American Idol Season 7 San Diego Auditions Live Blogging – January 22, 2008

Today, American Idol is looking for contestants in San Diego, California (looks like a nice place!).  There’s a big crowd so I hope we see some good auditions!

First up – Tetiana Ostapowych sang "Someone to Watch Over Me" – she’s great!  I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting it!  Simon said that he doesn’t think she’s as good as she thinks she is and that she can’t ever be "great" even though she’s "good."  All three voted her through and Simon called her "obnoxious."

More after the jump!

Perrie Cataldo is a single father (the mom passed away suddenly two years ago) of an almost 4-year-old son.  He sang "I’ll Make Love To You" and I liked him a lot.  I could just tell from his speaking voice that he was going to be good.  Simon said he has a "really, really good voice."  Three "yes" votes and Perrie is through to the next round!  His little boy joined him in the room – so cute!

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Michael Johns is from Australia and he sang "I’ve Been Loving You To Long" and Simon thought it was a good audition and was like a "white soul singer."  All three judges enjoyed the audition and he’s through to the next round.  I think he’s adorable!

Marat Hayrapetyan, Christopher Mitchell, Tehilla Lauder were all bad auditions.

Valerie Reyes loves Mariah Carey and listens to her obsessive.  She says she likes to sit back and laugh at the bad auditions.  Nice… She sang "Against All Odds" and I can’t even believe what I’m hearing.  If this was not a family site I would swear.  The judges thought it was terrible and Simon said she sounded like a Mariah Carey CD left out in the sun for too long.  She was crushed and realized she’d be one of those "rejects."  Poetic justice if you ask me.

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Joseph and Juanita Mejia sang and mimed to "Get Here."  Wow…

Christopher Baker and Monique Gibson came together and Monique went first.  She sang "I Believe in Miracles" and it was terrible.  Randy could not contain his laughing.  She kept trying different songs and actually argued that she really can sing.  Christopher sang "The Greatest Love of All" and it was almost as bad as Monique.  The judges kept trying to stop them and he just kept singing!  When Simon told him it was out of tune he started singing again.  Wow… Finally, security had to take him out.  He and Monique sang their goodbyes.  Atrocious, lol!

They showed a montage of contestants who love Paula, Randy, Ryan and Simon.  Hilarious.  So, the last contestant of the day was obsessed with Simon.  Her sister sent a note to Simon to ask him to come in.  He invited her to sit with him.  Finally, Samantha Musa sang "Until you Come Back to Me" and gave me genuine goosebumps.  Fabulous!  All the judges thought it was a great audition.  She’s through to the next round!

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DAY 2

Blake Boshnack has auditioned at several cities but probably most recognizable from season 5 in Chicago where he dressed as the Statue of Liberty.  His mother wants it as much, if not more, than Blake does and takes him to every audition.  He sang "Stand By Me" and all of them said "no."  Too bad.  It’s his 11th rejection.

Said "no" to everyone for the next hour – Alexandra Ruiz and Sarah Long (compared to William Hung) were featured. 

Then came naturist (or so it would appear) Alberto Hurtado I was screaming I was laughing so hard.  Holy smokes!  He said that he’s very shy but sometimes lives in his imagination.  He sang his original song "Live."  I can’t even believe this!  Those nails are ridiculous!  It’s an absolute "no" from the judges.  Alberto gave Paula a fan as he left and Simon asked where his fan was, lol.  Alberto went out and needed a big hug.

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Aarron Garrett sang "Leave Me Alone" and I don’t even know what it was.  He would be stopped and then would start again.  He’s sent packing.

David Archuleta is 16 and suffered from vocal chord paralysis a year ago and believes he is a lot better now.  He sang "Waiting on the World to Change" and, although he stumbled on the words a bit, I thought he was really, really good.  The judges liked him and Simon thought it was a great song choice.  He’s through to Hollywood!  My 14-year-old daughter is jumping up and down screaming with excitement, lol.

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Carly Smithson from Ireland and owns a tattoo parlor with her husband.  She auditioned in Las Vegas in season 5, made it through but was disqualified because her Visa did not come through on time.  She sang "I’m Every Woman."  Paula really liked it but Simon said it wasn’t as good as her audition from 2 years ago.  She got a "yes" from all three judges! 

30 others made it to San Diego!  They will be in South Carolina tomorrow night!