Jennifer Diley Calls BS on Steven Tyler, American Idol
Jennifer Diley auditioned for American Idol in San Diego Sunday - on an episode that will be replayed at 8 p.m. tonight on Fox - and did not make the Hollywood cut. Case closed, right?
Not so much.
The aspiring singer, who donned a tube top and very short shorts, has gone public with complaints over producers forcing her to choose from a list of "flirty" songs. (She ended up covering "With You" by Jessica Simpson and "Hero" by Mariah Carey, neither of which she had rehearsed.).
Diley is also apparently mad at Steven Tyler because he supposedly told her off-air that he loved her outfit... and then remained silent while she was mocked for it during the audition. The nerve!
Informed off this random complaint, Tyler's manager told TMZ: "You are telling me some provocatively dressed woman is claiming Steven Tyler flirted with her? I am shocked."
As for auditions of people who can actually sing, we recommend fans keep an eye on Ashley Robles. She has serious potential.
Ashley Robles Conquers Whitney, Awarded Golden Ticket [Video]
Ashley Robles took on arguably the most difficult challenge one can give oneself on last night's American Idol audition show:
She covered the Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston classic "I Will Always Love You."
But Robles rose to the occasion, belting out an impression version that granted the single mother access to Hollywood from all three judges, with Randy Jackson wondering where the heck Ashley has been all the time. Are we looking at a new frontrunner?
NOTE: Due to its late airing on the East Coast, this San Diego-based episode will be shown again tomorrow night on Fox, prior to President Obama's State of the Union Address. Tune in to watch such contenders as Aubree Dieckmeyer and Jane Carrey.
Ali Shields Raps, Kisses, Dances on American Idol
Ali Shields is off to Hollywood, but it took one of the more unusual American Idol auditions to get her there.
This aspiring singer has actually been featured on national television before, posting a video online that eventually landed her a spot on Ellen. She proceeded to attend a red carpet event through the talk shot host and kiss Usher. No, really!
Last night in San Diego, meanwhile, Ali at first rapped for the Idol panel; and then broke down into a dance at Randy Jackson's request; only to finally conclude with an actual song that landed her a Golden Ticket. Watch for yourself:
While enjoyable, Ali's audition was not our favorite of the night. That honor belongs to Aubree Dieckmeyer.
Aubree Dieckmeyer Mangles American Idol Interview, Passes Audition
If American Idol were a talking competition, Aubree Dieckmeyer would be screwed.
The 20-year old auditioned in San Diego for TV's top-rated series last night... only she had trouble remembering just which show she hoping to win. See what we mean in the interview that precedes her actual try out here:
In the end, Dieckmeyer's voice stood out more than her gaffe. We could see her advancing far on season 11. Among the opponents she'll face in Hollywood, courtesy of the most recent audition episode?
Kyle Crews, who made frat boys everywhere proud with his cover of "Angel of Mine."
Kyle Crews on American Idol: Frat-astic!
Who says fraternity members can't sing?!?
Okay, maybe no one. But Kyle Crews still made it his mission to change that perception last night, auditioning for American Idol in San Diego and wowing the judges with a cover of "Angel of Mine."
"You sound nothing like you look," Randy Jackson told Crews, winning the award for Backhanded Compliment of the Night, while Kyle dedicated the performance to Jennifer Lopez and her voluptuous lips.
Elsewhere, did you hear that Jane Carrey, the daughter of a certain comedic actor, also was passed through to Hollywood? It's true!
Jane Carrey, Daughter of Jim, Auditions for American Idol
Move over, Jim Carrey! Another family member is on the way to Hollywood.
On last night's San Diego-based audition episode, 24-year old Jane Carrey tried out for American Idol, shocking Jennifer Lopez, who worked with her father way back in the day on In Living Color.
Seemingly a very normal waitress with a very cute family, Jane covered the Bonnie Raitt classic "Something to Talk About" and received a Golden Ticket based on merit, not her famous, funny connections. Watch her try out below, followed by a call to her father with the good news:
Brittany Kerr: New American Idol Bikini Girl!
Brittany Kerr, a cheerleader for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and now a contestant on American Idol, probably can't challenge Phillip Phillips on talent alone.
She does bring other attributes to the table, however.
A massive surge in traffic from peeps looking for Brittany Kerr bikini photos crashed her manager's website the following day, according to reports.
Not only that, she's on her way to Hollywood! J.Lo wasn't impressed with her audition (below), but Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson sent her through.
Big surprise. No word if she'll don a two-piece in the next round ...
Kerr's management company wasn't the only thing affected. Jim Merrill, a photographer who recently shot Kerr in a bikini, had to buy more bandwidth.
Merrill typically gets about 5,000 hits a month on his website. Just moments after Kerr's audition, his traffic ballooned to 20,000 hits ... Wednesday.
The moral of the story? People love their American Idol. And cyber stalking pics of hot girls who become Z-list celebrities overnight. U-S-A! U-S-A!
Erika Van Pelt: Mobile DJ, Wedding Singer, American Idol Hopeful
Based on your audition last night, Erika Van Pelt, the answer is yet: we'll still love you tomorrow.
This Rhode Island native tried out for the Fox smash in Pittsburgh last night, wowing the judges with a rendition of a Carole King classic and piquing the interesting of viewers with her job: she's a mobile DJ, traveling from venue to venue and spinning records. That is, when she isn't performing as a wedding singer.
Watch the audition now to see why Adam Sandler should be worried:
See you in Hollywood, Erika! Along with other night two favorites, Creighton Fraker and Hallie Day.
Creighton Fraker, Original American Idol Song: Hollywood Bound!
When in doubt, just make it up!
That was the approach taken by Creighton Fraker on American Idol last night, as the aspiring singer took a bus ride from New York City to Pittsburgh and used that time to come up with his own material.
Was it the most creative song? No. It mostly just mentioned the judges' names a few times. But the panelists were impressed with the vocals and Steven Tyler went as far as to give Creighton a "3 gazillion percent yes" vote, while Jennifer Lopez said he was kind of like Jamiroquai and Justin Timberlake's baby. Even odder? It sort of applies...
Fraker wasn't the only original contestant on the air last night. Reed Grimm actually received a Golden Ticket thanks to a sitcom theme song!
Reed Grimm Covers Family Matters Theme Song on American Idol
Family matters to Reed Grimm. The 26-year old has been singing on stage with his parents and siblings since the age of two.
So it was only appropriate that the American Idol hopeful auditioned last night via the Family Matters theme song, harmonizing and scatting his way through this unique track, much to the amusement of all three judges.
Steve Tyler referred to Grimm as "genius." Randy Jackson said he was "enthralled" by the performance. Watch it for yourself now and come up with your own description:
Grimm, of course, was not the only standout in Pittsburgh. We also were huge fans of Hallie Day and Eben Franckewitz.
