DECEMBER 21, 2010 FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS Michael Giltz Freelance writer and raconteur Posted: February 3, 2010 10:32 AM BIO Become a Fan Get Email Alerts Bloggers' Index 2 3 views Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyIdol Season 9: Auditions -- Denver What's Your Reaction: Read More: Kara DioGuardi , Pop Music , Randy Jackson , Reality TV , Ryan Seacrest , Simon Cowell , Victoria Beckham , Entertainment News Twenty-six hopefuls received a golden ticket to Hollywood during two days of auditions in Denver.</p><p> So how come none of the people we heard impressed me? Blame it on the backstory: from a prematurebirth to a motorcycle accident to...a really long plane ride, they've endured it all.</p><p> Victoria Beckham was the guest judge again and either she loosened up or thelack of a hi-def plasma TV simply softened her, butBeckham didn't look nearly as encased as she did last time, thank goodness for her.</p><p> MARK LABRIOLA -- Sang "Tempted" by Squeeze.</p><p> This is the guy who was abducted by his mother(who didn't have custody) and lived on the lam from age 4 to age 10.</p><p> His vocals were fine, though I could have done without the hand gesture of calling someone on the phone during the line, "Memories of it stillkeep calling and calling." Smooth but not especially memorable, which set the stage for the day.</p><p> KIMBERLEY KERBOW -- Sang "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson.</p><p> She's a single mom, which hardly bears worth mentioning at this stage.</p><p> Saucy and more of a flirt than a singer, when she sang "I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair," they acted as if she'd rewritten the line to make fun of Simon.</p><p> Randy was the only one not to notice she was wearing a wig, an odd little note I can'tremember the judges commenting on before, though surely they have.</p><p> DANELLE HAYES -- Sang "I'm The Only One" by Melissa Etheridge.</p><p> Single mom who works a karaoke night and sings in cover bands and realizes it ain't easy trying to become a pop star.</p><p> She sang most every line the same way: very raspy and then ending on a smooth soft note, raspy then smooth, raspy then smooth.</p><p> But they liked her tears and sent her through.</p><p> CASEY JAMES -- Sang...oh, what does it matter.</p><p> He was in a motorcycle accident at 21 and nearly died and now it causes pain for him to play his guitar but that won't stop him.</p><p> He was fine looking, but the ladies acted as if he were Jim Morrison, getting him to take down his hair and take off his shirt.</p><p> Simon --who loved bikini girl -- thought it was terribly embarrassing.</p><p> Apparently, he hasn't seen any photo shoots MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOSTBIG NEWS: Lindsay Lohan | Speidi | Leonardo DiCaprio | Celebrity Kids | Energy Debates | More...</p><p> LOG IN | SIGN UP Get Entertainment Alerts Email Comments 6 VIDEO & PHOTOS: Rare Lunar Eclipse On Winter Solstice Comments (865) Stunning Eclipse Photos Comments (422) Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Passes Senate Procedural Vote Comments (25,036) Timothy Karr Obama FCC Caves on Net Neutrality -- Tuesday...</p><p> Comments (4,518) Al Franken The Most Important Free Speech Issue of Our Time Comments (1,508) PHOTOS: 10 Things We've Accidentally Learned From Crime Dramas Comments (333) Sarah Palin Jabs Michelle Obama's Anti-Obesity Campaign Comments (5,387) Amanda Knox Court Makes Comments 6 Pending Comments 0View FAQ 288 Fans 12 Fans Follow Survivor 21: Infants vs Senior Citizens: Fetuses...</p><p> Jud 'Fabio' Birza Wins 'Survivor: Nicaragua' Shania Twain Engaged To Frederic Thiebaud 'The Fighter' Star Amy Adams Talks Weight...of rock stars with their shirt off in the last 30 years right up to John Mayer on Rolling Stone last issue.</p><p> Everyone agreed he had no pizazz ("Find some star persona pills!" suggested Randy) and his vocals were so brief I have no idea if he can sing.</p><p> But he did have a flat stomach.</p><p> TORI KELLY -- Sang "Gravity" by John Mayer.</p><p> Simon said no but I agree with the other three.</p><p> Her voice was at least distinctive and she sang it well.</p><p> NICCI NIX -- This is the girl with the Minnie Mouse speaking voice. (It was so soft I played her back three times but couldn't hear what song she was singing.</p><p> They should list the person and the song and the artist the way MTV does when they play a music video.</p><p> Just another helpful suggestion; I can't be the only one who doesn't always hear or recognize the artist and would appreciate this.) Her singing voice was lower and much better (I expected a train wreck) so perhaps she got through just on the contrast, butshe was quirky and appealing.</p><p> HAELEY VAUGHN -- She sang a Carrie Underwood song, while hoping the become a female Charley Pride.</p><p> Haeley was a premature birth and her dad died when she was ten.</p><p> Fine, but as Randy said, too much of a copycat of Carrie's version.</p><p> No idea if she can sing or just imitate.</p><p> So, a brisk, well-edited show with 26 winners heard or glimpsed but not one that excited me.</p><p> Did you think any of the people headed to Hollywood had what it takes to go all the way? Or did you agree with me that they didn't all deserve to get through? Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz More in Entertainment...</p><p> They've pretty much lost me.</p><p> When they are having people drag up stories from 20 years ago about some asthma attack, or the fact that it's a "Miracle" that they are here because they were a preemieit's time to shut the TV off.</p><p> Give me a break.</p><p> It's just pathetic TV...here is an idea, less time onphony human interest story and more time spent with people that can actually sing well.</p><p> It was more like Project Runway last night.</p><p> Check this out Victoria Beckham gets slammed for her appearance .http://bit .ly/alDqUQ 1 of 5 Billie Jean King Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Is a Big Deal Al Franken The Most Important Free Speech Issue of Our TimeDON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS HOT TRENDS johnston in playgirl kardashian christmas card miley cyrus lap dance video sarah palin michelle obama true grit Recency | Popularity CAMBEL 01:40 PM on 2/04/2010 Permalink | Share it HUFFPOST SUPER USER markatlarge 12:23 PM on 2/04/2010 Permalink | Share it More Celebrity News at People.com More Celebrity News at Popeater.comComments are closed for this entry View All Crucial Ruling Comments (2,339) Shep Smith Unloads On Blockers Of 9/11 Responders Bill: 'How Do They Sleep At Night?' Comments (3,585) Sing-Off Champs Committed Thrilled to Perform with Boyz II Men READ MORE Harry Potter Actress's Brother Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Her READ MORE Prince William's Cousin Zara Phillips Is Engaged READ MORE Kelly Rutherford DefendsTaylor Momsen Pee-wee Herman's Wish for Fans on Christmas Kings of Leon: Their Bus Is on Fire0 Fans 77 Fans 14 Fans 77 FansNot many of the contestant s have excited us yet either.</p><p> There are some good singers, but I am still waiting to hear someone who knocks my socks off.</p><p> Here are my favourites from Denver: http://rea lstylenetw ork.com/in dex.php/ce lebrities/ 2010/02/am erican-ido l-recap-de nver-audit ions/ ...i think that Haeley Vaughn shows lots of promise, and i hope that she goes far...want ing to a mainstream black country is indeed a bold move and i applaud her for not wanting to be the nextFantasia or Mary J.</p><p> Blige... ...and for you to say that she was 'imitating ' Carrie Underwood was pretty low...she has great singing voice and she knows what wants...wo uld you say that about the other auditioner s singing songs by black artists?.. .</p><p> I am glad you mentioned that she is black, as it makes a difference in the fact that her goal is to become the first major black Country Western/Po p singer.</p><p> It might have had some bearing on the judges letting her through.</p><p> She was pretty good.</p><p> I am surprised that Michaeldidn't mention that.</p><p> It was a big part of her "backstory ". ...i'm glad that you saw that because i am a fan of country and singers like CharliePride and Reesie (sp?) Palmer fly under the radar all the time, so i am veryexcited for this young lady... ...and speaking as a fellow preemie, she is very inspiring and i wish her the best of luck on AI...TOP VIDEO PICKS 1 of 10 Ben Stiller's Little Fockers Fun Lea Michele's Early Days Vince Vaughn's NewBundle of Joy MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW HOT ON FACEBOOK HOT ON TWITTER David Axelrod NY Real Estate Lindsay Lohan Pharmaceuticals Video Sex MSNBC Eric Holder NatureHUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »fashion friend 09:41 AM on 2/04/2010 Permalink | Share it cherieamour 06:14 PM on 2/03/2010 Permalink | Share it Burnsey 06:44 PM on 2/03/2010 Permalink | Share it cherieamour 09:16 PM on 2/03/2010 Permalink | Share itTracy Morgan Undergoes Kidney Transplant 210 Comments WATCH: Diddy Offers To Expose Himself To Chelsea Handler 19 Comments ENGAGED 282 Comments Pantsless Chloe Sevigny 'Needs Therapy' For Vincent Gallo Sex Scene 521 Comments WATCH: Are Celebrities Changing The Face Of Philanthropy? 3 Comments PHOTOS: Paris Hilton Dons Leather Bodysuit 135 CommentsFOLLOW HUFFINGTON POST FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact Us User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type Copyright © 2010 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.</p><p> All rights reserved.
