American Idol spans a whole generation

MANILA, Philippines - American Idol (AI) returned with a bang last January. And how! The show, after all, is not called the “most successful reality competition” for nothing. Now on its 13th season, AI is still the most sought-after and widely followed singing contest on TV.

Through the years, AI has produced singing superstars not just from its winners but even from the non-winners. There’s Season 1 champion Kelly Clarkson, followed by Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee Dewyze, Scotty McCreery, Philip Philips and Candice Glover.

Then from the non-winners, there are Adam Lambert, Jessica Sanchez, Katharine McPhee, Clay Aiken, Latoya London, Bo Bice, Elliot Yamin, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Daughtry, James Durbin and Colton Dixon. 

Undoubtedly, the biggest star of them all is Jennifer Hudson, who was a finalist in Season 3. She is both a Grammy winner (for her self-titled debut album) and Oscar Best Supporting Actress (Dreamgirls).

The latest season of AI started with open auditions held all over the US —  Austin (Texas), Salt Lake City (Utah), Detroit (Michigan), Atlanta (Georgia), Boston (Massachusetts), San Francisco (California) and Omaha (Nebraska).

Country singer Keith Urban returns to the judging panel this year after joining AI last year. So does the lovable Jennifer Lopez, who is back after she left in Season 11.

Multi-awarded singer Harry Connick Jr. joins the show as first-time judge, after acting out as mentor to the contestants in 2010 and last year. Even from the first week of auditions, he was christened “Harsh Harry” or “Hatchet Harry” because of his comments.

However, Harry is far from being a Simon Cowell, yet Harry isn’t patronizing either. He is frank, honest and doesn’t sugarcoat his comments. He can be lovable and funny, too. He cradled 19-year-old Pakistani auditionee Munfarid Zaidi when told the latter reads his Wikipedia page every day before going to sleep.

At times, Harry gives a brief lecture on the right comments to say. You don’t say “pitchy,” that’s wrong. Rather, you should say “out of tune.” Or you don’t say “jazzy,” that’s not a word. Were the comments directed to former AI judge Randy Jackson (who becomes the in-house mentor this season, replacing Jimmy Iovine)?

The chamber — a holding room for auditionees where they wait for two minutes before they enter the room and face the three judges — can be a “gateway to heartbreak.” It can also be a “portal to stardom.”

The chamber is the final spot before auditionees face the judges, sing their piece and finally get the much-coveted golden ticket given by the judges to successful auditionees who will go to Hollywood. When the light inside the chamber goes green, it’s a go for the hopefuls.

There’s a new twist in the Hollywood week, which saw a total of 212 auditionees who initially converged in an airport hangar at LAX. Those who didn’t get three nods from the judges during the auditions were asked to sing again. Then, those who didn’t make it were asked to ride a bus that took them back to the airport.

On the second day of Hollywood week, half of the talents passed the group rounds. Even if you are singing with a group, you get judged individually as you advance to the next round.

This year, it can be said that AI now spans a generation. A mom, Nikki McKibbin, who was a Season 1 finalist with Clarkson (winner), accompanied her 15-year-old son, Tristen Langley, when the latter auditioned in Austin. The talented teenager got his golden ticket.

AI 13 is hosted by Ryan Seacrest and airs on Star World and etc.