Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Rico Perkins was one of at least two contestants who auditioned with a song from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in San Francisco.

And it worked out just fine for the 24-year-old from Little Rock, Ark.

Rico Perkins was among the successful auditioners for American Idol in San Francisco. (FOX Photo)

And, just like that, Rico is off to the Hollywood round of Season 13 of American Idol.

We saw only a snippet of Rico’s audition, but in his Road to Hollywood video he tells us that Jennifer called him a “diamond in the rough” and Keith Urban asked for a hug once it ended.

What’s going to make Rico stand out in the competition?

“Number one, I’m going to be myself, and how can you not love me?” he says during that video. “Number two, I believe people will be able to feel the passion and I’ll be able to tell a story with every song I sing.”

Rico says two of his biggest musical inspirations are Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

Here are two more examples of Rico’s vocal talent. If you’d like to hear more, head to his YouTube channel.

“I Won’t Complain”

“Diary”