‘American Idol’ Recap: Katy Perry’s Favorite Rejected Singer Returns for a Golden Ticket
ABC/Eric McCandless Reading Time: 3 minutes
American Idol Season 20 returned on Sunday night for a new episode of even more auditions, as the show headed to the Sunset Strip. This round featured a performance from a singer who was rejected earlier in the season but made a major comeback.
We also saw an audition from a singer whose mom competed on the show as well as a talented contestant whom the judges were convinced was from another planet.
Sam Moss Returns for a Second Chance
There have been a few moments this season when judge Katy Perry voted “yes” for a contestant to go to Hollywood, but her fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan disagreed with her. She even wore a shirt with the names of three contestants she supported.
One of those contestants was Sam Moss, who originally lost out on her chance to go to Hollywood when she auditioned in Austin. However, Sam returned for a second chance at a Golden Ticket, choosing to sing an original song this time.
Sam played the piano while showing off a beautiful voice, and she actually earned a standing ovation from all three judges. Bryan told her she “got so much better in such a short amount of time,” adding, “Whatever I said in Austin, I take it back.” Not only did Sam get a Golden Ticket, but the judges also signed Perry’s T-shirt for her.
SEE ALSO: ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ SEASON 20 SCHEDULE EXPANDS TO TWO NIGHTS A WEEK
Singer Follows in Her Mom’s Footsteps
The first audition of Sunday’s new episode came from 21-year-old Zaréh, whose mom Nadia Turner competed on American Idol in 2005, reaching the Top 10. Nadia didn’t know her daughter was auditioning for the show until Zaréh surprised her with the help of host Ryan Seacrest.
Zaréh, who works as a stylist, even wore the same top her mom wore during her own audition. She performed “Bust the Windows” by Jazmine Sullivan, prompting Perry to say she has potential. She earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
Sunday’s episode also featured an audition from a mother-to-be. Haley Slaton was five-and-a-half months pregnant when she tried out for the show. She started off by singing “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. The judges weren’t sure, so they asked her to sing something else.
Haley went on to sing “One and Only” by Adele, impressing the judges so much they gave her a Golden Ticket. If she makes it far enough, she could be performing on the show as a new mom.
Bullied Teen Has the Judges Wondering If He’s Real
The night’s final audition came from 18-year-old Douglas Mills Jr., who won a “silver ticket” to audition from his local news in Houston. He shared that he had been bullied when he was younger, but music was a “safe place from doubters and haters.”
Douglas sang “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday. The judges were transfixed by his performance, with Richie calling it “superb” and Perry saying he’s a “superstar” who “froze the room” with his talent. The judges thought he might be from another planet, and asked, “Are you real?”
Needless to say, Douglas earned a Golden Ticket to Hollywood. American Idol Season 20 will return on Monday night for yet another round of auditions.
