As with Savannah, this was the first time American Idol has ever made a stop in Pittsburgh.
Heejun Han was the first contestant to audition, and it had bad audition written all over it, right down to his song choice of Michael Bolton's "How am I Supposed to Live without You?" His family even said they had never heard him sing. Only, when he opened his mouth to sing, he had a surprisingly good voice and received a yes from all three judges.
Reed Grimm, a 26-year-old from Wisconsin who has been on stage since age two, auditioned with the theme song to the television show Family Matters. The judges were enthralled with the performance and gave Reed a golden ticket to Hollywood.
We saw short clips from Aaron Marcellus, Chase Likens, and various other un-named contestants who also made it through to Hollywood.
Samantha Novacek sang Faith Hill's "Like You've Never Loved at All" for her audition as her sister planked on the floor in front of her. Yes, folks, Patricia held her yoga position for the entire audition because it helps her sister. It was a yes from all three judges and another contestant that would be heading to Hollywood.
We followed the journey of Creighton Fraker, who took a nine-hour bus ride from New York and wrote his own audition song on the way there. The judges were intrigued by his voice and asked him to sing another song. With that, yet another contestant received a yes from each judge and a golden ticket.
Eben Franckewitz, a 15-year-old from Ohio, sang "Ain't No Sunshine." Like all who auditioned before him it was off to Hollywood for Eben with a blessing from each of the judges.
Travis Orlando auditioned last year and didn't make it, but he returned this year and sang "Isn't She Lovely." He revealed to the judges that he dropped out of high school. To fill us in on what has happened since last year, and Travis told us that his mom left the family, they were evicted from their apartment, and he moved into a shelter with his dad and brother. This time around, he received yesses from all three judges.
Since Jennifer was running late on day two of auditions, Steven and Randy put on a little show for the contestants waiting to audition.
First up for the day was mobile D.J. and wedding singer, Erika Van Pelt, who sang "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," by Carole King. Keeping the streak alive, she made it through to Hollywood with a unanimous yes from the judges.
Shane Bruce, a 19-year-old coal miner from West Virginia, sang "Hallelujah" for his audition. The judges told him he would need a lot of work on his voice and told him he wasn't ready yet.
We were shown a short montage of contestants crying from being turned away, but there weren't any "bad audition" clips to see.
The very last contestant to audition was Hallie Day, a 24-year-old who struggled with a difficult past and suicide attempt. For her audition, she sang "I Will Survive." Sure enough, she also received a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Don't miss the next episode, the San Diego auditions, which will air Sunday night on FOX after the football game. Set your DVRs accordingly!
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