American Idol 2025 Auditions Recap – We’re Live Blogging More Auditions
American Idol season 23 continues tonight (March 16) with judges auditions from Nashville, Los Angeles and New York City. Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, joins veterans Lionel RIchie and Luke Bryan on the judges panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts. Who will make it through to the Hollywood Round? We’re live blogging here.
American Idol 2025 Contestant Preview: Ones to Watch
American Idol 2025 Spoilers: Top 24 Season 23 Contestant List & Song Picks
The show opens with Carrie Underwood walking the backroads of her Oklahoma hometown. Her mom is glad she’s home. “This place will always hold a piece of my heart,” Carrie says.
Landry Champlin – 23 – Good Girl by Carrie Underwood
She’s been singing since she was a kid. As an 11 year old, she covered Carrie for a live show show “Grapevine Opry” in Texas. She’s a pageant coach! SIDENOTE. My niece recently won Miss Pennsylvania International! How about that? Landry is very bold, asking Carrie to sing “Good Girl” with her. She does some backgrounds from the judges table. Landry has a big growly voice. REALLY GROWLY.
Carrie feels Landry made the song her own “You held your own.” Lionel loved her delivery and voice. “Great start, great vibe,” says Luke noting her “big voice, big range.” – 3 yeses
Victor Solomon – 28 – Hello by Lionel Richie
Victor should sound familiar. He competed on The Voice a few seasons ago. He’s singing Lionel Richie’s “Hello.” Interestingly, auditioning with a song by one of the panel is a bit he also pulled out for his season 20 Blind Audition. He sang John Legend’s “Glory” and wound up on his team.
Like Legend, Lionel is impressed by Victor’s soulful interpretation of his own song. “That was really really special” he says. Luke calls him “really good” and Lionel adds that he’s “Top 20.” Carrie adds, “You have an incredible gift. Victor’s segment is short. He does not get a video package. – 3 yeses
Isaiah Moore – 22 – Where the Wild Things Are by Luke Combs
Isaiah was supposed to be on his honeymoon. But instead, he’s auditioning for American Idol. His wife insisted upon it. One of his brothers lives with him. Their grandparents raised them as their mom struggled with substance abuse. Three years ago mom got clean and they are currently working on their relationship. His brother was supposed to be at his audition, but Isaiah hints he’s got his own problems with substances. He dedicates audition song to him.
Isaiah accompanies himself on guitar as he delivers a heartfelt rendition of the Luke Combs hit. He’s not a standout singer, but he allows himself to be vulnerable as he tells an emotional story.
The judges also felt the emotion. “I enjoyed your performance,” says Lionel. Carrie suggests the family join him in the room to hear the happy verdict. – 3 yeses
Grayson Torrence – 21 – Fall in Line by Christina Aguilera ft Demi Lovato
The first time American Idol aired was when she was born, she says. The singer possesses a rangy voice that evokes female diva singers of the 90s and aughts.
Luke calls it his favorite audition of the day. Carrie wants her to become even more comfortable–not thinking about her vocal. Lionel believes she is going places – 3 yeses
Brajawn Upshaw – 21 – lovely by Billie Eilish and Khalid
ABC previewed this audition yesterday. Brajawn is a postal worker. His mom signed him up for the show. The singer shares that he has held himself back due to confidence problems. But after watching a Luke Bryan documentary, he was inspired to work harder to achieve his dreams.
Brajawn is obviously inexperienced. His enunciation and tuning need work. But his tone is pretty as he loses himself in the lyrics.
Luke describes him as captivating. “You have a beautiful voice.” But Carrie wants him to throw caution to the winds. Lionel calls him a “vibesmaster.” Brajawn begs the panel to give him a chance. Lionel says No. Luke is a believer and says yes. Carrie breaks the tie and says yes. Luke is so relieved he falls off his chair. – 1 no 2 yeses
Kase Tippens – 14 – Wondering Why by The Red Clay Strays
The judges turn this young country singer from Oklahoma down, remarking that he’s not ready yet. No worries. He’ll show up on The Voice in a few years. Carrie gives him a big pep talk before he leaves. The “It’s just not your time” pep talk. Heh. The audition kicks off a montage of tearful “NO HOLLYWOOD FOR YOU” moments.
Mikaela Bautista – 23 – Saving All My Love For You by Whitney Houston
Her dad is a singer in the Philippines. He performs Filipino folk music. She explains that American Idol is his dream too. Currently she’s living in California and working with children.
Singing Whitney Houston on competition shows is usually problematic. But Mikaela doesn’t oversing. She performs with subtlety and nuance. But she also hits those spicy high notes when appropriate. It’s a confident audition.
However, Carrie felt she had nervous moments. This is weird. Why are the judges being so negative? Lionel is a bit iffy but says yes. Carrie wants more connection. She says no. Hilarious, because at 21 Carrie was ALL big pipes and blond hair. The emotion part absolutely needed some work. Luke says yes. Geez. Dad and family enter the room and he introduces himself with a little rendition of “Hello.” Next Mikaela and dad sing “The Prayer” together which prompts Carrie to change her vote to yes. – 3 yeses
Bryson Quick – 17 – Time by Pink Floyd
He’s a high school senior from Tennessee. His sister has a disease that limits her mobility. His dad Alex has met Luke while working as a fishing guide. Bryson gigs around his local town.
It’s the first time I’ve ever heard Pink Floyd covered with a heavy twang. It’s not countrified so much as sung with a major drawl. Nevertheless, it’s a bold song choice. He could have just covered Chris Stapleton, right? He’s not old enough to even know Pink Floyd (fishing dad is probably a fan).
Carrie likes that he brought himself into a Pink Floyd song. Lionel feels the singer has a “storyteller voice.” Luke compares hims to American Idol Season 19 winner Chayce Beckham. – 3 yeses
Bryson plays the Opry
After the judges send him to Hollywood, Luke sets Bryson up to play the Grand Ole Opry. Ryan breaks the news to him and that very night he plays the venue! Chayce is also on the bill and the two duet on his hit song and coronation single “23.” Oh boy!
Carsen Webb – 16 – Lose control by Teddy Swims
In his video package, teen singer Carsen spends A LOT of time on his hair. He works at the local barbeque place where he lives in North Carolina. He also teaches line dancing and clogging. Before his audition he shows the judges how to clog. HILARITY ENSUES.
Carsen is 16 and speaks and sings with an unusually high pitched tone. For that reason, his sound is all his own. He’s soulful and powerful and sings with abandon. He’s not afraid to do the “ugly face.”
After a long pause, Luke blurts out, “You’re amazing.” Carrie loves his personality and outlook. She suggests that he pick songs that fit his voice and age. Lionel warns him not to present himself in a gimmicky way. – 3 yeses
MKY – 25 – Oh Baby Baby by The Miracles –
He comes from a musical family who are of Chicano heritage, but mostly sing soul music. The Motown song he picks has been performed by his father and uncle. He easily swoops into a falsetto. His beautiful baritone is effortless.
His grandfather, Mike Jimenez, also a singer, passed away a few years ago. MKY is also named Mike, the third after his dad and grandfather. His parents join him in the audition room. Whoa. Dad has some serious tattoos. The judges all say yes. – 3 yeses
Carrie Underwood sings with the PS22 choir AGAIN.
Remember Carrie singing with the PS22 choir years ago? The current choir sings for her in New York City. The director reminds them she sang with the choir BEFORE THEY WERE BORN. Once again Carrie sings “So Small” with the group and is overcome by emotion.
Josh King – 24 – Over the Rainbow and My Girl
He accompanies himself on piano as he sings, and the singer is startlingly great on the keys. According to his info blurb, he works as an “airport pianist.” Josh performs his own jazzy arrangement of the Judy Garland classic. He’s an interesting singer, but albeit a few insufferable vocal tics.
Lionel calls him a lounge singer and it’s not a compliment. Carrie thinks he needs to be simpler. Luke asks him to sing “My Girl” but without so many vocal flourishes. The judges are correct. He needs to dial back the stylistic stuff. Carrie says no, Luke and Lionel say yes – 1 no 2 yeses
Sophie Powers – 21 – ST*U (Original)
JOKE CONTESTANT. Producers are trying to create a viral moment, obviously. The “song” such as it is, sung in a punk style, is all about–you guessed it–yelling at people to STFU. Carrie says, “You clearly got a thing going,” but adds that she’s not right for American Idol. Sophie jokes that she agrees because she’s actually Canadian. – 3 nos of course.
Lashon – 25 – Woman (Original Song)
Lashon grew up in a large family. Her mom took in all the stray kids, including a bunch of cousins. Mom is the singer’s big inspiration, so she wrote an original song for her. The tune is derivative, but Lashon delivers it with verve and confidence.
“You are so on fire,” declares Lionel. While watching her audition, Carrie had flashes of sitting at an awards show. She wrote down “artist” in her notes. Luke calls her “tremendous.” He appreciates her hunger and determination. “There’s nothing like you out here,” Lionel adds. Carrie believes she could be Top 12. – 3 yeses
Carrie chats more about her audition and even sings “I Can’t Make You Love Me” at the judges desk.
Filo – 23 – Try a Little Tenderness by Otis Redding
ABC previewed this audition last week. Filo moved to the US from Egypt in middle school. He laughs about being cast as Shrek in a school show. His family had to leave Egypt because after the revolution, Coptic Christians had a difficult time. His mom wants him to be a doctor. So while he studied music at Berklee, he also studied medicine.
Mom cries outside the audition room as Filo sings. He has a big voice but he would be even better if he tamped down the runs. He oversings. Wonder if the judges will mention it? (Spoiler alert: They don’t). Nevertheless, he’s talented.
“Born to sing,” remarks Luke. Carrie calls his performance “fantastic.” Luke predicts Top 20 or even top 10.
Next, RUN THE TAPE. Filo is handed a Platinum Ticket in Times Square during New Years Rockin’ Eve. The producers told him they invited him there to promote the show. Surprise!
Next week Carnie Wilson’s daughter Lola will audition. Carnie’s sister Wendy and husband Rob also attend the audition. It’s framed as “WILSON PHILLIPS Y’ALL” When it should be LOLA’S GRAND FATHER IS BRIAN EFFING WILSON PEOPLE. Carnie’s dad, Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love (WHO SUCKS) and friend Al Jardine played in a little band called The Beach Boys. Ok?
