American Idol Auditions News

Last night's third round of semifinal auditions was highlighted by a number of impressive performance.

None was more powerful, however, than Lil Rounds' rendition of Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You." Simon Cowell said it was the best audition of the season so far... and we agree!

Take a look and judge for yourself:

To recap the rest of the night:

• Von Smith sang  “You’re All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gay and was compared to Clay Aiken. By Simon, no less!

• The judges told Taylor Vaifanua she has little personality, but a great voice on “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys.

• The panel agreed: Alex Wagner-Trugman's “I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” was fun to watch, not enjoyable to listen to.

• Bad song choice, Arianna Afsar. The judges didn't approve of “The Winner Takes it All” by Abba.

• Ju’Not Joyner showed impressive range on “Hey There Delilah” by The Plain White Ts. But he's overmatched by fellow competitors.

• Kristen McNamara may have chosen a boring song - “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman - but everyone agreed she had major vocal chops.

• Nate Marshall had fun, his admitted goal with his performance, singing “I Would Do Anything for Love” by Meatloaf. But fun won't be enough to get him through to the finals.

• Felicia Barton is a definite sleeper. We loved her rendition of “No One” by Alicia Keys.

• How can you not root for Scott MacIntyre? The legally blind singer oozed emotion during “Mandolin Rain” by Bruce Hornsby.

• Kendall Beard came through for the show's country fans. Solid performance of “This One’s for the Girls” by Martina McBride.

• Jorge Nunez sang “Don’t Let the Sun go Down on Me” by Elton John... and was reduced to tears after universal approval from the judges.

American Idol fans learn the official list of final 36 contestants tonight.

We'd be shocked if the following names were not on there, however, as these singers blew us away last night...

Adam Lambert goes first on the night. People say he's too theatrical, but we think he's fun and different. Sings "Believe" by Cher.

Danny Gokey goes with the cheesiest song ever written, Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." Paula pretty much throws her underwear on stage. (Ann Marie Boskovich also did a good job on this song later in the night.)

Scott MacIntyre is a blind guy on a piano. Gets us everytime. Great job.

Kristen McNamara makes a bold choice and goes with a Kelly Clarkson song. Always a dangerous move. But this beauty knocks it out of the park.

Anoop Desai totally rocks "My Prerogative." Not even Bobby Brown looked this cool singing it.

Isn't American Idol supposed to focus on actual talent once it moves to Hollywood?

Instead, the show teamed up contestants in various groups last night, as the drama was fun for a minute or two -- but then Katrina Darrell's selfishisness wore old quickly, as did the pure insanity of Tatiana Del Toro and Nathanial Marshall.

With that in mind, here are a few photos of contestants that actually relied on vocal talent to garner attention.

They include: Jasmine Murray, Danny Gokey and others...

Click on the photos above for larger images of these American Idol hopefuls.

On last night's first evening of American Idol auditions in Hollywood, the field was cut down to 104.

There's still a ways to go before we meet the final 36. But a trio of contestants that stood out last night seem like locks to advance at least that far:

1. Lil Rounds received a rousing ovation following her rendition of "I Will Always Love You."
2. Jorge Nunez was fashionable in his scarf, and impressive with his version of "Angel."
3. Danny Gokey showed more talent on "Kiss From a Rose" than he did during his original audition.

Click on the photos of each of these contestants, and then vote in our poll below:

Which of these American Idol contestants has the most potential?

A few more names were added to the list of contestants that have advanced to Hollywood.

The next round of auditions begin next week, and here's who will be involved in them, following last night's try outs in New York and San Juan:

• Jackie Tohn: 27-year old actress. Has appeared on The Sopranos. She sings "I'm Yours," but receives Hollywood ticket for improved second song, "I'll Do It All."

• Jorge Nunez (pictured): 20-year old. Auditioned in San Juan with"My Way" in Spanish, and "What a Wonderful World" in English. Randy Jackson calls him "brilliant."

• Monique Garcia Torres: Only 16-year old. Judges believe her song choice is too mature, as went she with"You Can't Hurry Love" and "I Turn To You." Still, off to Hollywood!

• Patricia Lewis Roman: Simon hates song choice of this 20-year old. But is forgotten when she wows judge with a Spanish song. Large family goes wild when she walks out with golden ticket.

Who was your favorite from last night?

It was an evening of impressive singing and even more impressive personal stories last night on American Idol.

Here's a rundown of the four contestants that stood out the most, all of whom are off to Hollywood:

• Meghan Corkrey: 23-year old, a font designer from Sandy, Utah. Recently divorced, single mother. Sang "Can't Help Lovin' That Man."

• Rose Flack: Pictured, Most heart-breaking and/or inspiring story so far. Both parents died by the time she was 15; lives with foster family. 17-year old sang " I Feel the Earth Move."

• David Osmond: Son of Alan Osmond, former member of The Osmond Brothers. This 28-year old suffers from multiple sclerosis.

• Taylor Vaifanua: 16-year old high school student. Compared to Jordin Sparks by Randy Jackson. Sang "Joyful, Joyful" for her audition.

A total of 16 contestants advanced to Hollywood on last night's American Idol auditions, located in Jacksonville.

We've highlighted four below, though the final two listed definitely made the best impression our staff. What did you think?

Julissa Veloz: 19 years old, beauty pageant contestant. Sang "If I Don't Have You" by Whitney Houston.

Jasmine Murray: 16-year old high school student, attended the audition with mother and three sisters. Sang "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie.

T.K. Hash: 23-years old, failed to make it past first round on season seven. Sang "Imagine" by John Lennon.

Anne Marie Boskovich: 22-year old, pictured below, sang God Bless America prior to 2003 NBA All-Star Game. Wowed judges with rendition of "Bubbly" by Colbie Callait.

A quartet of hopefuls stood out on last night's American Idol.

Here's a rundown of who impressed our staff the most in Louisville:

• Joanna Pacitti: Signed to Geffen Records in 2006, released a failed album, released from label in 2007. Sang “We Belong” by Pat Benetar. Grew emotional when judges voted her through to the next round.

• Brent Keith Smith: From Blanchester, OH. Sang “Can’t Get Enough” by Bad Company. Simon eventually relented and all four judges approved him for Hollywood.

• Felicia Barton: Sang "Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. Hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

• Leneshe Young: Grew up in and out of homeless shelters. An 18-year old from Cincinnati. Sang an original song and grew tremendous praise from all judges, even Simon and Kara. Watch audition clip below.

Sorry, San Francisco.

We love your city, but we weren't impressed by your American Idol hopefuls last night. Here's a rundown of the aspiring singers that were approved for Hollywood:

Tatiana Del Toro: A 22-year old singer/actress from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Belted out “Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin. This look kept on interrupting Simon by breaking into song, which must have entertained the other three judges. They gave her a golden ticket.

Kai Kalama: 26, pictured. A musician from San Clemente, CA that sang “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” by the Platters. Vocal talent not nearly as impressive as his personal story: he has given up his dreams to take care of his sick mother.

Jesus Valenzula: 29 years old, fleet manager from North Highlands, CA. Chose “Nice and Slow” by Usher. Simon instantly said no, but he was overruled by the other three judges again. It's almost like they do that just to have fun.

John Twiford: Has potential. 27, a music teacher from Sherman Oaks, CA. Sang “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder.

Allison Iraheta: Only 16 years old, a high school student from Los Angeles, CA. sang “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. Didn't see much of her.

Raquel Houghton: Ex-girlfriend of comedian Dane Cook. A waitress/bartender from Los Angeles who sang “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield.

Adam Lambert: Sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Looks like Pete Wentz on Halloween. 26 years old, stage actor from Hollywood, CA.

After two hours worth of American Idol auditions, we don't think we've seen the next Daughtry or Carrie Underwood.

Still, here are the contestants that impressed us the most last night:

• Emily Wynne-Hughes: From Los Angeles, sang “Barracuda” by Heart
• Stevie Wright: From Phelen, CA, sang “At Last” by Etta James
• Katrina Darrell: From Chino Hills, CA, sang “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey
• Deanna Brown: From Louisville KY, sang “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
• Alex Wagner Thugman: From Studio City, CA, sang “Baby Come to Me” by James Ingram
• Arianna Afsar: From San Diego, CA, sang “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Bailey Rae

Click on the images below for a series of audition pics from last night's American Idol season premiere: