid of being different...

Yeah. ...because they see it as a bad thing.

Go into that room and just be you,

and don't try to be like anything you've seen before.

Yeah. It's gonna be awesome. I'm so happy for you.

You're gonna kill it. You're gonna kill it. Thank you.

I'm excited.

What's your name?

Meghan Fitton. Meghan Fitness?

Fitton.

Fitton.

What do you do for work?

I'm a fitness instructor. What?

Fitton fitness?

Yes. "I'm Meghan Fitton,

and I'm fittin' to get you fit at Fitton Fitness."

Stop it.

We have a show to run!

Okay, so why did you try out for "American Idol"?

I love ‐‐ Do you watch it?

Yes. Have since I was a wee child,

but I've always been obsessed with "The Bachelor."

Like, 1 to 10 ‐‐ like 10 obsessed?

Yeah.

♪ Love me, love me ♪

I love "The Bachelor."

I do have my own "Bachelor" podcast.

Hello, everyone. It's Meghan for my "Bachelor" recap.

It's very bootleg.

I think maybe five people listen to it.

That's generous.

Did you like Peter the pilot? Who did you like?

I love Peter the pilot. Yeah.

I'm excited for him, but Ben Higgins is my favorite.

For sure.

♪ Love me, love me ♪

Ben Higgins is dreamy.

Born to be the Bachelor.

♪ I don't care about anything but you ♪

Are you one of those people that has, like, "Bachelor" parties?

That's Lionel.

I support you, Lionel, if that's what you want to do.

Just throw me under the bus, right?

Okay, but why are you so obsessed with it, though?

I just think it's addicting, and there's a happy ending.

Okay. I'm a single chick, you know?

Great. If you could be on one show,

"American Idol" or "The Bachelor,"

which one would you choose?

"American Idol." Right answer.

Great question. Good answer.

Right answer. Okay, great.

Well, you're on it now.

What are you gonna sing for us?

I'm gonna sing "Love Where You're At" by Allen Stone.

Okay. Great choice.

♪ I keep my dirt on the surface so I don't got to dig ♪

♪ The people couldn't make me nervous ♪

♪ Tried to hide from their sins ♪

♪ But I ain't got no reason to cover my tracks ♪

♪ The best part about learning ♪

♪ Is loving where you're at ♪

♪ Oh, love where you're at ♪

♪ You got to love where you're at ♪

♪ I keep your dirt on the surface and love where I'm at ♪

♪ I keep my stains on my collar so that everyone sees ♪

♪ And there ain't no bother spreading rumors about me ♪

♪ So love where you're at ♪

♪ Oh, you got to love where you're at ♪

♪ Keep my dirt on the surface and love where you're at ♪

Alright. Hmm.

"Alright"? What?

That was incredible.

Okay.

I mean, that's, like, rock star, soul...

Some pretty good soul, yeah. ...grit, angst.

It was incredible to me. I mean, you ‐‐

What do you think? I'm thinking that I had to

close my eyes for a minute, open my eyes,

and see where the heck that voice was coming from

because it's raw and wonderful.

Sounds like a dang rock star to me.

It's scary. It's a big deal.

This is, like, a very intense situation to be in.

Katy ‐‐ I want to hear what she says.

Meghan, I love the grit in your voice.

I'm just a little girl

that lives in a 10x10 room in Brooklyn,

and being the next American Idol ‐‐

it seems like such a distant thought.

I think you've got really special moments.

You definitely need to connect them more,

and they need to be a bit smoothed out.

Okay. It's like when you're driving stick

and you, like, stop in the middle...

...and you're like, "O‐O‐On there,"

but you can get to that gear.

Yeah. For sure.

And so I think there is something raw,

and we're always looking for the diamond in the rough.

Yeah. I love it.

Honestly, if I had a rose, I'd give you one. Yeah.

As much as I love "The Bachelor,"

I'm not here to be the next Bachelorette.

I'm here to be the next American Idol,

and I really hope that the judges see that

and send me to Hollywood.

Judges, Meghan, this is the final vote tonight.

Final vote tonight.

I'm gonna say yes.

♪♪

I'm gonna say I'm excited, and yes.

I'm a yes.

Wait.

Actually, I have someone that wants to give you your ticket.

Okay. What?

I watch lots of TV shows on here.

No. What?

What... are you doing to me?

Oh, my God! ♪ Almost paradise ♪

Stop right now.

That's Chris Harrison.

It's Chris Harrison, it's live,

and he has something to say to you.

I'm gonna cry.

Meghan, will you accept this final rose?

Oh, wait, I'm ‐‐ Hold on. That's the wrong show.

Hey, Meghan? Yes?

Welcome to Hollywood.

Thank you! I accept! Oh, my God!

She doesn't care about us at all.

I care about you so much.

This is the best one‐on‐one date ever.

Thank you so much, Chris.

Thank you so much. Ah! There we go!

Yeah, there's your real ticket. Love you guys.

Love you, man. Love you, buddy.

Love you, babe.

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

Congratulations. Nice to meet you, and see you in Hollywood.

Thank you. My mom's gonna freak out. She loves you.

Alright.

Thank you so much!

Alright, darling. Bye‐bye.

♪ Almost paradise ♪

Just a raw singer.

As a loyal Bachelor Nation fan,

Chris Harrison was video‐chatted in...

♪ How could we ask for more? ♪

...said my name out loud,

and said, "Will you take this golden ticket?"

♪ In your eyes ♪

And I accepted it, like any "Bachelor" gal will do.

What's amazing is that Chris Harrison sits at home

with roses, and when you FaceTime him,

he just has them for anybody that calls.

It's unbelievable.

Literally just died.

♪ In your eyes ♪

♪ Paradise ♪

Alright. The talent keeps showing up there, Lion‐el.

Yes, yes.

I think that we've got a couple of stars

and a couple of surprises. Heck, yeah.

♪ Oh ♪

Louis was amazing. He was timeless.

♪ Whoa ♪

Francisco was absolutely God's gift to the show.

Yeah. Yeah.

Him and Louis ‐‐ Oh, my goodness. Oh.

Louis wins. So good.

You are crazy.

I'll bet you $10,000 he beats Louis.

$10,000?

$1,000. No, dinner. Dinner.

♪♪

And you pay for it or I pay for it.

Right.

I'm excited to see what's next.

♪♪

I'm Samantha, I'm 20 years old, and I'm from Harlem, New York.

♪♪

I go by Just Sam.

I think I'm gonna use that as my stage name forever.

It's easy, it's simple, you can't mess it up,

unless you forget the "Just."

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm gonna sing a song for you guys.

If you like what you hear,

please feel free to give whatever you can.

Thank you.

I sing on the subway.

I started doing that in middle school.

When I realized how much money I could make...

...I was like, "Yeah, this is for me."

♪♪

The underground world is beautiful.

There's so many different talents under there.

Hey!

I love what I do. It pays my bills, rent.

It pays for me to eat.

♪♪

I live with my grandmother

in an apartment in Frederick Douglass Projects.

♪ No, na, no, na, no, na, no ♪

♪ No, na, no, na, no, na, no ♪

Gonna get you some water.

You be talking to them, right? You talk to your plants?

You're gonna be a star.

My grandmother had to adopt my sister and I.

My mother wasn't there for me growing up,

and neither was my father.

My grandmother ‐‐ she made sure we were fed,

she made sure we had a roof over our head,

she made sure that we had clothes on our back.

♪ How does it feel when it's quiet and calm? ♪

♪ When it's time to move on? ♪

I'm very proud,

and I believe with all my heart that she's going to make it.

I really am grateful

that you never gave up on me,

because you could have at any time in my life.

I just want to give her back everything that she gave me.

I do.

I love you.

I feel like this opportunity...um...

♪♪

Um...I'm sorry.

♪ Solid ground ♪

I'm...

It's gonna change my life.

♪ Solid ground ♪

I'm gonna sing like I've never sang before.

♪ Solid ground ♪

How are you? Hi!

Hello, somebody. Who are you, somebody?

Hi. I'm Samantha Diaz. You can call me Just Sam.

Alright. Alright.

Just Sam, then. And how young are you?

I'm 20 years young.

Tell me about growing up. What was that like?

Uh, well, I was adopted by my grandmother,

and I grew up in the projects.

Life was hard, but I got through 100% of my worst days.

And you've started letting the light in.

Amen. And it looks good on you.

Thank you. Thank you.

And so what are you gonna share with us, Just Sam?

Um, I'm gonna sing "You Say" by Lauren Daigle.

Great. So, yeah.

Okay. Alright.

♪ I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough ♪

Why? We're gonna do this. I'm sorry.

You're alright. You're alright.

You want to start again?

Please. You can.

Start again. Thank you.

Okay. Okay.

♪ Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up ♪

♪♪

♪ Am I ‐‐ ♪ I'm so sorry.

That's alright. That's alright.

That's alright. It's alright. That's alright.

I'm ready. I have to.

Take your time. Take your time. Come here. Come here.

Yeah. Come here.

Here. Come here.

Aww. Come here. Come here.

I'm sorry. No, no, no. No, you need ‐‐

You're okay. Listen.

We feel that you're gonna be amazing.

Like, we can tell you're gonna be amazing.

Yeah. This feels like a dream.

No, this is the good dream.

You got this. Don't worry. You got this.

No worries. We believe in you.

Alright. Give it to us, alright?

Okay.

And kill it.

Sam...you are safe.

Okay.

So you sing us a little bit of one other

and you bring it home, okay?

Is it alright if I do the train thing

that I do before I sing on the trains?

'Cause that makes me comfortable.

Yeah. Whatever you need to do to get you there.

Whatever it takes. Let's go, Sam.

Thank you.

So I get on the train and I get in the car,

and I'm like, "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm gonna sing a quick song for you guys.

If you like what you hear,

please feel free to give whatever you can.

Thank you."

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ I'll rise like the day ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ I'll rise unafraid ♪

♪ I'll rise up ♪

♪ And I'll do it a thousand times again ♪

♪ 'Cause all we need ♪

♪ All we need is hope ♪

♪ And for that, we have each other ♪

♪ And for that, we have each other ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ We will rise ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ We'll rise ♪

♪ For you ♪

♪ It's all for you ♪

♪ Yes, I'll do it for you ♪

♪ Yes ♪

Yes.

Thank you.

This is really, really important

what you have, in my opinion,

and a lot of people come in here,

and they haven't lived the struggles you have.

You have those qualities in your voice to tell stories,

and you can sing really beautifully, too.

Thank you. That means so much.

Just Sam, I love your sweet personality.

You do have a really good voice.

Thank you.

Remember where you came from and sing to where you want to go.

Okay. Yeah. Okay?

Thank you. Yeah.

Sam, can I ask you a question?

Yeah. Of course.

In your whole life... Mm‐hmm?

...have you ever felt safe?

I feel safe when my grandma hugs me.

I'm grateful, 'cause, like ‐‐ I'm sorry.

I'm a crybaby.

Okay. Um...

It's just ‐‐ I'm not used to people caring

without needing or, like, just pretending to care.

The reason I asked that question

is because I want you to feel safe.

Uncle Luke.

Auntie Katy.

Papa Richie. Okay? Thank you.

And I want you to understand...

...we got you. Okay?

♪ You're not what I was looking for ♪ Yes.

And I want you to...

rely on us to coach you through this.

And forget about winning.

Okay. You've already won.

Okay? Yes.

I'm so grateful that you guys even listened to me.

I'm so grateful that God put you in front of us, okay?

Can I pray with you guys? Is that okay? Please.

Sure. Come on. Whatever you want to do.

This prayer that I want to do with you guys. Come here.

So repeat after me. Heavenly Father...

Heavenly Father...

...Lord, make my life brand‐new, right here, right now...

...Lord, make my life brand‐new, right here, right now...

...with my friends... ...with my friends...

...and my new fam. ...and my new fam.

Amen. Amen.

Can we go jump in the Potomac?

We've been saved again!

We're getting baptized. Alright.

Thank you, Jesus. Now, Sam, we want to say something.

You ready for this, guys?

♪ So don't look back ♪

♪ Let me up again ♪

♪♪

I got the golden ticket. I'm going to Hollywood.

I'm gonna make my grandma proud.

I still feel like I'm dreaming.

This is ‐‐ This isn't a dream. This isn't a dream. Hold on.

It's not a dream.

♪ We are, we are, we are forever ♪

Next time, the new season of "Idol" continues...

Fantastic. Perfect.

...with talent that's too much for our judges to handle.

Ah! Getting "Idol" gold is tougher...

You want to sing for your life?

...and more touching... That was moving.

...than ever before.

I wanted this since I was 6 years old.

Do you guys smell gas?

And don't miss the most dramatic event...

Everyone, get up as quickly as possible.

Wow. You can smell it, right?

...in "Idol" history.