American Idol Season 23 returned on Sunday night for the final round of auditions, as the judges handed out the last batch of Golden Tickets to Hollywood Week. Sunday’s episode also featured the final Platinum Ticket recipient of the season, 17-year-old Canaan James Hill.
American Idol Judges Hand Out Final Platinum Ticket
Canaan James Hill told the judges that he graduated high school early and was “getting into preaching.” The panel marveled at Canaan’s maturity, as he shared his determination to “go forth with my gift and do what God has called and chosen me to do.”
The 17-year-old went on to sing “I Need Your Glory” by Earnest Pugh, showing off a soulful voice that had judge Lionel Richie standing up from his chair and walking around behind the desk. When the song was finished, he went up to Canaan and asked him, “Would you do that again?”
Fellow judge Carrie Underwood described Canaan’s voice as “smooth but powerful,” wondering, “Where have you been the last 17 years?” Luke Bryan said he had “never seen anything like it,” joking that everyone who hears his voice will probably “run to the baptism pit and jump in it and get saved immediately.”
The judges were so impressed by Canaan’s audition, they chose to give him the third and final Platinum Ticket of the season, allowing him to skip the first round of Hollywood Week, which kicks off on Monday night’s new episode of the show.
Sunday’s new episode of American Idol also featured an audition from 28-year-old JMarie, who sang judge Carrie Underwood’s song “Before He Cheats,” calling it a “hood anthem.” She’s not the first contestant this season to take on the iconic revenge song.
Last week, 22-year-old Sophia Humbert performed the track on the piano. Underwood thought she needed to show more rage, which prompted the three judges to take Sophia outside to smash up a truck like Underwood did in the song’s music video.
However, JMarie brought so much power and personality to the song that Underwood was instantly impressed. She admitted that she had been “a little worried” about contestants singing her music, but said that JMarie “made it your own.” Underwood said it was like she “heard it for the first time.”
JMarie got emotional as she shared that she took so long to audition for the show because people had told her she “wasn’t pretty enough” or “slim enough.” Lionel Richie told her, “This is the right time, and you slayed it.” She earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
Contestant Wows the Panel with Jennifer Hudson Cover
Another impressive audition from Sunday’s show came from 16-year-old Kaleo, who told the judges she would be singing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls, famously sung by American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson in the musical’s movie adaptation.
It’s definitely an ambitious song choice, but Kaleo proved herself. She showed off a powerhouse voice that had the judges on their feet. Richie called it “crazy good,” while Underwood told Kaleo that she “landed the plane very, very well.”
Bryan told Kaleo that she has “probably the best 16-year-old voice we’ve heard in this competition.” Richie advised the young singer to “stay in your lane and blow them away.” She earned three “yes” votes to receive a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
What did you think of this season’s auditions? Who are you rooting for heading into Hollywood Week? Let us know in the comments below.
Words by:
Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
