Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol’s first two audition episodes were filled with contestants giving it another shot after failing to make the semifinals a year ago.

That includes teenager Travis Orlando, of Bronx, N.Y, who’s hard-luck story hasn’t exactly turned around in the meantime.

When we met Travis in last year’s New Jersey auditions, he and his family had spent some time in a homeless shelter.

Well, after Idol, Travis tells us his mom left his dad and the family wound up in a shelter again. As for Travis, he’s dropped out of high school, pinning all his hopes on a singing career.

“I’m doing this, not only for myself, but to show my mom I can do this. That I’m not a good-for-nothing low-life.  I can do something with my life,” said Travis, who was 17 at the time of the Pittsburgh auditions.

He sang “Isn’t She Lovely” and impressed all three judges enough to get a golden ticket to Hollywood. Jennifer Lopez said he’s obviously improved since Season 10, but still has a way to go.

In Season 10, Travis was cut on the first day of Hollywood Week.  He says he’s determined to show the judges he belongs this time around.

“Music is the only thing I know, the only thing I understand,” he says in his golden ticket interview.  ” I understand it like the back of my hand.”

He also thinks his sense of humbleness, combined with confidence will help set him apart from the competition.

Here are two of  pre-Idol performances from Travis.

“Eleanor Rigby”

“You (All for You)”