Today... San Diego... Let's get it started!!!!!

Only one hour today, so this should only


1) Tetiana Ostapowych
She is really, really cute!
Controlled blue-sy voice.
The judges look like they're concentrating really hard... especially Paula
Simon doesn't think she will be great... just good.

Randy: Yes
Paula: Yes
Simon: Yes

She had begged Simon to let her through, so he did... then he called her obnoxious afterwards.


Next up, a single father. He is raising a boy by himself after his wife had been killed.
2) Perry Cataldo
Singing Boyz 2 Men
He has an R&B style voice, although not the best I've heard.
Paula seems to enjoy it, though.
"Okie Dokie" says Simon, then says he has a good voice.

R: Yes
P: Yes
S: Yes

Boy, the judges swooned over him!
And his son seems to be happy.
Randy calls him "Baby Boi"

And two auditions down, we go to first commercial break!

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And we're back! Now we're going to be visiting the "bad side" of San Diego.
Is there one?

Next up, a native Aussie
3) Michael Johns
Wait... he is actually good! Very strong voice!
I predict this guy will be top 12. Best so far today, maybe even this season!
Simon says he's like a white soul singer

R: Yes
P: Yes
S: Yes


4) Marat Hayrapetyan
Finally, the bad ones! Boy, this guy is pretty bad

5) Christopher Mitchell
He's trying to be good, but Randy is laughing

6) Tehilla Lauder
She's not even singing... just holding a note


Next up, a Mariah Carey fan! And pretty cute, too.
Looks like a combo between Katherine McPhee, and Jasmine Trias
7) Valerie Reyes
Wait... she can't sing at all!
Simon said the only resemblance to Mariah Carey is if one of her CDs was left out in the sun for a year.
She actually hurt my ears when she hit that cracked high note!

R: No
P: No
S: No

Now she is scared about appearing as a reject

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8) Joseph & Juanita Mejia
The one guy wasn't a bad singer, but the fact that the other was interpretive dancing in a mime outfit didn't help matters. Neither did the singer's mexican outfit.
No from all the judges, I assume. They didn't show the vote.

9) Monique Gibson
Thinks she can sing Whitney Houston.
Simon says he thinks this is pointless. Stops her early.
But she keeps on singing after Simon gets some comments in.
Simon is pretty much begging her to stop.
Now she is busting out into tears.

10) Christopher Baker
Boy, he is loud. And plain.
Simon is yelling at him to stop.
He says no children will be laughing after that rendition of his song.
Now he starts singing again.
Simon says nobody will buy a record from him.
So, Chris says he's going to sing in a lower tone.
Still bad.

Now, Monique and Christopher, who came together, are going crazy together. Ryan looks confused.

Now, a montage of people totally crushing on the judges.

Now, there's this really cute girl who is crushing big time on Simon. Weird.
The girl's sister gets in also, and gets to sit with Simon!

11) Samantha Musa
Wow, she's actually pretty good. Sounds like she would be good at country... or maybe R&B
Sam's sister gets to judge first! She does her best imitation of Simon.
The judges were all impressed!

R: Yes
P: Yes
S: Yes
Sam's siter: Yes, as long as she gets to tag along!

Well, this is the end of day one. Another commercial.

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Day two is up. Morning time. Another beautiful day in San Diego. What else is new...
Randy is wearing a shirt that says "Black Rock"

First up on day two... A guy who has been to ten auditions. He once wore a Statue of Liberty costume. Luckily, he is not in costume today. Maybe that will help him get through.

12) Blake Boshnack
He's singing "Stand By Me"
He's actually not too bad.
The judges don't think he's right for this competition.

R: No
P: No
S: No


Montage of bad singers

13) Alexandria Ruiz - Not very good

14) Sarah Long
This girl was compared to William Hung

And lots of other nameless rejects

Then a really weird guy... seems to be on something
Says he's inspired by his imagination
He also has a lot of fans. I mean hand held fans that you wave
And very long fingernails.
15) Alberto Hurtado
Wrote his own song. Started singing after playing with his hair for a while
Simon said it was the most depressing song he heard.
Even the "happy ending" is gloomy.

R: No
P: No
S: No

He gives Paula a fan as a parting gift.

And another commercial.

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Still beautiful in San Diego.

16) Aaron Garrett - WTF? Is that country? He has dreds, so I'm not sure. And he won't shut up.

17) David Archuleta
Had vocal paralysis a few years ago. Opted not to get surgery.
He talks kind of funny and airy, so I don't think he's fully recovered.
His singing voice isn't really suffering... except he forgot a word
Not a bad voice... Randy is providing backup
Randy is impressed. So is Paula and Simon. Simon thought it was a great choice of song. (Waiting on the World to Change)

R: Yes
P: Yes, and she wants to squish him
S: Yes

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Final contestant
A tattoo artist. Apparently, she was once on AI. Season five.
She had gotten picked to go to Hollywood. But she was disqualified because her Visa papers didn't come in in time. She is from Ireland.
Now, she's in the clear. No problems with Visas now!
18) Carly Smithson
She has a pretty powerful voice, but there's something that's kind of off... can't put my finger on it
Simon said she was better two years ago
The other judges all love her. Apparently, Simon did too, because he voted yes.

R: Yes
P: Yes
S: Yes

She is very happy, and in tears. She could go far.

30 people from San Diego made it through

Next up, Charleston, South Carolina. Wonder if Rich will be there!