The screen is filled with images of cable cars, Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. This can mean only one thing: “American Idol” has finally arrived in San Francisco, the last stop on this season’s audition tour.
Bay Area, represent!
“San Francisco is one of our favorite cities to come to when we hit the road,” host Ryan Seacrest says, giving a shout-out to the region’s “strong sense individuality.”
As if on cue, we get an immediate example of that individuality when 15-year-old San Franciscan Katherine Skinner steps in front of judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. She is here because, um, her psychic — a cat named Mustafa — advised her to try out.
Skinner is bubbly and goofy and rocking a “pimp coat” that she claims was given to her by David Bowie. Her rendition of “Shake It Out” sounds, well, a little shaky to us. But the judges actually like her.
“You’re talented, but you’re crazy,” JLo says.
Skinner, much to our surprise, gets the thumbs-up from all three judges. OK, then. We’re off and running.
Erika David, a “sassy” 25-year-old hotel worker from Fremont, hopes to impress the judges with her take on Alicia Keys’ “No One.” Keith doesn’t like it all that much, but Harry wants to see her again and JLo gives her a pass, even though she has a “lot of work to do.”
Earning stronger, unanimous approval is Ryan Pinkston, a 27-year-old San Franciscan whose version of Stevie Wonder’s “As” is called “pinpoint perfect” by Harry.
Also, in this segment, Chandler Leighton, a party-crasher from SoCal, earns a golden ticket with a lovely rendition of “New York State of Mind.”
But the Bay Area is, by no means, done.
Reno Anoa’i, a sweet-voiced ukulele-playing dude from Daly City, impresses the judges with his version of “I Don’t Want to Talk About It.”
“When you’re singing, I believed you,” says JLo, who nevertheless advises Reno to cut down on the runs.
The star of the night? Turns out she’s an East Bay gal. Maddie Hudson, a 16-year-old student from Pleasanton, wowed everyone with a powerful take on Beyonce’s “Resentment.”
JLo was so impressed that she had “goosies” all over her body.
“I’m blown away. You’re one of my favorites,” she tells Maddie.
Keith and Harry are big fans, as well, with the latter declaring that Maddie has “all the ingredients to be a superstar.”
Now, if only she can deliver in Hollywood.
Three other “Idol” wannabes from outside the Bay Area earned golden tickets, including:
— Andrew Bloom, 17, of Yorba Linda (“Too Close”).
— Kellyeann Rodgers, 24, a vocal teacher from Memphis. (“A Song for You”).
— Rayvon Owen, 23, a vocal coach from Richmond, Va. (“Wide Awake”).
The San Francisco auditions conclude on Thursday night. Then it’s on to the cutthroat action of Hollywood Week.
Associated Press
