‘American Idol’ Final Auditions: And the Last Golden Ticket Goes to…

It remains to be seen if 20-year-old troubadour Manny Torres, one of 190 singers headed to Hollywood next Wednesday, even survives day one of Hollywood Week. But whatever happens, he has already forever secured his place in the American Idol history books. Why? Because this Thursday, on the very last Idol auditions episode ever, Manny received the very last golden ticket. (Ironically, he did it by performing Maroon 5’s “This Love,” a song originally sung by Adam Levine – who of course stars on The Voice, a rival show that’ll no doubt keep going long after Idol is permanently off the air. But I digress.)

So, yeah. Wow. The last ticket to Hollywood, dawg. I hope Manny frames that thing. Or donates it to the Smithsonian someday. For those of us who’ve been watching this show since 2002, when Kelly Clarkson tried out wearing some sort of denim-on-denim tube top/skort combo, the final Idol auditions are a very big deal.

I wouldn’t say Manny’s Idol audition – though pleasant and fun, with the likable singer radiating positivity and joy – was the best of the night. Thursday brought a few other worthy golden-ticket-recipients who may eventually make Idol history in other ways. Let’s recap the rest of the successful final auditions, and savor every bittersweet golden moment.

Jessica Cabral - This 21-year-old daughter of Brazilian immigrants carried herself with so much class and poise. There was nothing flashy or show-offy about her performance of Alicia Keys’s “Brand New Me,” but there didn’t have to be; this was just a gorgeous, strong, unaffected vocal, delivered with heart, conviction, and quiet confidence. It was a low-key but totally captivating performance, and the judges were beaming throughout. “You’re absolutely beautiful, but when you sang, you became even more beautiful,” gushed Harry Connick Jr., who called Jessica “tremendous with a capital T” and told her, “I am going to be shocked if you don’t make it very far.” Jennifer Lopez even compared Jessica to the above-mentioned Kelly. Will Jessica be the “Kelly Clarkson bookend” Ryan Seacrest keeps blathering on about? Maybe…

Brian Dale Brown – OK. This one was weird. I am still trying to figure how this blowhard got three yeses. The man tried out 10 times (and never made it past the first round) before Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze, working as a screener at this year’s cattle-call auditions, nicely put him through. I can see now why BDB was rejected all those other times. He pretty much growled all of “Unchained Melody” this week, straining uncomfortably as if he were sitting either in a dentist’s chair or on a toilet. He sounded like he was in pain (I know I was!), and he was so loudmouthy and over-the-top, he made last season’s scenery-chewer Adam Ezegelian sound like Paul McDonald. Keith Urban diplomatically called Brian’s voice “powerful,” which wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t necessarily a compliment, either. J.Lo said Brian’s voice was “all over the place” and he left her “a tiny bit confused,” but she believed there was “a nice, sincere voice in there somewhere.” And then, somehow, all three judges agreed to give him a golden ticket. Huh???? Perhaps this was all part of Lee DeWyze’s evil revenge plan after Nigel Lythgoe snubbed him years ago…

Melany Huber – Just five months before her audition, this 17-year-old was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Now finished with treatment and newly cancer-free, this brave girl is pursuing her dream – and inspiring Idol viewers with her story. Crooning a song close to her heart, Bruno Mars’s “Talking to the Moon,” Melany was not stupendous, but her natural, sweet delivery, her obvious delight in performing, and her personal connection to the material made this an enjoyable audition. “Some people, they sing and they don’t have to try. They just do,” mused Jennifer. Keith appreciated Melany’s “storytelling quality” and “easy presence.” Harry said he liked “everything I’m seeing in front of me right now.” So it was three yeses for Melany. I’m not sure if she can make it to the top 24, but after all she’s been through, she deserves a little fun. I hope she enjoys every single second of her time in Hollywood.

Rachel Karryn, Caroline Byrne & Bianca Espinal – All three of these promising girls were accompanied by relatives (Rachel by her adorable grandfather, Caroline by her brother, and Bianca by her dad). None of their auditions were shown in full, but from what I could make out, Rachel was the best of this bunch. They all received golden tickets, but what I really want to know is, can Rachel’s grandpa get a ticket to Hollywood, too? (Side note: Bianca is yet another Season 15 contestant who once competed on The Voice. But she didn’t turn any chairs on that show.)

Chyna Sherrod – This girl is special. She actually made me like an Ariana Grande song – really because she turned donut-licker Ariana’s “One Last Time” into something that sounded like India.Arie. Harry called Chyna “fantastic”; J.Lo called her “amazing and awesome.” Keith loved how “laid-back and chill” she was. I wonder if Chyna is a little too chill to capture and hold America’s attention week after week, but Harry insisted, “She could stay in that lane and go really far.”

Lillian Glanton – This 15-year-old country chick (no pun intended) grew up on a poultry farm, but she’s no chicken: She bravely burst right into the audition room, full of spunk and performing her own original song, “Country Boyfriend.” The song was cutesy, but her singing was weak and a little off-key. “You look like the type of person that would really fun to hang out with, but your voice isn’t quite on the level of what I’m looking for today,” lamented Harry. However, this girl was so gosh-darn likable, the off-camera crew loudly groaned upon hearing Harry’s rejection. J.Lo and Keith, like the crew members, were more easily charmed, so they put Lillian through. I am sure, as Harry said, Lillian will be a blast to hang with in Hollywood; whoever gets her in their group round is in for a good time. But I agreed with Harry. I think Lillian will be back on the chicken farm soon enough.

Kacye Haynes – A recovering drug addict who’s only been sober for a year, Kacye sees Idol as a new beginning for him, his “greatest opportunity to be reborn.” After all that, I wanted to feel a lot more moved by his performance of “Brother” by Needtobreathe. Instead, this just seemed like a typical WGWG audition to me. J.Lo was emotionally moved, however, telling Kacye, “I felt like you were singing from some experience.” Keith was more apathetic, saying, “What I was lacking was the power from your voice. That might work in a band context, but as a solo artist, it wasn’t enough.” I sided with Keith, but then again, if the judges were willing to put Brian Dale Brown through, I suppose Kacye deserved a shot. And he got that shot, after Harry, who compared Kacye to Jon Bon Jovi and Bono, cast the deciding vote and said yes. I’ll be rooting for Kacye in Hollywood, but he does need to bring more passion to his future performances if he wants that chance to be “reborn.”

Zach Person – This 17-year-old blues/rock/alternative guitar player and songwriter did Gary Clark Jr.’s “Next Door Neighbor Blues,” and though he lacked the grit and life experience to really dig into the blues, his raw talent and original style were still evident. “You’ve got your thing… it’s refreshing,” smiled Keith. “There’s no one in the world that sounds like you,” raved J.Lo. “It’s so refreshing to hear someone who’s not caught up in [copying] other people,” added Harry. Man, I so wish there would be an Idol Season 16, so Zach could work on his craft a bit more, come back in a year or two, and really kill it. But since this was a now-or-never situation, I am glad the judges saw something in this kid and gave him a ticket.

Collette Lush – “I feel like Carrie Underwood just walked in here,” J.Lo not-all-that-hyperbolically proclaimed, after hearing this totally adorable, kooky, redheaded nanny confidently belt the Jackson 5′s “Who’s Loving You.” I did not expect such a serious performance from such a quirky girl, and the judges were pleasantly surprised as well. Jennifer told Collette, “You are born to sing.” Said Keith: “You don’t sound like anyone… you’ve got a timeless quality. “ Harry added, “You give hope to redheads everywhere!” As a proud redhead myself – and a fan of fantastic singers – I have plenty of hope that Collette can make it very far on this show. Team Ginger for the win!

Avalon Young – Avalon is a proud tomboy with the lyrics to Roxy Music’s “Avalon” tattooed on her arm. She was even named after the Roxy song! So, of course, I think she’s the coolest girl in the world. Her cover of Beyoncé’s “XO” didn’t have Bey’s fire or soul or sex appeal – her voice was a bit thin and light – but I dug her guitar-playing and overall crunchy-hippie vibe. “Some people come in and play guitar and they shouldn’t, but you play to your vocals very well,” remarked Keith. Harry saw potential, saying he believes this competition will bring out the best in Avalon and help her improve. I see something in this easygoing girl as well, so I hope Harry was right. I also hope she covers some Roxy Music, at some point.

Usen Isong – This background actor was clearly ready for his close-up, judging by his hammy, silly behavior when he sauntered into the audition room. I was totally surprised that his cover of Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One” was actually legit. This guy could sing! “People are going to love your bubbly personality, but at the same time, they want to know you’re serious about what you do,” warned Jennifer, before adding, “But with a voice like that, it is serious.” Harry said Usen could be “trouble” for the other contestants, because he’ll pull so much focus from everyone else. I think Usen has the potential to either be a huge fan favorite, or his shtick could get old fast and rub people the wrong way. I guess we will soon find out in Hollywood. Usen is certainly not in the background anymore.

Jaci Butler – This green-haired, warpainted rock chick, who lives Monkees-style in a house with her similarly leprechaun-tressed bandmates, walked in clad head-to-toe in black pleather Hot Topic gear… and then she sweetly, somewhat generically sang Bruno Mars’s “It Will Rain.” I love me some Bruno, but I was disappointed by Jaci’s song choice. Every Idol season needs a Manic Panicked rocker girl, after all, and that could have been Jaci’s lane. Pop/R&B just didn’t seem to suit her. Harry felt a vague disconnect – “something I can’t cheer for” – even though he told her, “Clearly, you can sing.” Keith and Jennifer were more impressed. Jaci ultimately made it through, but I still have the feeling she’d be better off as a frontwoman, not as a solo act. Oh well. Maybe Fox can revive The Next Great American Band after Idol goes off the air, and Jaci and her group, Jagged Row, can try out for that show instead.

Stephany Negrete – Stephany had the misfortune of also doing “Who’s Loving You,” a song Collette Lush had just totally slayed only a couple commercial breaks earlier. She reminded me of Cher with her flat-ironed hair, exotic good looks, and deep, throaty voice – and that, of course, was a good thing – but I much preferred Collette’s version. Stephany’s “Who’s Loving You” was too slow and sluggish, and I agreed with J.Lo that it seemed overthought. However, the judges saw potential for Stephany to be the “whole package,” so she received three yeses, even from J.Lo. Hopefully Stephany can get out of her head and sing more from her heart, going forward. Then I’ll be loving her.

And so, after Manny’s swan song, the American Idol Season 15 auditions came to a close. Keep watching over the coming weeks, as the season brings us a succession of “lasts”: last Group Round, last Green Mile, last top 24 semifinals, etc. Until then, Parker out.

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