American Idol returns on a high note

MANILA, Philippines - The show that turns singers into superstars is back, and the judges are ready to make dreams come true.

After 12 seasons, American Idol (AI) returns to reinforce its reputation as the singing search on TV that has churned out big-selling and award-winning artists.

AI finalists have produced more than 200 albums, scored No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts over 400 times, and garnered more than 250 million iTunes downloads.

This January, witness the road to fame as etc brings to the Philippine TV American Idol Season 13. The two-day premiere last Jan. 16 and 17 on etc generated positive reviews.   

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and featuring judges Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, along with in-house mentor Randy Jackson, the series continues its search across America to find the next singing superstar.

Here are excerpts from the AI livestreaming interview that Ryan did with the judges. 

What would you say, to start this lucky Season 13, we are looking for in the next American Idol, Jennifer?

Jennifer: “I think what we’re always looking for is somebody who can have a sustained career over a long period of time. Somebody who’s the full package, who can come in, who can touch your heart with his singing and just reaches through the television and into the hearts of America. That’s what’s going to win at the end of the day.”

Keith, what stands out when you think about all the cities that we’ve been to, and you look at what we’ve found and what we’ve brought back, what is most memorable to you?

Keith: “I think, it sounds so simple, but I think the level of talent. I mean the level of just natural, raw talent. And for me what I’ve always loved about Idol is watching someone that comes from some town we’ve never heard of, some small little place, and they have this amazing gift but they don’t have anything else yet. They have ‘it’ but they haven’t got all the rest yet. And this journey allows them to get all of that and we watch blossom right before our eyes.”

And Harry, how much did you enjoy picking that young man up and twirling him around?

Keith: “I wish he had picked you up!”

Harry: “I haven’t bathed since. That son of a gun smelled good.”

Jennifer: “What did you say backstage, you were like ‘I could watch that over and over again.’”

Harry: “My favorite part is when Jen does that giggle; it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life! I love it.”

(Twitter question to Jennifer) Have you found a contestant that reminds you of your own story?

Jennifer: “I think every year, there’s been girls that come in that remind me of myself at that time when I was auditioning and going out there. I think that’s what I love about the show. So many times, many times that’s happened, and this year as well.”

There were some contestants that came in this season that literally are so grateful to be in the room they break down in tears. What do you feel when you see that kind of emotion coming from somebody you’ve never met before?

Jennifer: “It’s overwhelming, it really is overwhelming and it’s humbling. Sometimes, I can’t even look at them; I have to look away. And it may be misread, but the truth is it touches my heart so much I can’t even let it all the way in. Because I will start sobbing, you guys know! I will start sobbing. And then later on when I’m thinking about it at home, and I’m like ‘Wow, what that girl said, I can’t believe it,’ I’m just really grateful. I’m really grateful that I’m able to do what I love and that it can inspire or make somebody believe in themselves more in any way. That’s like probably the best thing in life I think.”

(Facebook question to Keith) If you were a contestant on this show, what advice would you want to receive?

Keith: “You’re going to Hollywood! A performance of mine when I was 16 just popped up on YouTube recently, and it’s weird because I don’t remember doing it. And it was on a singing TV talent show in Australia when I was 16. And I got some fairly harsh criticism from the judges, but I also thought they were right. I still had a lot to learn about my craft, and I took that to heart. I knew that I’d just come from a small town, and…”

What was their biggest criticism?

Keith: “It wasn’t very good. I was watching it going, ‘Ah dude, I thought I sang better than that?’ But it wasn’t very good and the guy was saying, ‘You’re kind of just ah, you know you’re opening your mouth and sound is coming out, and that’s about all that’s happening. But I can tell you enjoy it, and if it’s something you want to do then I would advise you to learn more about singing and singing properly’ and all of that. And he was right; I mean I wasn’t very good.”

So that feedback kind of fuelled you to make yourself better and it worked out for you.

Keith: “Yep.”

(Question from an audience member) If you were performing today, what three judges would you want up there to hear you?

Keith: “I’d go with Ellen (DeGeneres).”

Jennifer: “I’d go with Ellen, too! I want Ellen!”

Harry: “When you said anyone, I’m thinking of like Thor, some fictional characters.”

Jennifer: “I would pick all the nice judges; I would pick Ellen and Paula (Abdul), and myself!”

Harry: “I don’t know man, we all love Ellen, I mean Ellen’s pretty fun, we just love Ellen, I’d pick Ellen.”

(Twitter question for all judges) Who is the hardest judge to impress this year?

Harry: “I think maybe because I listen so intently, I do, to every single contestant. People come to me all the time and they say, ‘Are you OK? Are you angry?’ I have that intense face, my wife tells me all the time. I love life, I’m very happy, but sometimes like I saw backstage watching the screen that my face, ‘Dude lighten up a bit, you look mean.’ But I’m really, really, really listening. But I guess, you know what, let me just go out and say it — I think we have a pretty low standard right now and yes, I am hard to impress because I think we can do better.

“I think there’s amazing talent out there, I’m sitting up here with some of them, but we can do better then what’s out there. Let’s just get really real, this has nothing to do with talent, this has to do with the standard, this is America man, this is the greatest country in the world. We have access, especially now, to get to any kind of musical education, any kind of influence, it’s all on your phone. So yeah, I guess honestly I am a little hard to impress, but it’s just a challenge to these young performers to work at your fricking craft! Work at it! Practice! Go buy a book, if you can’t afford a book, go to the library. I learnt 90 percent of what I know in one room in a public school in New Orleans. Not in college, I learnt it in high school. I don’t have a degree, you know what I’m saying?”

(American Idol XIII airs Thursdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. via satellite on etc.)