Final 30 "American Idol" Wannabees Make It Through Hollywood Week
Don't cry out loud - Harry Connick Jr.'s opening words must have made the contestants quite anxious.
American Idol is just about to get good – this week finally ends the auditions round and the final 30 are revealed. First-time judge Harry Connick Jr. opened with a sobering message to the remaining constestants – don’t cry out loud. Connick told Idol hopefuls to stay calm, only he put it differently: "This is show business… suck it up," he told them.
Harry Connick Jr. began by giving contestants some harsh, but honest advice.
Then he and his fellow judges proceeded to whittle down the contestants to the final lineup, which includes the show’s very first openly gay participant in the outspoken MK Nobilette. Took them long enough. Anyway, here are some highlights from the night. Emily Piriz kicked things off behind the piano with "Stars" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, which earned her cheers from the audience, as well as judges Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez. Jillian Jensen, who might be familiar from her unsuccessful X Factor run, made it through auditions as well. Tuba player Malaya Watson provided some much needed quirkiness and also made the cut, as did Jess Meuse, beating Jesse Roach in a tense sing-off.
Continue reading: Final 30 "American Idol" Wannabees Make It Through Hollywood Week