'American Idol' 2011 Season 10 Auditions: San Francisco Ends on a High Note

Steven Tyler Gets Grumpy During "American Idol" February 9 San Francisco Auditions

Victoria Leigh Miller
Wednesday night on "American Idol" it was off San Francisco, where the usually animated Steven Tyler finally reached his limit when it came to bad singing. Yep, the Aerosmith front man was acting like a Grumpy Rock Star as he and fellow judges Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez fielded through the best- and the worst- in San Fran.

So who did we meet in San Francisco? And who got a Golden Ticket to Hollywood?

Inessa Lee- This overly provocative Ukrainian 22-year old (she looked 15) can belly dance and do yoga moves like no one's business, but can she sing? The judges thought No.

Stefano Langone- This kid suffered a life threatening car accident and learned to walk again within 4 months. He wowed the judges with Marvin Gaye's "Heard It Through the Grapevine." Steven Tyler told him, "You survived that accident for a reason." Golden Ticket: Yes

More Golden Tickets went to Brittany Mazar, Lara Johnston and Mathew Nuss.

Clint Jun Gamboa- This Andrew Garcia lookalike was one of the best they saw in San Francisco, according to Randy. Golden Ticket: yes

Julie Zorilla-The 20-year old from Columbia sang "Summertime." J-Lo liked her glittery shoes and gave her a "Big, sparkly-shoe 'Yes.'" Golden Ticket: Yes

An ugly succession of No's went to Kenneth Berber, Weston Lee Smith and Drew Beaumier, a kid who came out dressed like a Transformer.

Rocker Dave Combs disappointed Tyler- and he started to get agitated and testy by all the bad talent. More No's for Rick Deschamp, David Johnston and Sabrina Corbett, who came out dressed as a policewoman and prompted Steven Tyler to say, "You ought to be arrested for that voice."

Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel. Emily Anne Reed had a hard luck story (her house burned down) but her unique, Norah Jones -sounding voice and guitar playing earned her a hesitant Yes from the judges.

But the best was saved for last. James Durbin, a 21-year old who was diagnosed with Tourettes and high functioning autism, can sing. He sang Aerosmith's "Dream On" and blew the judges away. Durbin said when he sings, everything else goes away. J-Lo could tell he was singing from a different place.

Tonight: It's off to Hollywood where the really big round begins.

You can catch the next episode of "American Idol" on Thursday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Published by Victoria Leigh Miller - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

Victoria Leigh Miller is a freelance writer specializing in arts and entertainment articles and informational web content. She is a Featured A&E Contributor for Yahoo and the recipient of the 2011 Y!CA Award...  View profile

7 Comments

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  • AMERICANIDOLLOVER2/17/2011

    That First Girl Like Enessa or sumthin was.....odd

  • Dina Sullivan2/11/2011

    I caught the show and I though James did an outstanding job. He will be one of my favorites... :o)

  • Mandy Robinson2/10/2011

    Nice recap

  • Patti Walden2/10/2011

    Thanks for the recap!

  • TRESA PATTERSON2/10/2011

    what a night it was!

  • robert2/10/2011

    who was the band Had the words reach for the stars I think

  • Robert2/10/2011

    I would like tyo know what the name of the song was that you played wenday during the show

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