American Idol 2011: New Orleans Auditions, 1/20/11

American Idol, season 10, is underway! In the second show of the new season, auditions took place in New Orleans.

Steven Tyler is outrageous with his random thoughts, off-the-wall comments, and occasional screams! And his facial expressions are priceless! He's confident, knowledgeable, and let's the weak contestants down without the cruelty that Simon Cowell used in prior seasons.

Jennifer Lopez radiates beauty, sophistication, and brains. She shows compassion for the contestants. She was brought to tears when 23-year-old Paris Tassin, mother of a special needs daughter, sang a rendition of Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood.

Randy Jackson, seasoned judge of the three, held his own, although his "dawg" quips and mentality are getting pretty old. Several times when Lopez or Tyler asked him what he thought of a contestant, he deflected the questions back to them. It might do him well to step it up a bit so he doesn't get lost in the hype surrounding the other two judges.

The low point of the night was when Tyler and Jackson went on stage next to one of the contestants and all three lifted their shirts up. Tyler yes. Jackson definitely no!

Highlights From New Orleans Audition:

Jordan Dorsey, 21

Jordan Dorsey is a musician and piano teacher from Louisiana. He had a good tone to his voice and in the middle of the song said he was going to switch it up. At that point, he slipped effortlessly into a faster, more upbeat tempo, which impressed the judges. He was voted through to Hollywood.

Jacquelyn Dupre, 24

Jacquelyn Dupre is from Mississippi and her father happens to be Randy Jackson's football coach from high school. Jackson was born and raised in Baton Rouge. Dupre's father was briefly brought on stage. Dupre also brought some pictures of Jackson in high school. Turns out Dupre didn't need any extra help impressing the judges as her voice was enough. She was voted through.

Brett Loewenster, 16

Brett Loewenstern is from Florida. He has wild red hair that gives him a unique look. He said people picked on him when he was growing up and he was left out a lot. But as soon as he started singing, he was definitely not someone to pick on. His voice was amazing. He was not left out, he was voted through.

Jacee Badeaux, 15

Jacee Badeaux is from Lousiana. Only 15 years old, he was somewhat reserved and quiet, but said he was excited and ready to go. He sang Sitting On The Dock of the Bay by Otis Reading. As soon as he started singing, jaws dropped at the pure talent that this kid possessed. He was voted through.

Paris Tassin, 23

Paris Tassin is from Lousiana. She told the judges that when she was pregnant with her daughter, Kyria, doctors told her Kyria had hydrocephalus and advised against going forward with the pregnancy. Tassin decided to to have Kyria anyway. Kyria has hearing aids but is otherwise healthy. This story brought Jennifer Lopez to tears. Tassin sang with emotion to a song that had special meaning to her. The judges voted her through.

American Idol seems to be focusing on the actual contestants this year without all the drama by the judges which is how it should be since this is a talent show, not a spoiled judges show. And since the banter between Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell was sometimes uncomfortable to watch last season, this won't be missed either.