The American Idol Season 8 judges round wrapped up this week in Kansas City MO. Contestants chosen in this final round compete in the Hollywood Round coming up before the end of the year. I’ve got a clip here from the local FOX affiliate, and in it, the judges divulge their final thoughts on this season’s auditions.
Salt Lake City is mentioned by both Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell as a city with strong talent. “There were a couple of people…girls I saw in Salt Lake City who I like…they stand out to me,” says Simon, “One girl with tattoos I liked.” Randy rattles off Salt Lake City, Phoenix and Puerto Rico as cities that were “hot.” Interesting that Randy mentions Puerto Rico, considering only 300 would-be contestants initially showed up there to audition.
Will the next Idol come from Salt Lake City, Phoenix or Puerto Rico? Or will a contestant come totally out of nowhere and take the prize?
Not coming out of nowhere–his brother made it to 4th place Season 7–is Michael Castro, Jason Castro’s little brother. Both make an appearance in the FOX clip–Jason accompanied Michael to his Kansas City audition in front of the judges as morale support.
No word yet on whether Michael advanced to Hollywood…
thanks for the tip, mila!
Watch the video clip after the JUMP…
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Like I said last year, Michael Castro and Andrew Cook FTW! haha
Can we say built in fanbase? LOL
Ok in that screencap, Michael looks like Neil from the Real World London to me. Haha! (don’t make fun of me I used to love that show)
Little brother? For some reason, I thought Michael was older. Very interesting. Starting to look forward to Season 8! :)
According to his myspace, Michael is 20 (it’s set to private so didn’t hear him sing). Looks like a little sister also, Jackie (her myspace is down for routine maintenance but I would assume it’s private also, wonder if she sings).
I would like to think that he makes it to Hollywood because he can sing and not because he is someones brother
Hmmmmm….wonder how far he went?
Somehow, the siblings advancing on Idol doesn’t work for me. It always seems that they would have an unfair advantage.
The little sister is only 13. Michael and Jason are only a year apart. I’m guessing Michael won’t make it any further than Hollywood. I’ll be shocked if Randy and Simon approve putting another Castro in the Top 24. They had enough issues with the first one.
Gee, he didn’t have that red in his hair last time I saw him in a video. Looks like Jason’s face paired with David Cook’s audition hair. LOL
I hope he got through to Hollywood. It would be interesting to see how his singing style compares to Jason’s. I don’t see how having a brother that the judges had mixed feelings about would give him an advantage during Hollywood Week and the auditions.
I was thinking the same thing about Cook’s audition hair. I’m curious about Michael’s singing, too. Most Idol siblings don’t make it very far. I think they may have a better chance to get in front of the judges, though.
ETA: Hopefully, even if he doesn’t make it to Hollywood they will show his audition, unlike Jason’s. If only for the storyline…
The only advantage I could see for a sibling during the audition rounds is it is probably enough to get a face to face with the judges, if for no other reason than it makes good televison. It also could be an advantage if the judges loved the original sibling.
In this case, I don’t see the advantage since Randy never liked Jason and Simon was perpetually disappointed with him. If anything I would think it would put Jason’s brother at a disadvantage.
brie, I don’t think Randy calls the shots on who makes the top 24. I don’t think Simon does either (although he have more of a say… especially this year, since he’s taking a more active role). I think it’s the producers. The Hollywood shenanegans are just that, IMO. The show is cast.
I do agree that Randy never liked Jason too much, but that’s just Randy. He likes what he likes. Belters and rockers.
Also, does anyone know if mCas has any experience? Has he been in a band? Sang in public? Practiced songs?
Plus, Michael seems to have embraced Jason’s “slacker” persona, which of course, went over very well with the judges.
Maybe he’s sung in public SIX times!
LOL, Prime. Maybe they are just slackers. ;-) mCas (yes, I’m going there, ’cause it’s easy) acted the same on Idol Extra when Jason got the boot. Of course, he also claimed he’d never try out for Idol, if memory serves.
Good luck to Michael. At least he made it to the judges. He had to get past the production assistants and the producers to get to the judges. Hopefully he will make it to Top 24. Jason has said several times that Michael sings better than he does. I think that their singing styles will be very different.
Is it not relative unlikely that when they release the footage now, that he has gotten very far.
Because I always thought it is not aloud to give out the information if you get in?
You mean after the “mistreatment” of Jason during his season, his brother not only auditions but Jason actually accompanies him? Which is a bit odd. Hmm, maybe Idol wasn’t so terrible to the Castros after all. I guess bro will be working an entirely different hairdo.
Yeah Strange. It’s seems like they really wanted that American Idol brother story line to continue. Andrew Cook backed out so they found someone else.
I don’t have a problem with Jason’s brother, or anyone else’s brother, sister, cousin, etc. auditioning. It’s not that other person’s fault that someone else happened to do well before them. Plus, they could be completely different. Take Jessica and Ashlee Simpson for instance. They have both had hit albums in the past, but are really pretty different in style and have different fan bases. It could make the show more interesting! Which it needs, desperately.
Good luck to Michael. People will compare him to Jason, though. Jason is way better looking, so Michael is going to have to be a way, way better singer.
For every Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, there are hundreds of Barbra Streisands and her sister–can’t remember her name–who is an awesome singer, but no Babs. But, I’m being negative. Livingston Taylor makes a living with singing.
OK, I am reading too much into this tiny clip, but dude! That hair cannot be an accident!
Damn, I was chatting with a bud and we agreed that based on past seasons, at least one or more contestants would take exactly the wrong lesson from David Cook’s win. That they would think, hey, I should cover similar alt-rock bands to those he modeled on, make a big deal of playing the guitar, or even “I should kick things off by talking back to Simon and getting a good scolding.”
Instead of the actual lessons (IMHO!)
* be original, yet very good
* be yourself, even if said self doesn’t fit into any easy box (you big, lovable goofball emo rocker, you)
* be born with a big huge enormous voice and learn to use it well
I didn’t think someone would literally copy Cook’s hairstyle, one that the dude himself later laughed at in a “what was I thinking” way.
Children, children! That *never* works! None of the first, or second place finalists has been a close copy of a previous one. Cook’s victory has pretty much sealed it that to triumph this year, you have to be original in some *other* way.
And Archie was so good at what *he* does that he may actually have demolished the hopes of other, lesser adorable teenage boys for years to come!
maturin, Michael isn’t copying anyone. If you have followed Jason at all you would know that Michael has always had some sort of “streak” in his hair. Early pictures showed red, blonde and blue I believe. He has always had an edgier/harsher look than Jason. It is obvious by your post that many people who don’t know “of” him before now will come to that same false conclusion-that’s a shame. Now he may be at a disadvantage not only from comparisons to Jason but with people drawing that comparison with Cook. All 3 of the Casto children are musical, Jackie, the 14 yr old sister, has a very pretty voice and actually has the most personality-she is a hoot and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was snapped up by Disney or some other group for a “teen” sitcom.
I’ve been told tat he has NEVER sang in public. He’s only sung aroun family and friends, bt from what I hear he does have a good voice.
There were TONS of interviews with Cook at EVERY stage of the auditions. From the first time all through the judges. All standing on te AI audition soil…However, they NEVER thought he would make it to the top 12, let alone win.
I hope my post doesn’t sound accusatory maturin, I didn’t mean it that way.
I suppose comparisons will always be made to past contestants and the general public (non AI crazies like me
)won’t know a thing about Michael and will think the same way you and your friend did. Nothing we can do about that unfortunately. I guess that is the risk MC is going to have to take by going through with this process. I hope it doesn’t “cloud” anyones judgment on his “talent”
He sort of looks like Keanu Reeves. Maybe he’s The One?
I think comparision is one reason Andrew Cook decided not to audition for Idol this year. Everything he said or did would be compared to how David said or did it last year. Then there would be the inevitable questions about David; “What’s he doing now?” What does he think of your being here?” “Does he like the song you picked” . . .etc. It takes someone really unaware or not concerned with the public’s perception to take on such a role. Come to think of it, Jason often seemed like he didn’t let it get the best of him last year, so maybe his brother is blessed with that same ability. I’m just surprised any sibling would want to walk in their brother or sister’s shadow.
Autumn - No prob! I did also did not intend to hurt the feelings of Clan Castro. Perhaps it shows my elderly 40something misunderstanding of the young ones.
I did not think two good looking young men could separately reach the same decision to wear their hair Like That !!!!!!!
Shows what I know. Good luck to the young man. I certainly enjoyed Jason on the show.
Michael has always, or at least since the beginning of Jason’s AI journey, had that type hair. It’s certainly not something that was done to copy Cook.
Call me crazy, but all this video tells me is Mcas got in front of the judges, which I think is partly just for the entertainment factor. I don’t think we can assume much beyond that.
It would be a shame if people thought that Michael was copying Cook’s hairstyle since Michael had his hair like that long before Cook. I like the red, but I also liked the blue, purple and blond that he has had in his hair. Michael is definitely his own person.
Jason has never publicly said anything negative about the show or about anyone on the show. He just did not let the harshness get to him. Apparently he viewed the experience as an overall positive one. Michael witnessed Jason’s experience and apparently he felt that he should give it a shot since he loves music. Whether or not he makes it, at least he tried. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If AI doesn’t work out, he can always just continue his college education. (Or he could do cage fighting full time. LOL. Hope not. It looked painful, but damn…)
“”Come to think of it, Jason often seemed like he didn’t let it get the best of him last year, so maybe his brother is blessed with that same ability. I’m just surprised any sibling would want to walk in their brother or sister’s shadow.”"
I dont think it is in Jasons shadow - it would be sad if Michael held back and did not try just because his brother already did. Jason has always said that Michael had the better voice than him. I am excited for Michael and the family and hope it works out well for them. Of course Jason is there with him, they are very close and I think that whole family is blessed in the way the interact and seem to love each other so much.
Michael is the only reason I would ever watch that show again. I had been planning to ignore it. I might just tune in to hear Michael sing.
AI is all about casting and controversy. Michael certainly has the hair-do for AI, and his good looks and photogenic quality will get him a long way. He already has a built-in voting fan base. I bet he’ll have the highest votes of anyone on the first night of voting. While other people are still gathering a following, his following already own 2 cell phones and are dialing with both hands.
I’m not saying every single one of Jason’s fans will vote for Michael, but I believe the family has a lot of support, and a lot of people will rally right out of the starting gate.
I have the impression Michael is going to be more along the same singing style as Danny Noriega.
Jackie just turned 13 years old in July. She is a good singer. She sang with Jason on one song at an appearance before he was on AI. She’s very smart and very sweet.
I love the way they support each other. They all seem to actually have a good time being together.
If Michael is on the show, I will watch and vote. I will probably stop when he leaves unless someone else grabs my attention quickly.
Here’s some old pics/vids of Michael with the blue streak in his hair - maybe Cook copied Michaels look?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrXCqzpH-8Y
“Michael certainly has the hair-do for AI, and his good looks and photogenic quality will get him a long way. He already has a built-in voting fan base. I bet he’ll have the highest votes of anyone on the first night of voting.”
Good looks, check. Hair do, check. Built in voting fan base because they like your brother, check. Talent, who knows. Sorry, but I don’t like those reasons to root for Jason’s brother to advance. More like reasons why he shouldn’t.
I don’t think MCas is the first Idol sibling to try out. I’m pretty sure Fantasia’s brother did, and there could be more. Time will tell how far he makes it or if he’s any good. I can’t say if I’ll vote for him or not. I’ll judge him on his own merits if he makes it that far.
If he did make it to Hollywood, he’d be smart to try to get a couple of gigs under his belt in the meantime.
No we sure cannot assume any more than that, and I havent be able to find out anything further on him passing the judges round or anything.
Yes, Ricco Barrino tried out for Season 7, I believe. He didn’t make it past Hollywood. So far, other than the horrendous Brittenum brothers, who auditioned together (what a waste) and Jessie and Becky O’Donohue (only Becky was on the show), those are the only siblings I recall.
I think being Jason’s brother definitely helped to get him in front of the judges, but I don’t think it will be much more of a benefit to him. Getting in front of the judges is enough to carry the story to teevee. I think he’ll have to advance based on his own merit from there. I do hope they show his audition because, as a Jason fan, I’m interested in hearing his brother sing.
If he is good I will vote for him not just because he is Jasons brother, but, I will give him more of a chance than I did Jason at the beginning. I didnt start voting or really paying attention to Jason until after SOTR. So, in that way being Jasons brother is a good thing, but after that he is all on his own. Geeesh - listen to me, he might not even make it that far!
STUNNING complexion, stunning smile, gorgeous exotic eyes, sexy speaking voice…..stuuupid hair. lol.
Wonder whether he’ll make it to or even past Hollywood. If according to Jase, Michael is the better singer, this will be V interesting.
Suddenly I’m interested in the show again.
I’m a little surprised that Michael would follow so soon after Jason. Of course, he’s getting publicity, but think he might have a better chance of being judged on his own, if he waited. The Castros really do strike me as such a great family, so supportive of each other, and happy to share in each other’s activities.
I hope — as some have said — that Michael’s music is different enough from Jason’s so he won’t be compared too much to his brother. I’d like to see him flesh out his own identity.
I’ll be interested to see how Michael fares. I expect to see him in front of the judges on the strength of his name alone. Hope he’s good enough and different enough to go the rest of the way on his own.
Chris Sligh’s brother auditioned last year, but just made it to the judges rounds.
Michael plays guitar too. Must be a Castro requirement since he, Jason, his dad and his five uncles all sing and play the guitar. LOL.
He really has been great with fans who have met him or talked with him online. That’s one reason that lots of people already like him for himself, not just because he’s Jason’s brother.
He also plays the uke, lol. Any guitarist could though I assume.
& I think the drums….I remember reading something about Jason giving away his drumkit to him - or something? Probably got my facts wrong. Alas, he cannot play piano. Jason has him beat ;)
I don’t know much about Michael aside from the fact that he cagefights, has thick skin, is hilarious in a blunt, snarky way and usually quiet at first around new people. No idea what his singing style is like. Hopefully he’ll make it past Hollywood.
In an online conversation, Michael said that he liked to sing songs by The Used because he could hit the notes the singer hits. I think that they are a rock band but I don’t listen to rock so I have never heard them.
I saw the video of Michael with his uke. He had so much fun playing Jason’s that he bought his own. LOL. I didn’t know that Jason played the piano. Cool.
It will be interesting to see which musical style Michael will choose.
Am I the only one that notices how nasal he speaks? Would sure hope his singing voice could get past that. His hair “style” is horrible imo and makes his nose look longer, but maybe AI can do something about the hair. I covered up his hair in that picture with my hands, and it did make an improvement. Dunno. At this point, I just can’t get excited about Michael, even if he is Jasonnn’s bro.
Now that you’ve pointed it out JudyOhio, I hear it.
& agreed: awful hair. It’s so…….parrot.
The first time I ever saw a shot of Michael, I thought “ughhh, POSER” but he did grow on me for some reason. Have a feeling he won’t make it too far though.
Yes, I thought the same thing. I will be interested in seeing how well he sings.
I loved [sic] Randy on the Larry King Show. Jason coming in at #1 in the poll made my day.
Good to hear from you sumidol.