American Idol Season 10 Hollywood Group Round
American Idol Season 10 (Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM on FOX)
Wow. Let me just put it out there… Wednesday nights are jammed backed with amazing television. Survivor returned last night, I had my ABC comedy block (Better With You, Modern Family and Mr. Sunshine) and of course 2 hours of American Idol (not to mention Top Chef and Face Off). But this post is all about American Idol’s Hollywood Group Round. I’m sorry I missed last week’s San Fran auditions and Hollywood Round #1, but I was on vacation and decided it’s better to just roll with the new episodes instead of looking back. Let’s get started. Group Round means sleep deprived contestants, tears, rivalries, and in this case stage moms. It’s one of my favorite weeks, just because you get to see who shines and who fades into the background.
168 contestants split up into 39 teams of at least 3, and must contain a member from each day of Hollywood Auditions (which seemingly was the hard part). There were a few people who couldn’t land a group, or stick with one. The focus was mostly on Tiffany, who roped in Jessica but they couldn’t find a 3rd person. The producers gave them the okay to do a duet. Scott McCreery had a hard time finding a group, rejecting and being rejected from multiple groups before finding one he liked. But when it came down to rehearsing, he new group booted poor little Jacee, leaving him to find some where else to go. In a last ditch effort, Brett L. and his group needed a day 2 person, and so they took him in. Ashley Sullivan had a hard time too, but found a group that welcomed her with open arms. She freaked out in the middle of the night, but when she tried to quit, the producers sent her off to think about it, which she did, and was again welcomed back by her group with open arms. Jordan Dorsey, who rejected Scott McCreery from his group, dropped out of his group and switched because he didn’t like the song choice. PLUS two groups were gonna sing the same song (GASP!) and a rivalry started, since one group was getting loads of help from their stage moms. Plus an ex-couple and the bossy blonde struggle with choreography and lyrics to their song.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Ugh. Okay. Onto the performances, right?!
Lauren Alaina & her group brought Steven Tyler on stage to sing him “Some Kind of Wonderful”; it was a great concept and really fun, but it seemed to backfire for most of the girls, since Lauren Alaina was the only one through to the next round.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Group 440 which was the team Jordan Dorsey left. They sang Cee-Lo Green’s “Forget You”. Lauren Turner had the most air time as she belted out the tune, but all of them made it through to the next round (Adrian Michael, Erica & Shane).
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Group 4 1, which is the team Jordan Dorsey switched to. They sang “I Want You Back”, with Jordan and Robbie Rosen both getting lots of air time. They had great choreography and harmonies and they all made it to the next round.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
The Deep V’s – James Durbin, Caleb Johnson Emma Henry, Danny Pate, and John Jordan who sang “Somebody to Love”. They were all featured, but James Durbin and his signature scream stood out the most, while their harmony was wayyyy off. This resulted in James Durbin and Caleb Johnson getting to stay, while the rest had to go.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
The 3 Girls from NY – Pia Toscano, Alessandra Guercio and Brielle Von Hugel who sang “Grenade” they were a great complimentary group, I loved their ending. They all made it through to the next round.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Ashley Sullivan’s group of divas – who sang “Hit ‘Em Up Style” (song I LOVE); Ashley was much better than her early auditions, Ashton Jones was also featured and was amazing. They’re all through (including Jacqui Elliot and Keeira Lyn Ford) to the next round (Randy told them they were the best harmonized group).
Photo Credit - FOX
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Night Owls – Julie Zorrilla (the one with a “cute stage dress”) Casey Abrams (the scatter), Dave Noguchi, Lara Johnston and Melissa Lucas were all featured in their a cappella performance of “Get Ready”. Only Julie and Casey made it through (although I liked Lara Johnston’s voice over Julie’s… the judges obviously think she’s got the “it” factor in terms of style on stage).
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Ebony, Ivory and Every Group - Da’quela Payne, Matthew Nuss, Naima Adedapo, Jacob Lusk and some blonde girl also go a cappella with “Get Ready” and all go through to the next round. Jacob had soul, and I’d be really surprised if we don’t see Naima make it to the big stage.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Colton Dixon and his group (Nashville Stars) including Matt Dillard (forgot the words) sang “Just The Way You Are” was mostly a big mess, so it wasn’t a surprise when Colton was the only one through to the next round.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
The Minors (The kids with the stage-moms) – Who sang a gospel-esque version of “Somebody to Love” - Keonna Evans, Jalen Harris, Sarina-Joi Crow, Felix Ramsey, and Deandre Brackensick (with his falsetto) were definitely the best group of the night in my opinion, and the judges liked them too… sending them all through to the next round.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Four Non-Blondes and That Guy – Carson Higgins (That Guy), Chris Medina, Caleb Hawley, Erin Kelly, and Devyn Rush sang “Forget You”. For me, Carson stood out for his voice and his comedy, and I agreed with the judges Devyn seemed the least into the performance and deserved to go home for it, the only one not to make it through from the group.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
John Wayne (Schultz) and his Apollo Theatre (according to S.Ty) sang “Get Ready”, but I think at least he made it through…
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Hollie Cavanagh and her group sang “Grenade” – in which Steven Clawson totally cheated by having the lyrics on his hand, Corey Levoy kept looking back as he forgot the words), and Hollie showed a bunch of confidence on stage. Corey and Hollie made it through plus a brunette and Corey asked “Why!?” but quickly realized he should shut up and take the second chance.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
The Suga Momma and the Babies – the group that took in Jacee Badeaux at the last minute as they sang “Mercy”. Denise Jackson, Stevie Cain, Natalie Hanson, Brett Loewenstern, and Jacee were all featured. Jacee forgot the words, but improvised.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
The judges asked about what happened with Jacee and took pity on him (it was NOT his best performance by a long shot). He was very gracious though trying not to call anyone out about it. They all made it through to the next round. I’m glad the judges came him another shot, but I’m not sure his voice is strong enough.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Scott McCreery (who apologized for not sticking up for Jacee), Clint Jun Gamboa (the one that really wanted him out), Monique De Los Santos, and Frances Coontz sang “Get Ready” and I see why they didn’t mesh well with Jacee. Jacee has a more soft-tone voice and all of them have deep, rich tones. They all make it through to the next round.
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
Spanglish - Sang "Just The Way You Are" consisted of the guy that they had to wake up and grab from his hotel room, Kevin Campos, plus Jovany Barreto, Jorge Gabriel, and Karen Rodriguez. Jorge was the worst in my opinion, and apparently making the judges wait didn't bode well for Kevin as Jovany and Karen were the only two that made it to the next round.
Plus some stand-outs from the auditions were cut this round including Janelle Arthur (forgot the lyrics), Emily Anne Reed, Adrienne Beasley, and Paris Tassin, Alyson Jados, Courtney Penry and Aaron Gutierrez.
Celsee Oaks, Jacqueline Dunford and Rob Bolin suffered from reality TV relationship drama, lack of sleep and an inability to dance and remember lyrics at the same time. They were awful. Did any of them make it through?! I don't remember.
Tiffany and Jessica also tanked on stage as Tiffany tried to outshine Jessica. The poor girl was too naive and kind to realize there was a reason Tiffany couldn't find a group, and she paid for it by being eliminated.
Did I miss anyone!? What's going on in tonight's episode!? Are we at the voting stage yet... please. Okay. Til tomorrow people!
