The more things change, the more they stay the same, right?
The old saying certainly applies toAmerican Idol’s Hollywood Week in season 18.
Stars will still be made, dreams will still be crushed, and the world spins madly on.
Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC
It’s a party.
Watching this from the audience would make me nervous.
BothJulia GarganoandArthur Gunnmake the first round cut.
Is that choice what did her in?
He’s confident and his voice soars.
And rounding out that group is Katy Perry’s appointed “country Post Malone,” Dillon James.
And he is!Dillion James,Francisco Martin, andJonny Westall make it through to the next round.
Pop
Unsurprisingly, this is the biggest group of the night.
He’s totally phoning this in, but is surely too good to let go this early.
with Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold.”
Just, like, more Bilaal hey!
Bilaal Avaz,Shannon Gibbons, andLauren Spencer-Smithall proceed, butKay Genysegets the ice-cold brush off.
He’s back, never removing his overcoat, puzzlingly, with a new outlook on things.
Lionel really did a number on him!
R&B
This is a smaller group, but it’s loaded with frontrunners.
Will this season come down to the battle of the teens?
But Makayla has nothing to fear; she’s even better than I remember.
The R&B group is bringing its A+ game tonight.
Just Sam was good in her audition, but definitely nervous.
All of that is gone on the Hollywood Stage.
Just Sam is a real contender.
She’s already a winner.
Cyniah Elise,Makayla Phillips, andJust Sameasily make it through to the next round.
I suspect we’ll be seeing those three a lot.
They are: Lauren Mascitti, the Nashville pro (she’s engaged to Shawn Kemp, remember?
Soul
This!
Some of my favorite auditioners show up in this group.
It’s emotional and technically great, and it earns her a standing ovation from the judges.
And so goes the Genre Challenge round of Hollywood Week.
Who knows what tricks and treats the next few rounds have in store?
As long as it doesn’t involve anymore talk of Luke Bryan’s manscaping issues, I am ready.
