CADENCE Baker shocked the American Idol judges with her audition, while Sam Finelli brought them to tears.
Baker sang Whitney Houston’s I’m Your Baby Tonight, and her father played the guitar.
The judges unanimously voted to send her to Hollywood.
“I think it’s one of the best auditions I’ve seen,” said Luke Bryan.
Finelli’s audition was the last of the night, and after revealing that he has autism and was too afraid to audition, he delivered a performance that warranted a standing ovation from the judges.
“You were born enough,” said Lionel Richie. “Your handicap is your gift.”
Finelli and all three of the judges became emotional, with Bryan covering his face to wipe tears.
All three judges then gave him a golden ticket and sent him off to Hollywood.
Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry, along with host Ryan Seacrest continued the third week of auditions for the Season 20 competition.
Read our American Idol live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Rooting for Sam
Fans are cheering for Sam, after he gave an emotional last audition of the night.
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A standing ovation
“I was too afraid to audition,” said Sam.
“You were born enough,” said Lionel. “Your handicap is your gift.”
Katy said Sam picked the perfect song.
“I needed this song 20 years ago,” said Sam.
The judges called Sam’s mother into the audition room and gave him a golden ticket to Hollywood.
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‘This is my dream’
Sam sang Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves.
He started crying after he finished. “These are happy tears, I promise,” he said.
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Last audition of the day
The last to audition tonight is Sam Finelli.
“I never thought I’d be here in a million years,” he said. Sam’s mother revealed he is autistic.
“I don’t connect with people very well.”
“Music was my best friend.”
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Judges vote yes
Ryleigh Madison was sent off with a golden ticket to Hollywood.
The judges asked her to dial down her accent “25 percent” when singing, but were otherwise impressed with Ryleigh’s audition.
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Up Next, Ryleigh Madison
Ryleigh Madison is a 16-year-old high schooler from North Carolina.
She is singing a Gabby Barrett single, The Good Ones.
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Gabby Barrett inspires contestants
The contestants and judges are reflecting on Gabby Barrett’s influence on the competition, after her 2018 appearance.
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Mark’s mustache ‘brings the cash’
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Judges approve
“You guys know this is nerve-wracking, right?” Mark asked the judges immediately after he finished singing.
“I do like what you’re doing,” said Lionel.
The judges voted to send Mark to Hollywood.
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Up next, Mark Osborne
Mark Osborne is a 26-year-old country singer and said he is trying out for American Idol for his mother’s birthday.
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Donavan Diaz sings next
The other funeral home worker is now singing for his shot at a golden ticket.
“I don’t like all this DTA,” said Katy. “Death talk anxiety.”
The platinum ticket fell off the wall, spooking the judges.
The judges said they couldn’t connect with his performance and did not give him a ticket to Hollywood.
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Emily Faith sings first
Emily Faith is a country singer and sang for the judges first.
“You have an authentic country voice,” said Luke.
The judges gave her a golden ticket to Hollywood.
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Up next, funeral workers
Two contestants who happen to work at funeral homes crossed paths and are up next to audition.
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‘Keep your head up’
Ryan Seacrest had some encouraging words for Taniya.
“Sometimes all you need is time,” he wrote.
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Judges vote no for now
“It was a very youthful performance,” said Luke. “I think you have tons of promise.”
“I know there’s more there,” said Katy. “You have to go and discover that next gear.”
“If you take this kind of start and work on your delivery, practice, practice, and then come back to see us,” said Lionel. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Lionel gave Taniya a yes and told her to come back.
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Next up, Taniya Boatwright
Next to audition for a ticket to Hollywood is Taniya Boatwright.
She said when she was growing up, she was bullied because of her weight.
She is singing A Change is Gonna Come, by Sam Cooke
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Dakota gets a golden ticket
‘You are exactly what we want to find,” said Luke.
The judges said he may even end up in the top 10.
Dakota was then told he is going to Hollywood.
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‘Pure country’
“He’s actually good,” said Luke, after Katy shouted at Dakota to tune his guitar.
Luke asked him to try singing without the guitar.
“We found somebody here,” said Lionel. “You’re pure country.”
Katy called him authentic and raw.
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Next up, Dakota Hayden
From a small town in Kentucky, Dakota is from a population of about 500 people.
He said he is the most excited to audition in front of Luke Bryan.
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Taking the broom to the next round
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Like a Disney star
“You’re just a great singer of that style of music,” said Luke.
“When you started, I got chills,” said Katy.
The judges were questioning whether Abigail’s style is suited for American Idol.
However, the judges voted to send her to the next round.
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Singing into a broom
Abigail Brookes, from Castle Rock, Colorado, is used to singing into a broom instead of a microphone.
She is now singing for a shot at a golden ticket to Hollywood.
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More auditions underway
More contestants are singing it out for a golden ticket.
One singer is uniquely imitating a trump solo with her voice.
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Dontrell gets a golden ticket
Luke decided to send Dontrell to Hollywood after allowing him to sing another song.
Lionel got up and gave him a hug. “I am so proud,” he said.
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