American Idol returns Wednesday night for another round of cross-country auditions. From Los Angeles to Louisville, find out who gets magical, golden tickets to Hollywood when the second round of auditions premieres on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
For a full recap of Sunday's premiere of American Idol, click here.
Episode 2 of American Idol is definitely going to pull at your heartstrings, especially with the numerous stories of contestants who overcame all odds to perform in front of the panel of judges: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. Who will become the second batch of musicians who go to Hollywood? Well, one of them is a nonchalant guitarist and singer Alejandro Aranda.
Singing an original song, Aranda rocked the judges' worlds as he tickled his guitar strings, leaving judge Lionel Richie "inspired."
"That was the greatest — you, my friend, are so talented," Richie said at the conclusion of Aranda's audition. "I'm so inspired."
As the young musician kept a humble composure, his eyes began to redden with tears as judges showered him with compliments.
"I feel like I'm in the presence of greatness," Bryan said. "I am so glad that you are here. It was like watching my favorite movie that I did not want to end."
"I think you're really special, I think you're an absolute genius," judge Katy Perry added.
"I don't think I want to see anybody else," Bryan interjected. "I will not sleep until I watch him perform again."
"You have such a career, and the fact that you don't know it, makes it even more special," Richie concluded. "There's nothing like you, my friend."
Courtney Penry
While Wednesday's episode was not the first time Country Penry has graced the American Idol audition stage, she came more mentally, emotionally and vocally prepared this time around. Showing her "extra" personality through her rendition of "Parachute" by Chris Stapleton, Penry gave a second, more emotional performance of "Girl Crush" by Little Big Town–winning her a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Logan Johnson
Detailing his struggle with drug addiction, Boise-native Logan Johnson performed "Sober" by Demi Lovato. It was quite evident that not only were the judges moved by his story, but by his Timberlake-esque vocals.
While it's not usual for a contestant's family to join them in the audition room before the vote, Johnson was able to be surrounded by his loving and supportive family as he got three "yes" votes and a ticket to Hollywood.
"Logan, congratulations. You've worked really hard," Perry said. "You've earned this–it's a yes."
"Know that you have three more people in your support group as well," Richie added. "It's a yes from me."
Eddie Island
Coming from Nashville, Eddie Island came into Idol's audition room with an infectious smile and an original song. With a googly-eyed guitar, Island graced the judges with his cool-guy tone and insane talent.
Kason Lester
A strawberry farmer looking to make his passion for music as a career, Kason Lester debuted on American Idol with his rendition of "Holding Her" by Chris Janson.
"I really like the growl in the voice," Richie said. "I like you."
"I think he's Top 10," Perry said.
While two judges were completely on board with Lester, Bryan didn't seem to be on the same page. While the country singer judge didn't think Lester "sold it" with his guitar playing, it was his voice that seemed to push him over to a "yes" vote.
"You gotta hone in on your signature sound," Bryan said.
Jake Durkin, Cory Young & Betsy Jo
While these three contestants didn't get much of an introduction into American Idol, Jake Durkin, Cory Young and Betsy Jo all got their own tickets to Hollywood.
It looked like Perry was a bit awe-struck by Durkin, but she complimented him on his sound.
"Your temperature is rising," Bryan joked toward Perry.
"I'm liking the rasp," Richie said.
"We don't wanna let you go," Bryan said. "You're amazing."
Juan Pablo
Rescuing the judges from a "lull" of previous auditions, Juan Pablo came into the audition room with spirit and "drama." Singing a song that can be translated as a "painful, sad, love-making song."
"If you can stand there and have people come to you, that's power," Richie said.
Shayy
Just a year prior, the young singer was told she had a tumor in her brain making her optic nerve begin to swell. After 50 percent of the tumor was surgically removed, Shayy was legally blind and experienced bullying after she returned to school.
"I began to ask my mom why this happened to me," Shayy said to the camera.
Despite her hardships, the young singer found the positives in life and gave the judges a beautiful rendition of Andra Day's "Rise Up," bring judge Richie to tears.
"You've completely wrecked me," Richie said.
Landen Knowlton
Army Sergeant Landen Knowlton loosened up his nerves by "pulling out the knife hand" and drilling the panel of judges. Despite being dressed in a knee-length leather coat and heels, Perry learned what a real push up looked like and how to properly At Ease.
Through his rendition of "Washed By The Water" by NEEDTOBREATHE, he got three "yes" votes from the judges.
"You've got a real voice," Bryan said. "You've got a soul in your voice that is natural and real. I think people will really buy into it."
Ethan Payne
Fighting cystic fibrosis since he was 18 months old, the 15-year-old country singer "never ever saw singing in [his] future." Two years ago, Ethan Payne got the chance to meet Bryan for the first time through the Make A Wish Foundation.
"There's no cure for [cystic fibrosis,] but singing is my cure," Payne said to the judges.
With the guitar Bryan gave to him in hand, Payne asked the country singer to join him in a duet.
"He came to Texas to show me up and now he's on American Idol to show me up," Bryan joked.
"You, young man, are an inspiration," Richie said. "I'm hoping that the whole world understands what they're watching here."
"Ethan, I love your confidence," Perry said.
Find out who will receive the next batch of golden tickets when American Idol returns Sunday on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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