American Idol: Hollywood Week kicks off with a number of show alums return as mentors

The auditions are over and Hollywood Week is just beginning on Sunday night’s new episode of American Idol.

A slew of performers were sent through the the Duets section of Hollywood Week, as many more were sent home as their Idol journeys come to an end.

The debut episode of Hollywood Week also brought back a number of notable Idol Alums as mentors.

Clay Aiken, Jordin Sparks, Phillip Phillips, David Archuleta and Justin Guarini were among the mentors who helped the contestants come into their own.

Katy Perry introduced a new twist as well, as the remaining contestants got to pick their own partners for the Duets portion of the competition. 

The first performer of the night was Nutsa, who performed a powerful rendition of Celine Dion’s I Surrender, which earned a standing ovation from the judges and crowd in Hollywood.

‘I have chills everywhere,’ Luke Bryan said, as Katy Perry said they have, ‘crazy talent’ this year.

Colin Stough was up next, who said in a video package that he’s never been on a stage before.

‘I want to make it through more than I’ve wanted anything in my life, probably,’ Stough said, telling the judges he was singing Stone by Whiskey Myers.

The 18-year-old HVAC technician from Avery, Mississippi impressed all of the judges with his raspy rendition, with Richie leaning over to Perry and Bryan and saying, ‘I love him.’

‘I hope I did more than enough to make it to the next round. But confidence–man, that’s why I chose the category. I lack it a lot,’ Stough said after the performance.

Mother of three Sara Beth was up next, revealing, ‘There’s a lot of really amazing singers. This is all kind of overwhelming for someone like me. So I haven’t ever really done any music stuff.’

It was revealed that one of the mentors this season is American Idol Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, who told the singer, ‘You look exactly like I dreamed you would.’ 

‘There’s a pressure, I think, that comes when you feel like this is the make-or-break moment for you. Some contestants, I think, have gotten too much in their heads,’ Aiken said.

He told Sara, ‘I watched your auditions. You sang two songs. Infectiously lovely. I don’t know who just sang in front of me. I want the person who I saw audition. When I was on the show, I really didn’t have confidence.’

‘But you can fake it. And if you fake it one time, you’ll have it. It worked for me,’ he told her.

Sara added, ‘I don’t really even know what show business is. And then, like, I came here, and, like, it’s just, like, a little taste of it. And I’m like, whoo! I’ve been a mom since I was 18. You know, I’ve been married since I was 18. And I don’t feel like I fit, like, the mold, so I’m trying to figure this all out. I don’t know.’

Aiken added, ‘If that nerves thing is because you’re worried that you’re gonna mess up, then you got to get rid of it because they are gonna love you.’

Sara added, ‘I don’t want to ruin the moment. I don’t think I realized quite how hard it would to be away from my kids. They’re all still really young. Feel like I’m gonna try my best ’cause I’m here and so that’s what I should do. There’s a lot of guilt that comes when you leave your kids to do something, like, completely selfish. I’m just gonna try to keep my head on straight.’

The 25-year-old mother of three from Roseville, California sang Roxanne by The Police, which impressed the judges and the crowd, though she revealed quite the shocking announcement after her song.

‘This opportunity is really rad, but this is actually gonna be my last performance cause I’m– my heart’s at home, so I’m gonna get home to my babies. They kind of need me. So thank you. Thanks,’ Sara said before awkwardly rushing off the stage, leaving the judges quite confused.

‘What just happened? She’s gonna leave?’ Lionel Richie asked, though Katy Perry insisted, ‘No, we’re gonna figure this out.’

‘It went a lot better than I thought it would, but I’m gonna head home to get home to my babies,’ Sara said, as Katy told them to bring her in.

Perry said, ‘Life is scary’ and it’s, ‘easier to walk away than to be rejected,’ but she added that she loses out on her ‘full potential.’

‘Remember, self-love is just as big as motherly love. Don’t leave the competition,’ Perry said, as Sara thanked her, later telling a producer she doesn’t think she’d win anyway so she might as well go home.

The judges brought out the first group of singers, as Bryan said whatever happens this isn’t the end of the line for any of them, telling them they – Nutsa, Sara Beth, Colin Stough and others – were all moving on to the next round.

Colin said he thought his heart was going to fall on to the ground, while Katy told Sara Beth to come back.

‘You got a yes, and you might get another yes in the future. Do not give up,’ Perry told her.

Sara said she’s really ‘humbled and grateful’ but she wishes her kids were a little bit older and she still kind of wants to just go home, as she ultimately leaves the show.

Host Ryan Seacrest reveals the singers were each asked to pick one of several different categories for their performance.

Mary Beth Bird chose Stage Presence, adding, ‘The element of stage presence that I’m trying to focus on is to really tug at the judges’ hearts. My goal is to show the judges that I do have an emotional, vulnerable side.’

The 21-year-old radio host from Armorel, Arkansas sung a soulful version of Zach Bryan’s Something in the Orange for her performance, which impressed the judges.

‘I really just was in the moment with that song. And that’s why it really resonated with me,’ the singer said backstage.

Zachariah Smith was up next, with the 19-year-old burger cook from Amory, Mississippi, who chose Cold as Ice by Foreigner as his song.

‘My wife, she’s my backbone. She’s what keeps me running. When I met her, she had three kids from a previous marriage. And to make the decision to take on three kids at a young age, I knew that was gonna be a very big step. The oldest is ten years old. And I think what shocks most people is that I’m 19. But my kids are my world,’ he said.

The singer added, ‘I decided to focus on confidence. I always grew up singing in church. This is a whole new stage. It’s a whole new ball game.’

Mentor Clay Aiken added, ‘We know you’re good. Now just be you. Just sing it with that killer voice, your way.’ 

The singer added, ‘I loved talking to Clay. He was one of my mom’s favorites from past Idols. I think he saw that I had more in me.’

He told the crowd, ‘My name is Zachariah Smith. I’m 19 years old, and I really want to show my kids that when you put your best foot forward, you can actually make your dreams come true,’ before breaking into the song.

Singer Hannah Nicolaisen was the first to meet with another mentor, American Idol finalist Caitie Turner, to focus on her songwriting. 

‘Catie Turner is very quirky and just this kind of wild energy. And so getting to talk with her, I feel really excited because she can help me grow into the artist that I hope to be,’ Hannah said.

Hannah said, ‘I don’t have a lot of experience but so looking forward to sharing a song that I wrote.’

Caitie was very impressed, adding, ‘That was incredible. Your tone, your lyrics, the structure of the song. This comes naturally for you. I’m a big fan. I’m freaking out. 

When Hannah asked about putting herself out there, Caitie said, ‘Don’t put that pressure on yourself. When I performed my own originals, I was scared. But, you know, if I go home singing an original, I know I did it my way. Go on your own terms.

The 24-year-old recruiter from Houston, Texas sang her original song for the judges, as they revealed Zachariah, Hannah and Mary Beth were all moving through, as Zachariah joked he, ‘might be out of the burger business.’

The next singer was We Ani, who also sang an original song for the judges dubbed Good For, even asking the judges and the crowd to sing along.

The 23-year-old singer from Harlem revealed that she chose to focus on stage presence for this round, because it’s that, ‘it factor’ that people are looking for. 

Her performance had the audience and the judges all singing and clapping along, getting a standing ovation.

‘That was so amazing,’ the singer added back stage. ‘That was worth everything,’ she said, moved to tears.

Katy Perry wondered if they’re making the platinum ticket winners nervous, who watched on from the balcony above the stage.

Olivia Soli, a 20-year-old college student from Los Angeles chose to focus on Stage Presence as well, singing Whitney Houston’s How Will I Know. 

17-year-old Tyson Venegas from Houston added, ‘I’m kind of nervous because since there is a lot of talent, I do need to step up. We all need to step up our game.’

Host Ryan Seacrest asked another platinum ticket winner, 27-year-old Cam Amen, how he was feeling, and he admitted he has, ‘a lot of nerves’ because there, ‘the talent is just unbelievable.’

26-year-old retail associate Malik Heard from Dallas was up next, singing Bout to Lose My Mind by Lorenzo, while 21-year-old Elijah McCormick added, ‘It’s so much talent. I mean, everybody’s crazy talented in their own way. It’s kind of nice ’cause we don’t have to worry about being eliminated.’

21-year-old Algonquin, Illinois native Kayera sang a soulful rendition of Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun, which earned another standing ovation.

The fourth platinum ticket winner, 15-year-old high school student Kaylin Hedges added, ‘It’s been really, like, exciting to, like, watch everybody and stuff. So, like, you just kind of get to, like, see, like, what’s been working and what hasn’t been working.’

Lyric Medeiros, a 21-year-old from Honolulu also chose to focus on stage presence this week, adding she thought the judges will be ‘shocked’ by her song choice – They Just Keep Moving The Line from the TV series Smash.

The judges were in fact surprised, though Perry added, ‘I thought we smacked all of that out of her,’ as they joked, ‘She did not get the memo.’

The judges told We, Kayera, Malik and Olivia they were all moving on to the next round, though they sent Lyric home.

‘I got a no, but I’m so grateful for this experience. Mahalo, American Idol,’ Lyric said before leaving.

16-year-old Idaho native Paige Anne and 17-year-old Maddie Grace both chose to work on their confidence with mentor Clay Aiken, with Maddie revealing her mom auditioned for Idol the same year Clay did.

Paige met with mentor David Archuleta, who she said she’d been a fan of since she was little.

Archuleta revealed, ‘I was here in 2008. I was still in high school, like a lot of these contestants are. It felt like it was ironic that I’m helping mentor with confidence because that’s, like, the thing that I had an issue with.’

He told Paige, ‘It’s easy to be like, what are the judges thinking of me? Like, am I doing a good job? I want you to focus on all the hard work that it took for you to be here. If you connect to that emotion, you’ll be able to deliver something more impactful.’

Paige sang Jimmie Allen’s Make Me Want To, which impressed the judges as well.

16-year-old McKayla Stacy was up next, revealing her father Phil Stacey made it to the Top Six back in 2006, with her mentor Jordin Sparks, who won Idol the year her dad competed, as Jordin and Phil briefly reunited.

McKayla revealed she’s focusing on stage presence, as Jordin tells her not to be afraid to ‘close your eyes and feel it.’

She added that her connection to Idol is great but it adds a lot of pressure, as the Wichita, Kansas native sang Warrior by Demi Lovato, as her dad watched from the crowd.

Perry said there was, ‘a lot of improvement’ while her dad said it was, ‘tough’ because there are some, ‘incredibly talented people’ this year.  

16-year-old Haven Madison from Clarksville, Tennessee was up next, who chose to focus on songwriting, singing an original song for the judges.

She met with her mentor, Idol winner Phillip Phillips, who said, ‘Being back for songwriting is really cool. I was writing songs when I was on the show. And I feel like “Idol” is trying to find more artists instead of just incredible singers.’

He asked what inspires her for songwriting and she said, ‘I think it’s kind of just how I process my emotions.’

She added, ‘My audition song, “Fifteen,” I wrote it on the back of my hand, I think, in one of my classes sophomore year.’

‘My song for performance round is called “Still Need You.” It’s about my brother. He was battling depression and was kind of having some suicidal thoughts,’ she said.

‘I didn’t really have anybody. I didn’t–I convinced myself I didn’t have anybody to talk to, so I talked to my piano,’ she said.

Phillips added, ‘I think writing, you know, it is kind of our form of therapy, in a way.

‘I wrote this song as kind of my last hope of convincing him to stick around. And now he’s ok. He’s healing,’ she said.

Phillips was incredibly impressed, adding, ‘Lyrics, awesome. Melodies, your voice– just stay yourself.’

She facetimed with her brother, who said, ‘Like, I remember when you first showed me that song. Remember in the car? I did not actually say anything. I just cried.’

‘You know, I’m really proud of you. And I think you got this,’ her brother added, before she sang for the judges, who all gave her a standing ovation.

‘I sat at the piano as a broken teenager, not knowing what the heck was gonna happen to my family and my life. And to sing it on a stage in front of three idols, it was just really surreal,’ she said backstage.

Luke Bryan boasted she was a, ‘Massive star,’ while her mom said how proud she was of her.

The judges sent Maddie and McKayla home, while Paige Anne and Haven moved on to the next round.

Paige added, ‘I do think David Archuleta’s advice helped me get past this round. And I wish I could have a mentor for all the rounds.’

Haven facetimed her brother and told him she was moving through, which he said was, ‘Unbelievable.’

McKayla’s father said, ‘I’m super proud of her. I think she’s amazing. I introduced her to America on American Idol. And so to me, this is a great way to come back and say I’m super proud of you.’

21-year-old daycare worker Matt Wilson said this is the longest he’s been away from his family and he’s homesick but he’s doing this all for them.

He sang Can You Stand the Rain by New Edition, working with mentor Jordin Sparks, adding he thinks his stage presence is in a better place.

‘She gave me some incredible tips,’ he added, as Jordin tells him to think about his wife on stage.

He added backstage, ‘I would love to tell my wife that I got to the next round.’

Next up was 25-year-old musician Oliver Steele from Mount Julien, Tennessee, who worked on songwriting with Phillip Phillips.

He sang Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton for the judges, which earned a standing ovation by all three judges.

‘I don’t remember the last time I played in front of people cheering for me like that. So it was really fun. It was really a– whoo, I’m still kind of coming down from it,’ Oliver said.

Katy told Matt, Oliver and two other singers that they were moving through to the next round.

22-year-old Fire auditioned twice, once in New Orleans, with Katy Perry giving her a second chance at the Nashville auditions, where she made it through to Hollywood.

She chose to work on confidence with mentor Clay Aiken, who told her it was, ‘a lot of looking at the ground.’

She told him, ‘I just don’t want to look at my face,’ as he asked, ‘Why not?’

‘I don’t know. Sometimes I just, you know, get kind of, like, insecure and stuff, so…’ she said, as he added,  ‘You are here with, like, what, 150 people out of the whole country? You’re not here because you’re not good enough to do it. ‘

She added, ‘I feel like I always expect the worst. Like, I’ve been through so much in my life. And I feel like… The world is against me a lot of times.’

Aiken told her, ‘For your audition here, you need to just think about the trajectory of your life. The first part, the verse, is the vulnerable stuff. It’s the stuff that you’ve gone through, which is behind you. The chorus is about now. ‘

When she took the stage, Bryan mentioned, ‘She is not comfortable standing up there.’

She sang You Say by Lauren Daigle, impressing the judges, saying backstage, ‘You know, I felt so confident, and I felt like I left everything on there. And this opportunity… Thank you, thank you. Could just change my life for the best. And I would love to provide the best life that I can for my daughter.’

Next up was another mother, 28-year-old Lucy Love from Holly Grove, Arkansas, who chose to focus on stage presence with mentor Jordin Sparks.

‘Jordin really helped me with making sure that I’m delivering, you know, how they suggested,’ Lucy said.

Lucy told Jordin she’s working on, ‘ending a marriage’ as they shared a hug together. 

‘Don’t be afraid of what you’re going through. Use it, because it’s gonna propel you forward. This is an opportunity to live a dream,’ Jordin told her.

She sang Make You Feel My Love by Adele, which thoroughly impressed the judges, who gave her a standing ovation.

Perry said, ‘I just want to say, that was–that was what we call spectacular,’ with both Lucy and Fire making it through to the next round.

Lionel Richie spoke about performing under pressure, as we see 20-year-old Brayden Phillips who had trouble just saying what he chose to focus on this week – confidence.

The 20-year-old from Lancaster, South Carolina sung Giving You Up by Kameron Marlowe.

2022 Idol winner Noah Thompson returned as a mentor, with one of his mentees, 21-year-old Conway, South Carolina hair stylist Mariah Faith choosing to work on stage presence.

She sang Cole Swindell’s Love You Too Late, which impressed the judges.

Trey Louis, a mattress salesman from Santa Fe, picked stage presence, working with Idol runner-up Justin Guarini.

He sang Vienna by Billy Joel, adding he picked stage presence because this was the first time on a stage that big.

His performance impressed the judges, with Richie saying, ‘He’s a comfortable person to watch.’

The judges sent Mariah and Trey on to the next round, though they sent Brayden home.

Emma Busse chose to work on her confidence, who got a ‘Broadway exorcism’ from Katy Perry during her audition.

The 20-year-old from Vancouver said she has, ‘worked quite hard’ and hoped Katy could see the change.

She sang My Mind by Yebba, earning a standing ovation from the crowd, with the judges moving her on to the next round.

22-year-old Durham, North Carolina fast food worker Ashley Tankard sang Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, though she broke down backstage.

‘I don’t think my vocals were how I expected them to be. I really want to make it through,’ she said through tears.

21-year-old Beckley, West Virginia cashier Kamron Lawson slipped up during his song and walked off stage awkwardly, as Katy Perry said part of confidence is con, meaning you have to ‘con yourself’ into being confident.

20-year-old Douglasville, Georgia cashier Megan Danielle wanted to work on her confidence so she, ‘make myself believe I’m good enough to be here.’

She sang Up to the Mountain by Patty Griffin, getting a standing ovation from the judges.

‘I just felt my paw-paw through everything. And, um, I felt God speaking to me. And, um, I just tried to do my best,’ Megan said.

Megan was sent through, but Ashley and Kamron were sent home, though Katy said to Ashley this was not her, ‘last stop.’

Host Seacrest also revealed Ophrah Kablan, Danny Epp, Owen Eckhardt and Keelin were sent home, though Keelin joked she was still going to, ‘take over the world.’

21-year-old San Antonio, Texas native Dawson Wayne sang one of his original songs called Sour Skies, which impressed the judges.

21-year-old Austin, Texas native Kya Monee sang And I Am Telling You by Jennifer Hudson, which brought the judges to their feet.

‘I felt completely free up there. I felt like I didn’t have any problems. I felt like I put all of my emotions on the stage,’ Kya said.

The last performer was 18-year-old Iam Tongi, whose father passed away a few months before his audition and who introduced him to music.

He took the stage to sing I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt, performing on a guitar that his father bought him.

He worked with mentor Clay Aiken, who said he has a beautiful voice, but he has problem keeping his eyes open while singing.

‘You’ve got such a powerful voice. But, you know, if you need to look at somebody’s forehead– just let them know that you know they’re there,’ Clay said.

Lionel Richie said his performance was ‘magic’ and Luke Bryan said he was, ‘the real deal and Luke Bryan said he was a, ‘top 10.’

The judges sent Kya, Iam and Dawson through to the next round, before addressing all of those who moved through.

‘Well, congratulations, you guys, on actually surviving the performance challenge. Now, don’t get quite relaxed just yet because the fun has just begun,’ Lionel said. 

‘We’re about to enter into the duet portion of Hollywood Week,’ Bryan added.

Perry revealed, ‘I want you guys to look around the room because it’s your decision to pick your duet partner this time.’

She said, ‘It’s the Hunger Games but American Idol’ as the contestants all scrambled to find their duet partners as the episode comes to an end. 

American Idol returns with Part 2 of Hollywood Week with Duets on Monday, April 3 on ABC.