New judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez learned for the first time how to say no to contestants who are simply bad like Michael Jackson impersonator, Yoji 'Pop' Asano.
- Jan 20, 2011
AceShowbiz - The new version of "American Idol" officially kicked off on Wednesday, January 19 with Jennifer Lopez struggling to say no and Steven Tyler dropping his first mean comment. Since the judges line-up was changed, the attention is divided between the judges and the contestants. Lopez and Tyler did bring a new color to the competition, not as tough as Simon Cowell but not as lenient as Paula Abdul either.
The tenth season began with an audition in New Jersey. Rachel Zevita who had tried out in season 6 came back for a second chance and sang "Hallelujah". Despite not impressing the judges instantly, they gave her the first golden ticket of the season. "We oughta let her in the door. Water that flower 'cause I think it's gonna grow," Tyler said.
After that, a stream of good singers came in and the pattern stopped at a woman named Achille Lovle. She sang a Madonna song with a thick accent. "It's not about your accent, it's more really just about the singing," Lopez said as she was about to say her first no. Tyler was more straightforward, saying "You've got no notes."
Then there came the 'tough-to-tell' contestant. Tiffany Rios came to the audition with all the tributes which make people think she is not to be taken seriously. Apparently her intention was not too, for she sang "America needs me for higher ratings on TV." Despite the bad impression, Lopez thought she can sing so she gave her a yes vote.
A number of bad auditions montage were played and it stopped at the first sad story. Robbie Rosen had to sit on a wheelchair for sometime and he claimed he had never lost the passion to sing. He sang "Yesterday" and all the judges loved him.
Tyler dropped a nasty comment on the contestant named Michael Perotto who butchered "Proud Mary". The rocker said, "Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a child?". Randy Jackson thought Perotto should stop singing and sent him home. The first day was wrapped up with a golden ticket for Melinda Ademi from Kosovo.
The next day was highlighted with a singing waitress, a doo-wop singer's daughter, and a boy who lived on the tough street of Bronx. But the biggest spotlight was given to a 25-year-old student calling himself Yoji "Pop" Asano, who decided to mix Michael Jackson impersonation and Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA". He did not get through.
From the first audition, the tenth season admitted 51 contestants to Hollywood.
