Click Here to Watch American Idol S9E12 – Hollywood Round 4 (Full Recorded Video)

Full Recap

Janell Wheeler, 24, a sales representative, of Tampa is really nervous. She was trying to prove something in Hollywood, and while Simon couldn’t remember her, he thought her version of American Boy on the first day in Hollywood was well done. She didn’t do well in Group Round or her last performance in Hollywood singing Love Story. With Janell sitting for her final judgment, Ellen DeGeneres grills her asking her if she slept last night, and while she says she did, she also notes her job selling wine is a lot different from this. They talk about how stressful this gets, and Ellen says it’s hard to tell someone that has a great voice that they’re not going through, so she’s not going to say that. Janell is going through and says “Yea.” She tells Ryan Seacrest if she was Bikini Girl, she would kiss him.

Tyler Grady, 19, a college student, of Nazareth, PA admits he was a nervous wreck at his audition and didn’t expect to go through, yet got three yeses. On his last night in Hollywood he sang Home, then told the judges to not take the song literally, as that’s not what he really wanted to do. He doesn’t know what to feel or think right now. He sits in front of the judges, and Kara DioGuardi talks about his 70s vibe, and he admits all his idols are from the 60s and 70s and to watching a lot of rock DVDs. Kara calls it Planet Tyler. She wonders if he’ll bring some of those moves, because he made it.

Lacey Brown, 23, a church event director, Amarillo, TX made this walk last year as well, but didn’t make it, sitting next to Megan Joy who obviously made it over her. Something in her told her it wasn’t the end of the road. She wanted to turn the noes into yeses. Simon Cowell asks if she thinks it was the right decision last year, and she says it was, as she thinks she had to wait a year. It’s just her luck, he points out, the girls are even better this year. Yet, this time it’s good news for her. She made it. Shad had sung What a Wonderful World on her last day in Hollywood, and I’m pretty sure that’s what she’s feeling right now.

Also making it to top final 24 are Ashley Rodriguez, 21, a college student, Boston, Alex Lambert, 18, singer, North RIchland Hills, TX, and Joe Munoz, Huntington Park, CA. They celebrate over the backdrop of Lacey singing What A Wonderful World.

Crystal Bowersox, 23, a musician/mom, Elliston, OH shows a picture of her baby, saying it’s her piece of good luck. She thinks mainstream music right now needs a little pick-me-up to get back to the roots of real music. She isn’t worried about today, but can’t deny it’s huge. Being told 30 million watch and not 3 million, she says that just made her nervous. After all those others just went through, I’m worried she won’t make it. This is the one woman I want in. Simon guesses she would have normally not felt this was a platform for someone like her, and she agrees, but wants it so bad and feels she can surprise all the judges. She’s glad she came. He tells her they were all in agreement to have her in the top 24. She cries and shows a picture of her son who is outside waiting in jammies half asleep.

There are only ten empty spots left. Katie Stevens, 16, Middlebury, CT is next up to hear her fate. She wants to be able to tell her grandmother with Alzheimer’s that she made it to the top 24. Ellen asks if she was watching people come in and out and getting nerve-wracked. She admits she was. Ellen says her life is about making people happy, and she doesn’t want to give anyone bad news. She thought she did great … more pause … more pause …. so she’s going through. Katie never would have thought out of all these people she would be standing here. Simon asks how her grandma is, and tells her she will be happy.

Angela Martin, 28, a singer, Chicago is making her third attempt here. The first time her dad died just before Hollywood, and the second time she had to go to jail on a traffic warrant. She did well in the Group Round, but after day one in Hollywood, Simon told her he had heard that audition a million times. She isn’t a person that gives up. Angela cries on her way up to the stage, and Kara comes to sit next to her, telling her she’s shown such incredible growth this year and worked so hard. It was so difficult to pick, and she didn’t make it, but they want to encourage her to keep going. Kara tells her she is one of the bravest people she’s ever met. It was a rare tender moment from Kara, but this is where I miss Paula Abdul. Ryan wants her to promise she’ll look back and see it as a positive thing.

The jazz stylings of Lilly Scott, 20, a musician/sandwich maker, Littleton, CO who sang Lullaby of Birdland on day one blew the judges away. But the last day in Hollywood, singing Rich Girl didn’t go well for her. She’ was disappointed with how it went. Kara asks how she thought it went, and Lilly knows she slipped up on the last day, but thinks it went well other than that. Kara wonders if she stayed true to herself, and Lilly thinks she did. Kara likes that she’s unique, and while she doesn’t have the biggest voice, the show really is about that. But she doesn’t always believe that’s the best thing, and that’s why Lilly is going through.

Page Miles, 24, Naples, FL, Siobhan Magnus, 19, glassblowing apprentice, Cape Cod, Michelle Delamor, Miami FL, 22 a clothing store associate, Miami, Jermaine Sellers, 26, Joliet, IL, and John Park, 20, a college student, Northbrook, IL all make it through. Jermaine demands a hug from Simon. Interestingly, he gets it.

Haeley Vaughn, 16, Fort Collins, CO and Tori Kelly, 16, Canyon Lake, CA are the last two girls. They both are happy with what they’ve done and know they can’t do anything else. Simon tells Haeley at times they think she’s fantastic, and at others a bit annoying. Yet, she is super, super talented. Unfortunately, she chose a year with a lot of strong girls. Randy Jackson asks Tori how she thinks she did, and she admits singing Hot ‘n Cold on her last day in Hollywood was the most fun she’s had onstage. She had a blast working with the band. Randy, too, talks about how many talented people there were. Haeley make it through, yet Tori calls this an awesome experience as she goes home. Haeley feels truly blessed.

We’re down to two last guys, Andrew Garcia, 23, a musician, Moreno Valley, CA and Thaddeus Johnson, 16, Oklahoma City, OK. Thaddeus had good news all the way in Hollywood, with his proud mama behind him all the way. Andrew was always focused on doing it for his son and wife. He feels Paula would have appreciated his version of Straight Up. Thaddeus owned the stage the last night in Hollywood with Man in the Mirror.

Thaddeus is told by Simon there are only 24 places this year, but that it was close. He didn’t make it, and Simon is sorry. I have to give Simon credit for not drawing it out and just delivering the hard news. He then tells him chin up. For a young guy, it’s hard for Thaddeus to understand how you can do well and not get it. It’s honestly heartbreaking. Andrew Garcia sits down and Ellen tells him it was hard, as they can only put through 24 people. He still feels good about what he did and feels good about his arrangements. She tells him they liked that too. He made it. He gets handshaking and hugs around, then cries and calls his his wife, telling her to kiss his baby for him. Both guys end it totally emotional … but for different reasons.

Also making it through, as we see in the end is Tim Urban, 20, a college student/musican, Duncanville, TX. Why didn’t we see him making it through? The reason is because originally Chris Golightly made it through, but he was later disqualified.

Click Here to Watch American Idol S9E11 – Hollywood Round 3 (Full Recorded Video)

Full Recap

The contestants started about 6:50 AM on this final day, making sure everything was set, practicing and going over lyrics and the tunes. By the afternoon, the remaining 71 had all sung for their final time in Hollywood with a band behind them this time. The judges now start deliberating, playing with the Polaroids, marking them yeses and noes. They break them down into good news and bad news piles eventually, and split everyone into three different rooms.

Room one holds Casey James, Tim Urban, Tyler Grady, Andrew Garcia, and Todrick Hall. This has to be a group that makes it. In Room two are Keia Johnson, Mary Powers, Lloyd Thomas, Hope Johnson, and Christian Spear. Before Group round, I would have said it was a definite with Mary Powers in the group, but right now I’m not sure.

In Room three are Shelby Dressel, Haeley Vaughn, and Maddie Penrose. She’s unsure how her last performance was, and judging by this group, I’m not sure either. Also in the group are Jessica Furney and Angela Martin who had a good performance today with American Boy. After her performance, Kara said she liked her, and for Angela she felt good to be able to do this and knew it would be okay. Yet now, in the waiting room, she isn’t so confident.

Casey struggled on group day, but Jermaine Purifoy helped him with his dance moves, and he moved on. They took risks with their performances today. Casey sang Bubbly and Jermaine sang Brickhouse. He’s not sure why more people don’t like that song. I don’t know either, as it was my ringtone on my phone for awhile. Casey sounds good on Bubbly. I think it’s a risk that will pay off. He’s not super-excited about what he just did, but knows it’s just a piece of the puzzle. Jermaine had fun and wants to do it again.

Intersetingly none of the rooms have happy people. They’re all totally tense. Jermaine Sellers sang Man in the Mirror today and did MJ proud, I think. Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi look thrilled. Yet then he notes that in rehearsal he cut the last part out, so turns around and tells the band that wasn’t right. Bad move. The judges liked what he did; he didn’t need to say a thing. They never would have known it was a mistake. Yet now he’s made himself look like he has control issues.

Siobhan Magnus is worried about the first day in Hollywood when Ellen told her to lighten up and not be so old. She let loose today, singing Living For the City. It was great. Crystal Bowersox was a one-man band playing guitar, harmonica, and singing If It Makes You Happy. Wow is all I can say.

Alex Lambert struggled to play the ukulele on day one to accompany himself to some Jason Mraz. Yet he was better on Group Night alongside Mary Powers. Despite all this, he chooses to redo Jason Mraz. Also doing Mraz is Michael Lynche, but it sounds much different from the big guy and with a guitar instead of a uke. Todrick also sang it, this time without accompaniment. Interesting that all three sounded like completely different songs, as they were all styled so differently. And let me note here if I see Kara jam in her chair one more time I’m going to lose it.

Thaddeus Johnson’s mom has stuck with him every step of the way, and she’s still there. He says he has to have his momma there cheering him on. Today he also sang Man In the Mirror, but the band started playing Bubbly. He tells Simon Cowell he is a bubbly person, though. He handled the band’s mistake much better than Jermaine. And once the song gets going, he didn’t miss any of it. It didn’t take him out of his game at all. And no one is cheering louder than his mama.

Charity Vance is in room two and sang Gravity. It sounds good, but was a little boring. Tasha Layton impressed the judges on day one of Hollywood but has her doubts now. Mary Powers feels like she’s done enough to reach the top 24. She did well on group one, but didn’t have an easy time on the Group Round. She wasn’t intimidated by the judges and feels she’s pretty intimidating herself. She sang some Katy Perry today, which I think is a bad choice. Her daughter cheered “Yea Mommy” from the audience.

Lloyd Thomas is focused thinking about his wife and kids. He’s another one doing Man In the Mirror. It definitely sounds crass, but it’s like everyone wants to do the dead guy proud. Simon says afterwards that he just likes him. Brian Walker is confident with his performance and glad he got what he thinks was an encouraging sign from Simon. Tisha Holland, Jermaine Purifoy, and Hope Johnson are all fighting nerves in room two. Hope doesn’t feel she fits in anywhere else, other than onstage, and wants to have it easy for once in her life. She sings Home, and there’s something that’s so likable about her, yet the song doesn’t sound the best, and certainly not as good as most we’ve heard tonight.

In Room 3 are Didi Benami, Lee Dewyze, Jessica Furney, Angela Martin, Lacey Brown, and Shelby Dressel. Shelby forgot her lyrics in her original audition and cursed, making everyone laugh. In Hollywood she lost her nerves and gained a fan in Ellen. However, while rehearsing with the band today, she once again couldn’t remember her lyrics to More Than a Feeling. Michael Orland encourages her to just take a few breaths. Once she got onstage in front of the judges, she did amazingly well. Aaron Kelly did forget his lyrics to In the Arms of an Angel. It didn’t go unnoticed. He was the young guy who had been adopted by his aunt and uncle before social services stepped in. When he gets the lyrics, he sounds amazing.

Ashley Rodriguez sang Battlefield, and basically sounds like a star already. Lee Dewyze, from about twenty-five minutes east of me, which I’ll have to remember the next time I need paint, sang You Found Me, which could use a little more polishing, but sounds pretty good. Joe Munoz is yet another to sing Man In the Mirror and sings it well. Haeley Vaughn sang I’m Yours and sounds like she’s shouting it at some point.

Janell Wheeler hasn’t had it easy. She’s been fighting her voice all week and sits coughing throughout the day. She admits she’s nervous and says she can’t go home. She sang Love Story, and for having a hurt voice and throat, it isn’t bad. She does need some phrasing help, though. Kara says afterwards it was the wrong song, and Janell is worried she blew it, as she couldn’t take the pressure.

We hear a little bit of Room One which includes Tori Kelly who sang Hot ‘n Cold and Lilly Scott who sang Rich Girl. Andrew Garcia, a favorite already of many, sang Chasing Pavements, and listening to him throughout the competition, I think he could easily win this thing. Room two is full of fighters, with the head honcho of them all Mary. Hope has had to fight through life. Room three has had its ups and down with many of them having the down as their last moment onstage.

The judges address Room one first. Ellen tells them it’s her first time doing this, and there are so many good singers, and they keep saying you made it this far, you know you’re good, but now it’s a matter of shining onstage. But it’s not a problem “for y’all” as they’re going through. This includes Lilly Scott, Siobhan Magnus, Tyler Grady, Thaddeus Johnson, Michael Lynche, and Katie Stevens. The other two rooms hear them celebrating and are now extra-worried. Mary wonders if she passed the test.

Room two is the next to hear their fate. Simon addresses them and tells them whatever happens, he wants them to know that most of them were better than they they thought they would be. However, they have to deliver the news, and it’s bad news. They didn’t make it. Stunned faces are all around. He tells them to give themselves a round of applause. Hugs and handshakes go around. Mary Powers, Charity Vance, Brian Walker, Christian Spear, Lloyd Thomas, and Hope Johnson have hit the end of the road.

The judges now enter room three, and Randy Jackson tells them they say it every year, but truly this year, he thinks they’ve had the best talent they’ve ever had. They put in a a lot of work and there’s just never enough room to include everyone’s talent.” Kara chimes in and talks about them starting strong, and it’s hard to tell them, but they’re going to stay. Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, John Park, Angela Martin, Jessica Furney, and Shelby Dressel are now moving forward. Rooms one and three now celebrate together, all forty-six of them.

The judges now have to deliberate again and cut out the twelve top women and the twelve top guys. Interestingly enough, they are now announcing the semi-finalists in the Kodak Theater, instead of a hotel or similar building.

Michael Lynche, 26, a personal trainer, Astoria, NY is the first up to hear his fate. The new father steps up on the stage and tells the judges he is freaking out. He thinks he’s done well the past few days and that it’s the waiting game that freaks him out. Simon tells him they think he’s a nice guy and that he’s improved. Their problem is whether he will believe he can do this, yet they still think he’s better than when he startedHollywood. He’s through. Michael picks up the female judges to thank them and gives big hugs to the guys. Ellen warns him not to hurt her back. Michael dedicates it to his wife and new baby girl, saying Daddy’s coming home.

Didi Benami, 22, a waitress, Hollywood, CA is in next to hear her fate. She sang Kara’s song on the first day in Hollywood. Didi had lost her best friend and dedicated the audition to her. It was also because of her that she sang In the Arms of an Angel. She reminds me of Brooke White. She knows Rebecca would have wanted to do this so much, but didn’t get the chance to, so she’s dong it for her. Simon asks her how well she thinks she did. Didi thinks she did well. She breaks down, and Simon tells her she’s not alone, and that she had bad and good moments, but when she was good, she was fantastic. Unfortunately there are only 12 places, and she’s one of the 12. She tells Kara her song was awesome and celebrates and cries in her seat, then gets up to hug Kara.

Katelyn Epperly, 19, a student, West Des Moines, IA is up next. Her father had left the family shortly before her audition. Simon wasn’t totally thrilled, and after singing Something to Talk About, Ellen told her they were looking for a more emotional connection. She sang Bubbly on her last day in Hollywood, and frankly it could have gone better. Yet, she’s worked hard and is proud of what she’s done. Ellen addresses her and says she knows what it’s like to wait, as she’s auctioned many times too, and heard the word no. She wants her to hear right way, but keeps talking on and on. Katelyn is going through. She runs out screaming and knows her mom is going to freak out.

Shelby Dressel, 18, a waitress, Avon Park, FL is worried, but still riding on the mentions of her last performance. She’s so drained emotionally, and just to go further would be such a blessing. Randy addresses her, asking how she feels. She feels good, like a dream. Randy notes the high and low points, and how tough it’s been, but says they need to figure out who’s got it and who doesn’t. Unfortunately, she didn’t make this year. I’m shocked. I thought she was a lock. They think she showed a lot of growth, through the week. Simon doesn’t look happy, so I think he lost out on this one. After she leaves, either Ellen or Kara says it was hard, and Simon says it was the wrong decision. Outside, Shelby is saying it’s just the beginning.

Casey James, 27, a musician, Fort Worth survived a motorcycle accident, only to audition and be asked to take down his hair and unbutton his shirt. He started impressing more and more after that. As he walks in to hear his judgement, Ellen notes to Kara that he left his hair down for her, but it’s actually up and just falling out. She notes he’s from a town called Cool, and they all embark in a discussion about a town called Cool. Kara thinks it’s pretty cool that he’s going through to the next round. He jumps around and celebrates, hugs everone, and runs out. Kara totally flirted, doing the foot lift as he hugged her. After Casey walks out, Randy busts her on it.

Aaron Kelly, 16, Sonestown, PA is next in. He’s been anxious, and Hollywood was filled with ups and downs like his difficult upbringing. He sounded really good on day one in Hollywood with Kara thinking he had natural ability. But in Group Round he was a lyric forgetter, and Simon thought it seemed like community theater. Ellen asks him how his week has been. He thought it was exciting, but difficult. Group Round was the hardest for him. She tells him it’s good to see he’s a good guy too, and she thinks the people at home will enjoy it too, as he made it through.

Lee Dewyze, 23, a paint sales clerk, Mount Prospect, IL struggled all week, yet still thinks he’s going through. He’s trying to get the negativity out of his head as it comes creeping in and steps up on the stage to hear his judgement. He can’t be the fourth guy in a row going through. Kara tells him he has a great big voice, very powerful, and what they all saw was a lack of confidence onstage and really owning it to be a star. He doesn’t agree and thinks he can do really good things in music. She tells him they didn’t agree until about five minutes ago. He’s in and cries, as they really had him going I think. He stops halfway out and asks if they’re kidding.

Todrick Hall, 24, an actor/playwright, Arlington, TX was asking women if they would get engaged to him out by the pool, asking if their parents would be pleased to meet him, and also asking i they knew he was black. He’s feeling the pressure a lot, as he’s a trained dancer naturally, and was never known for a voice. He gives the credit for all his success to his mom. He tried out thanks to Fantasia encouraging him after he worked with her on The Color Purple. Kara tells him … yes, as he asks, “That’s it?” He made it, and again Simon doesn’t look happy. No wonder he’s leaving after this season.

Jessica Furney, 20, a caregiver, Wamego, KS had been rejected in Hollywood during season eight, but is determined this time. She was the only one in the Group Round to get the lyrics right for Sweet Escape, and insisted she get to sing it, even though Simon cut her group off before her part. There’s a joy coming out of her today. Randy notes her long walk, then says he won’t delay it, and while it’s been tough for them all, she didn’t make it. She begs, saying she’s been through so much and they have no idea.

Jessica knows she can do better. She does everything short of falling down to her knees, and Simon says they won’t be changing her minds, as they’ve made their decision. She asks what she did wrong, and he says she didn’t sing as well as the others, and she counters saying they didn’t have to deal with losing their voices, but he replies some of them did. Ellen says it’s not the end of her career. Simon cuts the session off. She’s done. She still feels like it’s unfair. If she could change one thing, it would be to not stay with the group she was in on Group Round, as she lost her voice trying to help those people, and it bit her in the ass.

While the American Idol Season 9 is kicked off last January 12 and showing the leg of auditions it had, various American Idol fan sites have many speculations that the Top 24 contestants are already chosen. Mostly, these people are said to be the strongest contenders who survived the Hollywood round. See the list of the American Idol 2010 Top 24 List that has been leaked after the jump.

1.  Aaron Kelly
age 16
Hometown: Sonestown, PA
www.youtube.com/user/aaronwaynekelly

2.  Alex Lambert
Hometown: North Richland Hills, TX
I’m Yours (youtube)

3.  Andrew Garcia
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
http://www.youtube.com/user/andrewagarcia

4.  Ashley Rodriguez
Hometown: Boston, MA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Cfvcv-9KA

5. Todrick Hall
Hometown: Plainview, TX

6. Casey James
Hometown: Dallas/Fort Worth

7. Chris Golightly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhEPZSf1MJI

8. Crystal Bowersox
Hometown: Chicago, IL
http://www.youtube.com/user/crystalsox

9. Haeley Vaughn
Age: 16
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO

10. Janell Wheeler
Hometown: Orlando, FL

11. Jermaine Sellers
Hometown: Joliet, IL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VDIOrLJvKk

12. John Park
Student at Northwestern

13. Katie Stevens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su7noViKYFM

14. Katelyn Epperly
Hometown: Desmoines, IA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aDMMzUlC8g

15. Lilly Scott
Hometown: Denver, CO

16. Lacey Brown
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
http://www.youtube.com/user/selikcortaka

17. Lee DeWyze
Hometown: Chicago, IL
http://www.youtube.com/user/WULILEEDEWYZE

18. Michael Lynche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYpDwsstbuU

19. Michelle Delamor
Hometown: Miami Beach, FL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eavzKCJzWrY

20. Siobhan Mangus
Audition City: Boston

21. Tyler Grady
or also known as the broken hands guy

22. Benjamin “Ben” Honeycutt (auditioned with Kings of Leon “Use Somebody)

23. Jose Munoz

24. Didi Benami

So there you have it.  Check out those who have videos on you tube and see who you like.

Shania Twain said he had a beautiful bottom end and nice lips! He had a nice tone “down there” and he has a good head!.

Purple Haze Spring Show ‘09 – The Price Is Right , Coming Home by John Legend

Arranged by: John Park
Soloist: John Park

Kaitlyan Epperly, 19 from Des Moines, Iowa, 16-year-old Charity Vance and Shania’s favorite hopeful, John Park from Northbrook, Illinois, were standouts who made the cut from Chicago’s auditions. Only 13 contestants were chosen from Chicago.

Stay tuned on FOX 13 when American Idol heads to Orlando, Florida Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. MST.