Mariah wipes her tears after "spectacular" audition
Tantrums were replaced by tears on Thursday's American Idol when an unemployed teenager brought the house down in Louisiana. After weeks of catfights between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, judges managed to put their feuding aside for a round of soulful auditions in Baton Rouge.
By far the strongest act of the night was 19-year-old Burnell Taylor, the last act to perform on the bayou. Coming from a musical family in New Orleans, Burnell described how he lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. "It was an eye-opener and it made me appreciate the things that I do have," said the humble teenager.
Wearing a pair of turquoise shorts, Burnell sang I'm Here from The Color Purple - a film about the life of black females in the south during the 1930s. The poignant performance was too much for mum-of-twins Mariah, who openly wept. "Burnell made me cry, Burnell's tone is ridiculous," said the multi-platinum artist, as she wiped away her tears. "I loved it... I don't even want to..." she stuttered. "I felt every word you sang. Just spectacular," added the 42-year-old Glitter performer.
Nicki agreed: "That is what we came for. I feel like we have been driving all around this country looking for that thing, that thing that can't even be put into words, the thing that gives you chills and goose bumps," she exclaimed. "Somewhere there is a spotlight that is waiting for you to walk into it," said Keith Urban, who was grinning widely and cheering throughout the performance. Getting a standing ovation and "the most enthusiastic yes of the day", Burnell went through to the next round in Hollywood.
Earlier "Miss Baton Rouge" beauty queen Megan Miller made a great impression by showing up with on crutches with a broken leg. "I actually have to go to surgery after this," said the smiling 22-year-old from Ethel, Louisiana. "I'll let the leg fall off before I miss my American Idol audition," she joked.
While singing Etta James' Something's Got A Hold On Me, the confident performer made the judges chuckle by using her crutch as a microphone. "I like this girl. Entertaining," said Randy Jackson, who was pleased to be holding auditions in his home state. "I thought you were going to sing Lean On Me," joked Keith. "I wish you could have moved around a bit more, but that's fine," quipped the country singer good-naturedly. Nicki and Mariah also loved her performance and the injured beauty left for hospital with a golden ticket.
Also getting four "Yeses" was "socially awkward" Charlie Askew, who told judges that music helps him to come out of his shell. "I am just really bad at communicating," said Charlie from Little Rock, Arkansas, who likes to play guitar and mediate in the lotus position. The curly-haired 17-year-old sang the intro of Breakthru by Queen and Nature Boy by Nat King Cole.
Wide-eyed Nicki, who always appears to favour the underdog oddballs, was "blown away". "I mean woah!" she said. "My darling, I really like you. I like your spirit," she added before nicknaming him "Mystery Man". Randy was also impressed: "You are this seemingly dark, strange, but cool man," he said. "Your voice is not of a gender," said Keith referring to his ability to hit high notes. "I mean that in the most complimentary way. Like Bowie or something," he added.
|  | | Behind-the-scenes: Mariah was already camera-ready as she tinkered with Randy's make-up | | Maddy Assel was nominated by surprise by her grandmother Sylvia. The 17-year-old from Centreville, Virginia, was plucked from New Orleans' Jackson Square for the auditions. She sang a very operatic version of Oh! Darling by The Beatles. "You got some power there," Nicki told the bespectacled student. "I like your confidence," said Mariah before the panel unanimously voted her through to Hollywood. Backstage, grandma Sylvia appeared to be getting a little bit frisky with host Ryan Seacreast. "I want to kidnap you and take you home with me," she whispered to him as they hugged for Maddy's victory.
Paul Jolley from Palmersville, Tennessee, believes that singing is his "calling in life". After a teary backstory about his granddad's recent death, the 22-year-old sales assistant sang I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts. Nicki, who seemed far less feisty than in previous shows nodded her approval. "I like your vibe and the fact that you have a sparkle in your eye as well," she said. "It was a great, well-crafted vocal performance," said Keith. "People will love you," said Mariah who was dressed in a skintight blue dress and also seemed more placid than usual.
Bleach blonde man mountain Chris Barthel, claimed to have an alter ego and was promptly nicknamed "Mushroom" by Nicki. He sang If I Had You by Adam Lambert. "Mushroom will perform for you tonight," he announced before launching into a spirited dance routine which had the panel in stitches. "Go Mushroom," said Randy. "I like the keys that song was in," joked Keith - referring to his abominable voice control. "You are a sweet guy but I don't think this is your thing," he added. In her usual habit of nurturing the quirkiest contestants Nicki offered to "bless" the poor singer. "I feel like if I run my hand through your hair one time you will be blessed forever," she said. "Will you let me do that?" she asked beckoning him over.
Mushroom got four thumbs down but he seemed pleased with his "blessing" and happily skipped offstage, clapping himself as he went. "She gave me this little tiger rub and I'm the first person she ever did that to," he exclaimed backstage.
It's rare to see a doctor on American Idol and Rehabilitation Physician Dr Calvin Peters from Fort Worth, Texas, was a huge hit. "They call me the singing doctor at work," said the soulful 27-year-old, who is not long out of medical school. "I think you are very handsome," said Mariah after the doctor sang Whenever Wherever Whatever Lyrics by Maxwell. "I really like you a lot," she added, looking a little gooey eyed. The melodic medic was unanimously sent to Hollywood. "Takes a brave man to sing Maxwell," praised Keith.
A fail came from Retail Management worker Alissa Griffin, who attempted the notoriously difficult (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. "No!" the panel shouted in unison.
Providing eye and ear candy was burly firefighter Dustin Watts. The sleepy-eyed hunk instantly got Nicki hot under the collar. "You got a girlfriend?" she asked before he sang She's Every Woman by Garth Brooks. "I think you're doing it with ease, and you look like a county star," said Nicki as the panel sent him to the next level.
Next week the team will go to Texas for the fourth round of auditions. (Mail Online)
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