You’d think with all the Latino culture to grace Miami, American Idol would find some decent talent. But no, the show opens with the Belching Butcher aka Shannon McCough. Hideously dressed like an 80’s flashback in a green dress with a pink sequin belt and gloves and black sequined beret, Shannon just could not believe they didn’t think she was a good singer. After all, she was the local singing contest winner and has her pictures plastered all over her daddy’s butcher shop.
But the second contestant, “boy bander turned rocker” Robbie Caprico, was good enough to get the first ticket to Hollywood. He even has his own fan club complete with firecrackers and fiesta string that scared Ryan.
Galeb the Venezuelan Gypsy looks oddly familiar…almost like a Latino version of Balki from “Perfect Strangers” (remember him?). Galeb gets brownie points (and a golden ticket) for singing something DIFFERENT for a change, a Marc Antony (J-Lo’s hubby) song. He needs work on his accent, but he has a nice voice.
Meet the “Manhunters”, or as Ryan introduced them, Corliss and Brittany. Great personality and great banter with the judges, but from experience, I’m thinking the flashier they are, the less likely they have any singing talent. But like Jeffrey and Michelle, I was pleasantly surprised with both ladies.
Brittany’s version of “My Guy” blew me away (and no it wasn’t from the high winds pummeling Central Oklahoma right now). I couldn’t help but root for them; they were so energetic and vibrant.
Samantha Toon and Ramiel Maubai both won a trip to Hollywood. Samantha wowed the judges with her sultry sexiness and seductive voice. Then, Ramiel surprised them by singing “Natural Woman”. The judges didn’t expect such a big voice from such a little girl.
But Syesha Mercado, who probably had the best smile on Idol so far this season, overwhelmed them with her version of Aretha Franklin’s “Think”. (I thought it was a bit loud, but I’m hard of hearing, so I guess she was trying to make sure I could hear her?)
The last contestants featured in Miami were perfect examples of what NOT to do during an audition. Richard Valoy sang through his nose, while Julie Dubela was full of herself and proved she is an overindulged brat who’s never heard the word “no”.
Finally, Bran B managed to succeed in doing nearly everything you should never do:
- Don’t run in like an idiot.
- Don’t come on to Paula (unless your hawt).
- Don’t sing in a bad falsetto.
- Don’t start taking your clothes off (unless you’re buff and Paula is in the mood).
Shockingly, only 17 Miami contestants won tickets to Hollywood. Well, one more city left next Tuesday, when Idol auditions in Ryan’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
