'American Idol': Round One of Hollywood Week

Hollywood is a land of fulfilled dreams and broken hearts where it was no exception on "American Idol" Thursday night. During the city auditions you saw these very same people excited to tears receiving their ticket to Hollywood, only to have it cut very abruptly in the first round. The initial round consisted of over three hundred contestants. In seasons past it was nearly two hundred who landed in Hollywood.

All of them had to sing a song A cappella, without musical accompaniment. Many were nervous and choked under the pressure while others thrived under the spotlight and judges scrutiny. There were some surprises on who didn't make it, while it wasn't a surprise to see others go on to the next round where they get together in groups of three or more.

The First Cut is Always the Deepest

During the New Jersey auditions I remembered Victoria Huggins kept saying "y'all" during her chatty times when she was featured. The perky teen from North Carolina felt so confident she would make it in Hollywood. She couldn't wait to choreograph her routine for the group round. Unfortunately she didn't shine onstage during her moment in Hollywood. Victoria sounded like she shouted rather than sing her song. She was cut and sent packing.

Former Miss Teen USA Stormi Henley from the Nashville auditions proved Jennifer Lopez right when she said "her voice is too small." It was small indeed amongst the huge auditorium. Stormi's performance lacked any kind of feeling or passion.

The most pathetic rejection came from the lovey-dovey couple from Austin. Jacqueline Dunford made it to the next round, but not her boyfriend, Nick Fink. He kept pleading with Randy Jackson for another chance and Randy said "only one chance, dude." Fink then got very vocal as he was leaving the auditorium. It was an awkward moment. I don't think he'll be auditioning for "American Idol" again.

Highlights of Memorable Performances from Those onto Round 2

Casey Abrams, the Seth Rogan lookalike, wowed his fellow competitors with a rousing performance. Most likely he will make it to the finals. I can't wait to see more from him. James Durbin proved to be just like Adam Lambert with his style of singing. He really exudes passion onstage. My favorite performance was from Paris Tassin, the single mother with the special needs child, who sang the song by Celine Dion from "Titanic" so beautifully. We initially saw her from the New Orleans audition.

Scott McGreery's voice is unbelievably deep while he sang the same song from his audition. The most over-the-top and craziest performance of all was from Tiffany Rios. She's the Jersey girl who had the very interesting bikini top with the shiny stars strategically placed. It certainly got Steven Tyler's attention. Her brief moment in Hollywood this time got Jennifer Lopez's interest.

All the Others Who Made it to the Next Round in Hollywood

There were a number of people who made it we did not see Thursday night. One of my favorites from the recent San Francisco audition, Emily Anne Reed, was not showcased. I hope to see her in the group round. The White House Intern also made it, but was not shown either. Some of the ones they did show either the judges picked the wrong people or they really choked under the pressure. It was like watching the city auditions all over again. They sounded absolutely awful. It is in the group rounds that "American Idol" turns up the volume on the drama, cattiness and insurmountable stress. When some of these groups come together it's astounding. When they don't it is a disaster.

SOURCES:

American Idol - Official Site for Videos, Photos and Community, American Idol.com

Amy Reiter, "'American Idol' recap: Hollywood dreams stoked and stymied", Show Tracker - Los Angeles Times