Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kat Luna and Alex Cortez perform during Sunday’s episode of American Idol. (ABC Photo)

American Idol opened its latest audition episode with Katy Perry sharing the news that she’s pregnant, for those who hadn’t already heard.

Then the show got down to the business at hand, introducing us to about a dozen more Hollywood bound singers.

In my mind, the most impressive of the group were Makayla Phillips among the ladies and Mosean Wilson among the guys.

But the judges also predicted Sophia Wackerman, Kat Luna and Alex Cortez have Top 10 potential and heaped praise on several of the other singers as well.

Here’s a recap. Idol has one more audition episode next Sunday before the show moves on to the Hollywood round.

Danny LaRota, 24, Birmingham, Ala., dental student, “Royals” by Lorde: He shows off plenty of vocal acrobatics in a short snippet of the song. Katy says he’s the most original contestant on American Idol this season. Lionel compares him to Robert Plant and compliments his range. He sails to Hollywood with a unanimous vote.

Makayla Phillips, 17 Temecula, Calif., “Who’s Loving You” by Smoky Robinson: Okay, Makayla delivered a brilliant vocal, didn’t she? Katy said her singing created “chill bumps all over my body. You are Top 10 in my book.” She gets a unanimous vote to advance to Hollywood. I suspect we’ll be seeing lots of Makayla later this season. She’s a former America’s Got Talent contestant and she just released a new single. Learn more here.

Devon Alexander, 22, Sonora, Calif., “Not in That Way” by Sam Smith: Devon tells Idol he grew up in a log cabin and FOX was the only channel they could get on TV. He, of course, watched American Idol. Luke liked his vibe and called him a talented crooner. Lionel said he’s glad he turned out to audition.

Mosean Wilson, 23, Springfield, Ill., nonprofit employee, “Slip Away” (an original): An only child, he moved in with his grandmother when he was 2 years old because his dad was bipolar. His dad died of a drug overdose two years ago. And Mosean has a 3-year-old daughter. He turned to music as an outlet. Sitting in a chair, playing his keyboard, he shows off a very good voice on a pretty good original. “You’re what it’s all about,” Luke said. Katy said he has an incredible voice. Lionel’s so impressed, he gets out of his judge’s chair and hugs Mosean.

Editor’s Note: American Idol hasn’t yet released video of his performance.

Faith Becnel, 20, Destrehan, La., “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle: It sounds as though Faith sang a first song we didn’t hear and Katy requested something she could really dig into. She has a bluesy sounds, but the judges correctly note that the delivery seemed a bit rushed. Still, Katy sees “tons of potential” and an undeniable “it” factor in Faith. With Luke’s help, she vaults Faith to Hollywood, overruling Lionel’s “no” vote.

Kat Luna, 19, and Alex Garrido Cortez (aka “Space Cowboy”), 26: They’re a couple who met in church and can barely stop holding hands. They sing “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. We get to here more from Kat than Alex in that brief audition. But Katy is clearing impressed and says they could both be Top 10. She compares Kat to Dua Lipa. Luke’s reaction: “It never happens like this (when couples enter the room) where both people really knock it out of the park.” They both advance.

Jimmy Levy, 21, Miami, Fla. “Nobody Love” by Tori Kelly: He says he comes from a psychic family. His grandmother was world-famous psychic Micki Dahne; he says his mother, Jill, is clairvoyant. “Me, I see dead people (ghosts),” Jimmy says. But he wants to pursue music, not the family footsteps. He sings “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak, but the judges stop him, saying he sounds nervous. They ask him to sing something a cappella. He responds with a cover of “Nobody Love” by Tori Kelly. Lionel thinks he could be great fronting an alternative band. Luke likes the growl in his voice. Katy agrees he has an interesting voice. He’s Hollywood bound by a 3-0 vote too. Jimmy has music out; learn more here.

Olivia Ximines, 16, high school junior, “Language” by Tori Kelly: She’s on the Orange Vista dance team at Orange Vista High School. Olivia says she was shy as a freshman, but dancing helped bring her confidence. She shows off a big soulful voice. Katy says she has an incredible voice. Luke loves her “sparkling” personality. Katy compares her to Brandy. And, of course, Olivia is Hollywood bound.

Sophia Wackerman, 20, Long Beach, Calif.: She hails from a musical family. Her father is a drummer who has often performed alongside James Taylor. Her mother was a singer who performed with the Moody Blues and provided background vocals for Belinda Carlisle. Sophia’s mom, Naomi Star, died of cancer when Sophia was 16. Sophia says she and her mom used to watch Idol together. She performed “Water” by Bishop Briggs. All three judges said they were impressed by her potential and her personality. Lionel predicted she’s Top 10 material. Katy did suggest Sophia use Sophia Star — after her mother — as her stage name.

Zack Dobbins, 19, Clay, W.Va., construction worker, “Miss Use” (an original song): He hails from a small town and has a 1993 F-150 he calls Loretta. Zack says he grew up on music. His grandfather and father both played bluegrass. “Music is a passion,” he says. The original he sings he really pretty good. Katy calls him authentic. Lionel likes his realness. Luke votes to move him along to Hollywood as well. Katy says he’s a “diamond in the rough.”

Marna Michele, 27, Costa Mesa, Calif., “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga: She says she’s been dreaming of getting a goldent ticket since age 12. She says that’s around the time she started singing. She was born with arthrogryposis, a joint disorder that has left her in a wheelchair. “I think it’s time someone is an American Idol who isn’t perfect,” she says. Luke likes her range. And Marna winds up with three votes to advance to Hollywood.

Ren Patrick, 26, Cyprus, Texas: A former resident of L.A., she says she was in a toxic relationship with a guy for eight and a half years before getting up the courage to pack up and move back to her family in Texas. In fact, she recalls seeing Katy Perry at a Hollywood party seven years ago. Katy overheard Ren and her boyfriend arguing and said something to the effect of “dump him, girl. “It took seven years, but I took your advice.” Ren then impressed the judges with a cover of “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn. Luke calls her an “incredible singer.” The judges unanimously vote Ren through to Hollywood. But they award the golden ticket to Ren’s mom for the support she showed her daughter during a difficult time.