Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol awarded golden tickets to Hollywood to another dozen singers on Sunday night’s third episode of Season 18.

But it was two of the youngest singers who made some of the biggest vocal impressions on the judges.

Young Kimmy Gabriela, 17, brightened the Idol audition room with her smile and her vocals. And Lauren Spencer Smith, just 16, showed off both vocal power and control taking on a song by Pink.

Also advancing were Lauren Mascitti and Geena Fontanella, who impressed the judges with original songs. Plus Dillon James, DeWayne Crocker Jr., Courtney Timmons, Shannon Gibbons, and Genavieve Linkowski, who delivered one of the night’s most heartfelt performances as a tribute to her late sister.

We also caught snippets of three other Hollywood bound singers: Amelia Joyce, Erin Kirby and Jordan Jones.

I’ve already profiled Amelia and Erin. You can learn more about them and several of the other artists featured Sunday — including info about the music they’ve already released — by following the links at the bottom of this blog.

Here’s the Idol recap.

Kimmy Gabriela, 17, Lakeland, Fla., high school student: Her dad is a musician and Kimmy says he taught her everything she knows. She wants to make him proud. She’s a lovely girl with a lovely smile and a great personality. She sings “Let’s Hurt Tonight” by One Republic. And the judges are understandably impressed. She can also speak in Spanish. Lionel Richie calls her Top 10 material.

Lauren Mascitti, 27, Nashville, Tenn., nurse: Grew up singing gospel music in church in Ohio. In addition to being an aspiring country singer, she’s working as a nurse. She’s accompanied into the audition by her fiance, country songwriter Shawn Camp. She sings an original called “If I Can Lose You” and the judges like her story-telling ability through music. She gets an unanimous yes for Hollywood.

Ryan Harmon, 24, Lamar, Ark., podcast host: He’s a country music singer, though everyone else in the family works at the local power plant. He sings an original “I Knew This Would Happen.” The judges encourage Ryan to travel to Nashville to try luck there. But the judges say no to Hollywood. Because of their encouragement, Rayn calls it the “best ‘no’ I’ve ever heard.'”

Courtney Timmons, 22, Harris Neck, Ga., security guard: Ryan met her on a corner and she said her dream was to audition for Idol. She didn’t release the taping wasn’t an open call. So Ryan took her to the audition room. We sings “Rise Up.” And, of course, she’s got a very good voice and very nice range. Katy calls her one of the best singers we’ve heard today. And she gets a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Lauren Spencer Smith, 16, Vancouver Island, high school student: She feels like a very young girl with a huge dream and is hoping American Idol can help her fulfill that dream. She has vocal power to spare in her cover of “What About Us.” And delivers a very tender ending too. Lionel calls her “gifted well beyond her age.” Luke calls her voice “super interesting.” Katy loved her too.

DeWayne Crocker, 23, Pensacola, Fla., worship leader: He showed up with his 78-year-old great-grandmother, whose a big Lionel Richie fan. He’s a worship leader, so he’s done a lot of singing in church. He’ll audition with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He shows off a nice tone and range. Lionel says he thinks DeWayne’s “got the goods.” Katy liked his arrangement of the song. And he gets three yes votes for advancing to Hollywood. And, of course, his great-grandmother gets to meet Lionel.

Dillon James, 26, Bakersfield, Calif., construction worker: When he’s not playing music, Dillon works with his dad’s paving company these days. But he says six or seven years go, he started doing drugs and drinking all the time. “I got so fed up with life,” he confesses. He’s been sober for two years now and has reconnected with his family. He also connects with the judges thanks to a gritty performance of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.” He gets a unanimous golden ticket. Katy calls the audition “awesome” and Dillon “mysterious.” Luke liked the honesty in Dillon’s performance.

Geena Fontanella, 27, Los Angeles, Calif., musician: She says she’s always been a big fan of Katy Perry and is excited about the chance to perform for her at an Idol audition. She auditions with an original, “Don’t Want You Back.” And she gets the judges to join in on the chorus. Luke Bryan compliments her on a “really cool” sound. Katy compliments her on being personable and having a good voice. Geena is unanimously Hollywood bound.

Jared Lettow, 26, Santa Barbara, Calif., engineer: After much ado about his name — no, he’s not the actor Jared Leto — this Idol auditioner announces that he can yodel. Then he yodels and yodels and yodels some more during a song that appears to be called “California Yodeler.” He even tries to teach Katy to yodel. That goes better than the vote on whether or not he should advance on Idol. He doesn’t.

Shannon Gibbons, 20, Long Island, N.Y., college student: She says the whole family watched Idol when she was growing up. She’d get up on a table and perform. She sings in a band now. But Shannon says she’s also had problems with depression. Music helped; she’s also undergone therapy. She auditions with “I’d Rather Go Blind.” And it’s an impressive performance that has the judges proclaiming a new “Shannon standard” contestants have to meet to advance to Hollywood.

Isaiah Grass, Chicago, social media influencer: He started singing in church choir. He’s now a singer, model and social media influencer. He auditions with “Take On Me” and also provides a snippet of “House of the Rising Sun.” The judges say he’s better suited for musical theater.

Genavieve Linkowski, 21, Goodrich, Mich.: Genavieve made Hollywood back in Season 16, but has since experienced heartbreak. Her oldest sister Corinn, who was also her singing partner, died in a car crash just over a year ago. In fact, Genavieve just released a song called “Beautiful Tragedy” about the experience. Genavieve slips behind the piano and delivers a heartfelt version of “How am I Supposed to Live Without You” that draws praise from the judges. Katy said she felt every bit of that performance. Lionel, in particular, is impressed with her progress and predicts she’ll go further in Season 18.

Learn more about …
Amelia Joyce
DeWayne Crocker Jr.
Dillon James
Erin Kirby
Geena Fontanella
Genavieve Linkowski
Kimmy Gabriela
Lauren Mascitti
Lauren Spencer-Smith