American Idol

Tatiana Del Toro has come from Puerto Rico to San Francisco to audition. Tatiana gives the judges her press kit and tells them she didn't want to just be another girl in Puerto Rico, which is why she came here. She sings Aretha. Simon thinks she picked a bad song, though, and that she does a lot of things well, but not singing. Tatiana sings something else, but she still doesn't win Simon over. Tatiana tries begging with a really melodramatic look instead. Still no dice. She sings again. Paula gives her a yes. She thinks she has a good choice and is fun.

Randy tells Tatiana that she doesn't have the big voice to be an R&B singer. However, he gives her a yes because she's "wild." Kara doesn't think she has the vocals, but she likes Tatiana's vibe. Simon dispenses with the rest of the voting and just sends Tatiana through to Hollywood. After she leaves the room, he makes it clear that he didn't send her through on her voice. Tatiana thinks she's better than everyone else and is going to win.

Dean-Anthony Bradford, wearing a huge plaid coat, says he's a failed entrepreneur. He tells the judges he had a special event production company but "apparently the special events weren't too special." Randy calls his audition torture. Simon doesn't like his hair color, though Dean-Anthony claims it's natural and the carpet matches the drapes. Then he starts to take off the coat and everyone freaks out.

Jesús Valenzuela has a huge family, so it's good that he considers himself a family man. He tells the judges that his kids encouraged him to come audition. He sings some R&B, and though his voice is nice, Simon doesn't think he can win. Kara and Paula would like to put him through anyway. Jesús smartly tries to use the kid card, then brings his two sons in to meet the judges. The younger one, Gabriel, is quite a ham. Simon informs him that Paula said no to his dad. Gabriel hangs his head. Paula denies the allegation.

Akilah Askew-Gohlston is studying how to train as a gospel singer, using biology diagrams. She can't pronounce any of the body parts right. She thinks she's an original artist because of how distinct her voice is. Ryan asks if she thinks it's possible to overprepare for an audition. Akilah says no. She goes into the audition room with her worksheets and greets Randy as Simon. Strike one! Simon tells her she has a "naughty face." Is that good or bad? Akilah sings and Simon tells her it's a bad song choice. She tries "Natural Woman" instead and her voice breaks. Akilah wants to start over and Kara responds, "I want to go to France, but…" Simon mispronounces Akilah's name and tells her that it's just not working. Akilah tries to butter all of the judges up, saying that Simon and Kara are great, and Paula, you know, had a hit song. Paula goes over to her and tells her this isn't in the cards. Kara adds that at least she got to be on TV.

Annie Murdoch plays violin and piano, and can scat. She apparently hasn't picked a song before entering the room. For some reason she settles on "Summertime." Simon tells her it was almost like she was drunk. Annie takes the comments graciously, seeming to believe that she's not that great. Kara asks her to bring any alcohol she might have in for her.
Adam Lambert looks kind of like David Cook. His parents put him in musical theater as a kid because he had a lot of energy and needed an outlet. Adam reveals to the judges that he's been appearing in Wicked for the past year and a half. He sings "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Simon thinks he's a good singer, but theatrical. Kara tries to point out that he should go through on his voice. Randy thinks it's time for someone like Adam, so he should go through. Simon relents and agrees. Kara's ticked that Simon can be so difficult. Even though she agrees that Adam is theatrical, she wants him to go to Hollywood. Paula makes it unanimous. That's when Adam blurts that he saw her in concert when he was ten and loved her.

Kai Kalama is the last auditioner of the day, and also has this week's sympathy-inducing back story. He plays music at night and takes care of his mom, who has a seizure disorder, during the day. Kai would love to buy his mom a house and make sure she's taken care of. He thinks she'll be proud if he gets through to Hollywood, not least because she taught him to sing.

Kai sings "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and yes, he's good. It's an interesting song choice. Simon thinks he has "the personality of a ship singer." Paula thinks he can work on showmanship and stage presence. Kara starts to tell him to stand out, but Simon calls for a vote. Paula warns Kara that she'll learn she can't talk. Kara refuses to shut up and tells Kai that he needs to get his performance level up if he wants to make it past Hollywood. And yes, he will be going to Hollywood. Simon tells Kai to look to him for confidence.