Before I get into the Los Angeles Auditions…
Gotta say Happy Birthday to new American Idol Judge Ellen Degeneres, who celebrates her 52nd birthday today! Last season’s Idol runner up Adam Lambert helped Ellen celebrate her bday by performing on her show!
We’ll finally get to see Ellen’s Idol debut during Hollywood Week February 9th.
11,000 hopefuls showed up to the Idol auditions at the Rose Bowl!
Day 1
First guest judge…Avril Lavigne! Still trying to figure out how I feel about her sweatshirt with horns, lol. But hey, to each her own 
Btw, Avril came across to me as the most outspoken of the guest judges so far this season on Idol.
Btw, I’m skipping blogging about all the riff raff auditioners and just focusing on the talented ones who are going to Hollywood…
-Jim Ranger is a 27-year-old worship pastor from Bakersfield, California. He’s been married for 7 years, has 3 kids and seems like a good, wholesome guy. He sang an original song he wrote called “Drive.” I agree with Simon that his voice is very authentic. I like that he doesn’t sound like anyone else and was true to himself and his own talent. Simon & Randy liked him. But I was kind of surprised that Avril & Kara were hesitant to give him the golden ticket because he’s got a family and they weren’t sure how he’d pursue a singing career and still be able to give time to his family and church. In fact, Avril gave him a no. But in the end, Kara sided with Simon & Randy and sent Jim through to Hollywood. Good for him!
-Mary Powers is a 28-year-old singer from Burbank, California. Whoa, this chic sounds really good singing “Love Is A Battlefield” by Pat Benatar. She’s got a strong voice with a nice rasp to it. Simon felt like her rocker style was cliché, but the Idol stylists can fix that problem during the show! She’s going to Hollywood…Good pick!
Day 2
Katy Perry replaced Avril for Day 2 of the Los Angeles auditions. I think it’s really cool that she kicked off her appearance by pointing out how ridiculous it was that Simon, Randy & Kara arrived to the auditions by helicopter. Agreed girl, lol! Btw, they tried to make a big deal about Katy & Kara smack talking each other during the auditions…but Katy & Kara write songs together and are good friends in real life, so I’m willing to bet that they were just being silly for the cameras. And Katy looked absolutely fabulous in her dress!
-Andrew Garcia’s a 23-year-old musician from Moreno Valley, California. He’s also got a wife and kid. He’s the 1st with a sob story of the night. His dad mentioned how he grew up around gangs and how he just wants Andrew to have a different life. Wow, his dad said he was born & raised in Compton…wonder if he knows DJ Quick? Lol. Anyway, he’s got a lovely voice. “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 was a great song choice for him. He really impressed Simon and all the judges and he’s going to Hollywood!
-Tasha Layton is a 26-year-old Personal Assistant by day and Pastor by night from Granada Hills, California. She sang “Baby Baby Baby” by Joss Stone. She’s got a nice texture to her voice…kinda reminds me of Natasha Bedingfield’s sound. All the judges like her, so she’s headed to Hollywood!
-Next & final sob story of the night…25-year-old Shoe Salesman Chris Golightly of Los Angeles grew up in Foster Care his whole life. He estimates that he lived with at least 25 families over his lifetime. Wow, that’s like a different family for each year of his life 
Anyway, he says that that lifestyle could be pretty lonely and that music got him through it. Aww. He sang “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King. He’s got a pretty good voice and he’s got that Justin Guarini look about him. Simon & Katy weren’t that impressed by him, but Kara & Randy loved him. In the end, he got the golden ticket and is headed to Hollywood!
In all, 23 contestants from the Los Angeles auditions are headed to Hollywood. Up next, the Dallas auditions tomorrow with the guest judges Joe Jonas & Neil Patrick Harris!
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