Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Michelle Sussett gets Katy Perry dancing on American Idol. (FOX Photo)

To hear Katy Perry tell it, we’ve already met three potential Top 10 finishers on Season 16 of American Idol.

I’m not sure how Katy’s going to do as a judge once the live shows start.

But at this point, I sure can’t argue with her musical tastes.

Tuesday’s second night of auditions featured 15-Hollywood bound singers.

Here are the highlights.

THE BEST

Mara Justine, 15, Galloway, N.J.: Wow! At 15! Really. Mara blew the judges away with her soulfulness and power as she tackled — and slayed — Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain.” Katy proclaimed her Top 10 material. And she’s younger than American Idol, folks!

Brandon Diaz, 21, Ashburn, Va.: Katy called him the best male singers the judges have seen so far, and I’d agree he’s the best we’ve heard. His ranged is incredible. She also proclaimed he has Top 10 potential. We’ll see. To learn more about Brandon, who previously tried The Voice and The X Factor, head here.

WATCH OUT ABOVE

Garrett Jacobs, 17, Bossier City, La.: He auditioned with “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” and we’ve heard much, much, much better renditions of that song on American Idol. But Garrett’s certainly got a Hollywood-worthy voice. He also stands 6-foot-4 and has the potential to become the show’s Season 16 heartthrob.

THE INSPIRATION

David Francisco, 25, Nashville, Tenn.: Give Idol this, they’ve already presented us with some inspiring backstories. David moved to Nashville to do music, only to be hit by a distracted driver while riding his bike. At first paralyzed from the waist down, he’s regained some mobility as well as his dream of making a living as a musician. His version of “Isn’t She Lovely” with his fiancee looking on reduced Katy Perry to tears. And earned him a trip to Hollywood.

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HER IN HOLLYWOOD

Michelle Sussett, 21, Miami, Fla.: All the time, Idol auditioners talk about how nervous they are singing before the celebrity judges for the first time. Michelle, who moved to the U.S. from Venezuela three years ago, won over the new Idol judges with her fearlessness. She sang in Spanish. She danced. She made the judges get up and dance with her. Katy wound up on the floor. But Michelle got her golden ticket.