It’s another exciting night of American Idol on ABC tonight with an all-new Sunday, February 26, 2023, season 6 episode 2 called “Auditions” and we have your weekly American Idol recap below. On tonight’s American Idol season 6 episode 2 as per the ABC synopsis, “With help from superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation. Emmy® Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest hosts.”
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Tonight’s episode begins with judges Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan back at the judges table. Ryan Seacrest is outside welcome the artists.
Caroline Kole is 25 years old and has lived in Nashville for ten years, and has got a lot of no. She is singing, “Firework” by Katy Perry. Katy sings in and Caroline says this is the coolest thing that has ever happened in her life.
Katy says she was worried that she wouldn’t give her the pay off, but she did. Luke thinks she has all the tools there, but needs to deliver better. Lionel says he loves the smokiness that she has. Katy says she believes that Caroline could be top 24. Three yes votes get Caroline to the next level and a trip to Hollywood.
Jon Wayne Hatfield is 21 years old from Nashville, he is singing an original song, “Tell Me Ray,” after his grandfather who was heartbroken when he lost his wife of fifty years and wouldn’t take to anyone for a year and a half. When he did talk, he told his grandson that he was gay. Katy tells Jon to bring his grandfather in to each him sing.
All the judges give him a standing ovation. Lionel gets up, he brings his handkerchief to his grandfather and tells him that he is a pillar of inspiration. Lionel says great song writing. Luke says he bared his soul, and maybe someone at home dealing with the same stuff, can see that they are not alone. The way he played the guitar, they knew he had something special. Katy calls in authentic and beautiful, he is a song writer. Three yes votes, Jon Wayne is going to Hollywood.
Ashley Tankard is 22 years old from Durham, North Carolina. She grew up with stage fright. She meets the judges and she looks like she is going to faint. She has been trying out for the show since she was 15 years old, at least 15 times. She is singing, “You Broke Me First,” by Tate McCrae.
Katy says great song choice, she has to annunciate the words better. Katy gives her a second chance. Lionel thinks she has to have more confidence. Luke thinks she lost control. Katy thinks it is a challenge, by trying out 15 times, there is no challenge that she cannot face. Katy says yes, Luke says no, Lionel says that he would like her to develop more, a lot of what he sees is fear, but he says yes after Katy convinces him that she is going to fight. Ashley is going to Hollywood.
Cody Winkler 25 years old and is from Marion, Texas and he says he is finer than frog hair. He has been singing his whole life, but thought he wasn’t good enough to do anything. He is going to singing a cappella, “Under A Neon Halo,” by Bill Green. Katy wants to hear it with music. Luke gets up and goes to get his guitar. Luke and Cody are singing, Lionel and Katy dancing. Outside, Cody’s dad has his ear to the door.
Katy tells Cody that he as authentic as it gets. Lionel says he reminds him of a friend of his, Willy Nelson, he doesn’t hit notes, he just sings and he says yes. Katy still thinks there is some work to do, it’s a no from her. Luke says no.
Matt Wilson is 21 years old from Buffalo, New York and he is there with his wife Melissa who encouraged him to audition. He singing “For Tonight,” by Giveon.
Lionel says he is pure and genuine, there is a quality and he loves his presentation. Katy says she is glad that his wife made him audition, he has something. Luke says he is real and should have record deals. Katy calls his wife in. Its a yes from Lionel, a yes from Katy and Luke agrees. Matt is gong to Hollywood.
Kaylin Hedges is 15 years old from New York, and her dad had to deploy so she could live in NY. She doesn’t see her dad often, he missed a lot of things, he missed her birthday since years in a row. She is singing, “I’m Already There” by Lonestar for her dad.
Luke says she did a great job, but he got scared when she used falsetto a lot, but she was ok. Katy tells her that her father sent in a message, he has nothing but pride and admiration for her. And, no matter where he is, he is already there. She turns around and her dad is there. And, her mother doesn’t know that he is there. Mom comes in and she turns around and sees her husband and runs into his arms. The three judges turn around and say they are going to take this up another notch, one person in each city get a platinum ticket, and she gets it. Lionel tells her that she is 15 years old and singes like Streisand.
Aiden Adair is 19 years old from Clover, South Carolina and says he some how made it here and it is completely out of his comfort zone. He is singing, “Break My Heart Again,” by Finneas. Katy wants him to sing some James Bay. Luke tells him to just dig in. He sings “Let It Go,” by James Bay.
Katy tells him that he has moves, he is not shy. Luke loves this moment, they are watching him develop in five minutes. Katy is glad that the pushed himself, he went from a 4 to an 8 in five minutes. Lionel says yes, Luke and Katy are yes as well, he is going Hollywood.
McKayla Stacey is 16 years old and her father came in sixth 16 years ago, his name is Philip Stacey. The morning of his audition, his wife was in labour. Phil has always encouraged his daughter in the music industry. Paula Abdul comes on video to welcome her since she was the judge back them. She is singing “She Used To Be Mine,” Sara Bareilles.
Lionel loved it because she stared him down. He tells her to think when she sings, she is telling a story, it has to come out believable. He tells her that she has a great voice. Katy says she is inexperienced so she is on the fence. Luke says the verse was ok, but the high ends were great. Luke thinks she is a little young this journey, he is a no. Lionel thinks they should roll the dice, he is a yes. Katy is a yes. McKayla is going to Hollywood.
Nutsa is 25 years old from Georgia, the country but lives in Dubai. She has been singing all her life, she felt like was born to sing. She is going to sing “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle.
Katy is standing up, she says there is a voice in there, but maybe it was too hot. Katy then has her sing, “Greatest Love of All,” by Whitney Houston, without performing. Katy says there were some beautiful moments. Lionel says she nailed it. Katy tells her that she has to be her, be real and it could really be something. Lionel says yes. Luke says the JLo from Georgia, it is a yes and Katy gives her yes.
Trey Louis is 21 years old from Sante Fe, Texas. He is singing, “Stone,” by Whiskey Myers.
Luke says he has the perfect voice. Trey says in May 2018 a gunman entered his store, shot the place out and killed a lot of his friends, eight friends were killed and two teachers. Katy breaks down and starts crying, she says our country has failed us, he should be here because he loves singing not because he lost all those friends. Lionel says that the world has tolerated this too long, things have to change. Lionel says it is a yes for him and he can’t wait to see him in Hollywood. Luke is a yes, he is all choked up. Katy thanks him and says yes. He goes up and hugs everyone.
THE END
