American Idol Season 23 Auditions Conclude with Powerful Performances

LOS ANGELES, CA — The audition phase of Season 23 of American Idol wrapped up Sunday night, March 30, as the show traveled to New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville in search of the next music superstar. The two-hour episode, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, featured emotional performances and the distribution of coveted tickets to Hollywood.

Among the standout contestants was Brooklyn native JMarie, 28, who captivated the judges with her rendition of Carrie Underwood‘s “Before He Cheats.” JMarie infused the song with a fresh energy, referring to it as a “hood anthem.” Overwhelmed with emotion after her performance, JMarie noted, “I had so many people tell me that I wasn’t pretty enough, I wasn’t slim enough. I just psyched myself out and I was scared. I’m sorry!” Underwood responded, praising her creativity: “You made it your own. I forgot about myself ever having sung that song. It was like I had heard it for the first time. Amazing!” With JMarie earning the first golden ticket of the night, Judge Lionel Richie encouraged her to focus on her potential. “You made it yours and came with attitude. This is the right time,” he said.

Seventeen-year-old Canaan James Hill from Dallas closed the night with a powerful gospel performance of “I Need Your Glory” by Earnest Pugh. Hill, who finished high school early to pursue his preaching career, impressed the judges with his mature vocal talent. “That was powerful,” Lionel Richie remarked, as Canaan’s performance prompted him to break into a praise dance. “You have been so blessed. That was something so spectacular, I can’t even describe what I heard.”nCarrie Underwood thanked Hill for sharing his gift, while Luke Bryan lightheartedly asked, “When you sing at church, what do people do? Do they just run to the baptism pit, jump in it, and get saved immediately?” After his standout performance, Canaan was awarded the third and final Platinum Ticket to Hollywood, allowing him to bypass the first round of Hollywood week.

Along with JMarie and Canaan, several other contestants secured golden tickets for a chance to make it to Hollywood. They included:

• Malik Bilbrew (24, Jacksonville, Fla.) — Audition: “Remedy” by Adele
• Caroline Brett (17, Orlando, Fla.) — Audition: “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
• Cal Buckley (20, Ontario, Canada) — Audition: Unknown
• Will Carter (24, St. Johns, Newfoundland) — Audition: “Dreams” (original)
• Sarah Day (23, Alberta, Canada) — Audition: “Wolves” by Jensen McRae
• Kyana Fanene (28, San Leandro, Calif.) — Audition: “Unaware” by Allen Stone
• Gabe James (23, Morrison, Colo.) — Audition: “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver
• Landynn Kennedy (20, Kingstree, S.C.) — Audition: “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
• Kaleo Knight (16, Westchester, Calif.) — Audition: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls
• Santina Madden (20, Yonkers, N.Y.) — Audition: “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga
• Olivier (22, Kedgwick, New Brunswick) — Audition: “Save Me” by Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson
• Clara Rae (22, Monroe, La.) — Audition: “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
• Samantha Ray (22, Ila, Ga.) — Audition: “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
• Nikki Rodriguez (17, Buffalo Grove, Ill.) — Audition: “July” by Noah Cyrus
• Ethan Senger (24, Woodstock, Ga.) — Audition: “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban
• Lexi Tieffel (16, Champaign, Ill.) — Audition: “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town
• Zaylie Windsor (18, Safford, Ariz.) — Audition: “The Used” (original)
• Trenton Wright (23, Helena, Mont.) — Audition: “Rich Girl” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
• Yani (26, Tabernacle, N.J.) — Audition: “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” by Carrie Underwood

American Idol Season 23 continues with Hollywood Week on March 31 on ABC, where the competition will heat up as contestants vie for a chance at stardom.