American Idol: Hollywood Week: The Final Round

Hell Week Continues for 72 Singers in Round 3 of Hollywood Week

Feb 11, 2009 Shelby Winchell

For this round of competition, contestants have a choice. They can perform solo, sing with a band and back-up singers, and if they chose, play an instrument.

It's down to 72 contestants in the hit FOX show, "American Idol." This is the final performance for these singers to either make it or be sent home. Host Ryan Seacrest sets the ground rules for the final audition during Hollywood week. "After the song, there will be no judges comments, no results. They'll have to wait until the end of the day for the brutal and final cuts."

But before the competition can begins, judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi divide the contestants into four groups of 18. While every singer in each group performs, the other contestants wait for their final audition or the outcome.

One Last Performance, But No Comments

Even though the judges weren't allowed to make comments, the contestants did. If you weren't up performing on stage, you sat in the seats of the Kodak Theater. After many performances, the other contestants were cheering, clapping, and screaming for one another. It appears contestants got sing whatever song they wanted to. There was no mention of a song list, and it did not appear to be many repeats of songs.

Instruments Make the Difference

Some contestants, including visually impaired contestant Scott MacIntyre, played instruments like the keyboard. After his performance, Scott said, "I just found out Paula gave me a standing ovation. I didn't see that. That means I had the absolute greatest time of my life out there." While there was a lot of keyboard playing, some of the other contestants chose to play the guitar or no instrument at all.

Drama for a Contestant Named Tatiana

Contestant Tatiana Del Toro has managed in previous rounds to sing multiple songs while other contestants didn't get the same opportunity. For this round, she only got one chance. "I feel incredible. I think I did awesome," she said while leaving the stage. Then something happened. While Tatiana waited to learn her fate, she's called from the room she's waiting in by producers and moved to another room. No one knows what is going to happen next or what this means for her or the other contestants. More on what happens later.

Divided Into Groups of Four

Split up in four different groups and in four different rooms, the Idol hopefuls wait to learn their fate. Will they go on in the competition, or will they go home? They only have room for 36 contestants. Simon has to leave early for a trip to London, so Randy, Paula, and Kara are left with the responsibility of breaking the news of who makes it and who does not.

Cut From the Competition

Notable contestants cut from the competition include:

  • Michael Castro, who is brother's with Jason Castro from Season 7, and
  • Lanisha Young, the girl who said she grew up homeless with her family.

We won't find out until next time who the top 36 contestants will be.

The copyright of the article American Idol: Hollywood Week: The Final Round in Reality TV is owned by Shelby Winchell. Permission to republish American Idol: Hollywood Week: The Final Round in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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