Hollywood Week begins Monday night — in Nashville — on American Idol (ABC Photo)
For a month, we’ve heard American Idol judges tell contestants they’ve advancing to Hollywood Week.
But in truth, there is no “Hollywood Week” in Season 24.
Instead, over the next two weeks, Idol will be airing a single round of competition filmed in Nashville.
And it’s going to be brutal. Because based on just one performance, the judges are going to whittle the dozens upon dozens of golden ticket recipients to a lucky 30.
Here is my audition by audition prediction of singers most likely to survive what Idol is billing as “Hollywood Week: The Music City Takeover.”
Editor’s note: See the update below.
Audition Episode 4: Between his mountain man look, his great vocals and his passionate performance style, I expect Chris Tungseth to quickly became a Season 24 fan favorite.
My other favorites include Brenna Brigman, Abayomi and Rae Boyd. Rae seems to have a big personality to go with a big voice, a combo Idol loves. Abayomi showed amazing potential and nary a hint of nerves auditioning at age 15. Brenna’s a cappella version of “My Church” was one of my favorite vocals from any of the audition shows.
Audition Episode 3: I ranked Jordan McCollough’s “Goodness of God” cover as he best from this episode. He delivered one of the best males vocals of the audition round.
Kiera Howell, just 16, is another of those remarkably talented teens who seems unfazed by the Idol spotlight. If Idol is serious about giving rockers a chance, Madison Moon is certainly worth one. Trew the Star had the most popular audition from this week of performances.
Audition Episode 2: I have my fingers crossed that we’ll see and hear a lot more from Julian Kalel, partly because I’m a big fan of his original music. He’s the guy who dropped out of Season 23 because of his struggle with anxiety.
I’ve already mentioned a couple of very young singers. I’d be remiss not to put Ruby Rae, the 16-year-old from the Pacific Palisades near the top of that list. And then there’s Hannah Harper, mother of three young boys, who dazzled with her original song “String Cheese.” Like Chris Tungseth, I think she’s another sure-to-be fan favorite among the Season 24 cast.
Audition Episode 1: When I was researching singers for Season 24, two of the male voices that stood out where those of Bryant Thomas and Daniel Stallworth. Bryant got lots of screen time in this episode; he’s the guy who proposed after getting his golden ticket. Daniel did not … get much air time that is.
And when I was researching singers for Season 24, I was thrilled to see former Voice contestants Kyndal Inskeep and Jacquie Lee on the list. Like Bryant, Kyndal got lots of air time on the season premiere. Like Daniel, Jacquie did not. Also keep an eye out for Genevieve Heyward, aka “The Pickle Girl,” with great music out and a great personality.
I’ve profiled dozens of Idol auditioners this year, many of whom we haven’t even seen, others who failed to snag a golden ticket. Follow the links below to learn more about those singers and their music.
Editor’s Note: American Idol aired the first Hollywood Week episode on Feb. 23. Of the singers listed aboe, Chris Tungseth, Abayomi, Kiera Howell, Jordan McCullough, Madison Moon, Hannah Harper and Bryant Thomas made it the Gold Room, meaning they’re still in the running for the Top 30. None of those mentioned above have been eliminated. Most of the others will be featured on Monday’s episode.
Bryant Thomas with his new fiancee after his audition on American Idol. (ABC Photo)
CONTESTANT PROFILES
Abayomi
Abi Swart
Alex Kanaday
Amelia Eisenhauer
Angelina Remondino
Anna Hurd
Bartly
Ben Woods
Brantley Brown
Brenna Brigman
Brett Carlisle
Brianna Yancey
Brooks Rosser
Bryant Thomas
Carmen Lorell
Chanel Michelle
Christian Brown
Daniel Stallworth
Eli Epps
Eva Luna Smith
Genevieve Heyward
George Perkins
Haley Bundy
Hannah Harper
Jackie Bluebird
Jackson Inman
Jackson White
Jacquie
Jade Flores
Jakob Stobaugh
Genevieve Heyward with her golden ticket after her audition on American Idol (ABC Photo)
Jasmine Zeigler
Jayson Arendt
Jayson Garner
Jesse Findling
Jordan McCullough
Josiah Dyer
Julia Sienna
Julian Kalel
Julianne Post
Justin Koolik
Kainoa Tiger
Kamryn Palmer
Keira Howell
Kendra Struck
Keyla Richardson
Khloe Grace
Kutter Bradley
Kyndal
Landon Hughes
Landon McGraw
Luke Colombo
Madison Moon
Marissa Luna
Matthew Holliday
Michael Garner
Michael Maler
Mikayla Pashby
Mor Ilderton
Nyla Martin
Philmon Lee
Pierangela
Ricky Boyce
Savannah Swatland
Seth Witcher
Sheldon Riley
Sophie Dorsten
Sophia Zamani
Talon Cardon
Tate Emmons
Tinayeshe Manyika
Trace Casanova
Trew the Star
Uzziah Hutchinson
Vincent Fondale
Vyann
Julian Kalel auditions with his sister helping out on violin on American Idol (ABC Photo)
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