Auditions #6: Portland - Recap

The auditions continue and this time they are in Portland, Oregon. This is the first time that the American Idol stage has been to Portland and the thousands waiting in line, are happy to have been given the chance to show them what they can do. The judges arrive in the auditorium and get ready to listen to the talent that is going to come in and audition.

Brittany Zika is up first for the night and she says that she loves to sing and that she got to sing with Sara Bareilles on stage. She comes up to the judges and trips a little. She says that she is called “Tripster the Hipster”. She sings and she is pretty good. Jennifer says that she has one of the most beautiful voices they have heard. Randy says that he loved it. They have her take off the big glasses and hat and see the real Brittany. They vote and put her through to Hollywood with no problems. She runs out and is happy that she got through.

Next up is Ben Purdom and he says that he is a little sick and that he isn’t going to be able to get into his upper registrar. He goes in and says that he is going to sing “Born This Way”. However, when he starts singing, it is no good at all. He stops himself and asks to sing a different song and starts singing “Super Bass”. However, that is bad too. They tell him that it is not good enough and that it is a no. Ben goes out of the room and says that he wasn’t able to get to his falsetto tone. The show plays with it and speeds up Ben’s singing in a Chipmunk style to show his “falsetto” tone.

Jermaine Jones is next and he says that he has been singing since he was born and his mother says that the world needs to know his voice. Jermaine says that it is his time now. He comes up and sings “Superstar”. He is really good and afterward, the judges love it. Randy says that he is unique and Jennifer says that he has to loosen up a bit. They vote and it is a yes from all three of them. Jermaine gets his ticket and calls his mom. She is ecstatic on the phone.

Up next is Britnee Kellogg and she is a single mother of two boys. She says that she was married to a basketball player and was never allowed to pursue her dream as a singer. She says that she is going to sing “Your No Good”. She is pretty good. Afterward, Randy says that he loved the attitude and Jennifer says that she loved the tone. They vote her through to Hollywood. Britnee asks how Jennifer raises her kids while being a singer. Jennifer says that the kids are never forgotten and they are fine.

Sam Gershman is next and Randy is confused by her name. She says that her father is named Ira. She says that she is going to sing “I’m a Woman”. She is very expressive in her singing and a little over the top. Steven asks if she could be a little bit perkier. He says that it is a little Broadway. Randy says that she isn’t ready for Idol. She walks out saddened.

Next is David Weed and he says that he is going to sing “Tom Sawyer”. He starts and it is over the top and squeaky. They are a little speechless to his singing and are unsure what to make of it. They vote and they vote no to David going to Hollywood.

Up next is Romeo Diahn and he is a Liberian Refugee. He sings and it is pretty good. They love the flavor, but Jennifer is worried that the song choices are going to be hard for him. They vote and they put him through to Hollywood. Jennifer tells him that it is a "tiny yes" from her based on her fear.

Naomi Gillies is up next and she says that she wants to sing one of Steven’s songs. She sings “Crying” and she is really good. Jennifer says that she loved it and loved how she belted it out. They judges say yes to her and give her the ticket to Hollywood.

Ben Harrison is next and he is very energetic. He says that he is going to sing “Somebody To Love” by Queen. He is “interesting”. He sings in a falsetto tone and the judges don’t like it. Randy doesn’t really understand what it was.

The last audition for the night is Jessica Phillips. She tells the judges that her boyfriend had a massive stroke and when he woke up, he didn’t know who she was. She has been taking care of him to teach him again how to speak again. She sings “Again” by Faith Evans and she is pretty good. Afterward, Randy says that he likes her and Jennifer loves her tone. They vote her through to Hollywood. That is it for Portland, Oregon and in total, 45 Golden Tickets were handed out! Next week, the auditions come to a close in St. Louis, Missouri!

Written By David Sibert

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