‘American Idol’ Platinum Ticket Winners Are ‘California Dreamin’ Ahead of ‘Hollywood Week’
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The grueling gauntlet that is American Idol‘s “Hollywood Week” is imminent: A strenuous, ruthless vocal boot camp that immediately follows the euphoria of getting a golden ticket and making it out of auditions.
That’s what’s in store for most contestants, but not all. Three somewhat lucky — but mostly supremely talented — singers were given coveted platinum tickets, giving them a pass through the first round of “Hollywood Week.” But so they’re keeping those vocal cords nice and warm, American Idol enlisted platinum ticket recipients Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, and Odell Bunton Jr. for a special performance of the Mamas and the Papas classic, “California Dreamin’.”
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The trio’s full powerhouse performance of the song premieres today exclusively on Rolling Stone. Backed by a stripped-down, vocal-first arrangement, Carter, Gagnon, and Bunton Jr. each deliver their own sections with their distinct styles before combining for a chill-inducing final blast of harmony.
A portion of the “platinum ticket performance” will open the first of American Idol’s two “Hollywood Week” episodes, airing Sunday, March 31. Part two will air on Monday, April 1.
“Hollywood Week” will be slightly different on American Idol this year, with the introduction of the “Idol Arena” on the March 31 episode. All 143 will gather in the same space and get one chance to sing for judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, who will then make their decisions on the spot, narrowing the talent pool down to just 56 people (the biggest cut in Idol history). The April 1 “Showstopper/Final Judgement” episode will see a further narrowing down to the Top 24 singers, whose fate going forward will be decided by Idol voters.
One American Idol contestant recently gave Rolling Stone a preview of what’s in store for “Hollywood Week,” Emmy Russell, the 25-year-old musician and granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn. “There’s a lot of conquering,” she said. “I’m a nervous human being, so getting on there is anxious, fighting through it. I did sing a very personal song called ‘Like That’ on guitar. I was really nervous playing that one, but I’m trying to own it a little bit more. You’ll just see a slow incline. I’ll be getting a little stronger.”
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