IDOL WATCH: Hollywood Week

Tonight on American Idol the male finalists showed their vocal abilities to kick off Hollywood week. The ladies will compete next week, meaning guys vs. guys tonight and tomorrow night.

The first round was of a group of ten guys, each singing an acapella song of their choice. The contestants received their results immediately. Micah Johnson, the contestant who has a speech impediment, sang Benny and The Jets by Elton John.

Other idol favorites, including Nate Tao, who's parents are both deaf, and Gabe Brown received a standing ovation from his fellow contestants. Karl Skinner, Dustin Watts, and Dr. Calvin Peters, all early favorites, unfortunately were not up to par and were sent home.
The judges fought over Cortez Shaw, who sang I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston. While the vote was not unanimous, he was sent through to the next round. Frankie Ford sang Nat King Cole's L-O-V-E was sent through as well.

Lazaro Arbos, who has a stutter, sang Robbie William's Angel was sent through along with others from his group including Trevor Blakney, Bryant Tadeo, and Charles Allen who all received easy yes's.

The last line of the day came on stage which included Brian Rittenberry who's wife is battling cancer and still came to support him. He sang Brian McKnight's Back at One but unfortunately did not make it through.

The next round is the infamous group round, which in years past let the contestants form their own groups. But this year involved a special twist: the groups were chosen by the producers. All in one night's time, they had to come up with a group name, memorize the lyrics of a song chosen from a list of 20, and choreograph a routine.

While the groups performed together, they were judged individually and the people that made it through moved on to the solo round. First up was a group consisting of Nick Boddington, Mathenee Treco, Matheus Fernandes, and Gabe Brown singing Somebody to Love by Queen. With great range from all four contestants, they all made it through to the next round.

"NormAl Hills" was the next group, which Johnny Keyser and Kareem Clark were both in. They sang Reach Out I'll be There by The Four Tops, and both Johnny and Kareem forgot the lyrics, but Johnny managed to barely make it through and Kareem was sent home.

Zach Birnbaum, Nate Tao, Cortez Shaw, and Elijah Liu were in the next group and sang Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad. Paul Jolly and Will White made it through despite singing the completely wrong lyrics for Don't You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.

"Last Minute" was the next group including Jason Jones, Dan Wood, (someone else, they didn't show their names) and Jessie Lawrence. They sang One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful and unfortunately all four were sent home.

The next group including DEvan Jones and Devin Velez took a chance by singing an acapella version of Payphone by Maroon 5. Keith said they could have done better with the band, but both Devan and Devin, and also AdrIan Went through while the 4th member, Ryan, went home.

Group Day continued with "Mo-Flo" which included Tony Foster Jr., Mario Jose, BurNell Taylor, and Darien Moses. They sang Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad. While Burnell was off of his game, he made it through along with Tony, while Mario Jose and Darien Moses were sent home.

"DKSK" was the next group which included David Leathers Jr., Kevin Quinn, Kayden Stephenson, and Sanni M'Mairura. They sang For The Longest Time by Billy Joel. Kevin and Kayden, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, were both sent home. Sanni and David, who was the last person eliminated in Hollywood week last season, made it through.

"Oz" was the last group of the day which included Frankie Ford, Papa Peachez, Adam Sanders, and Charles Allen who sang American Boy by Estelle. Frankie Ford was the only one sent home, despite Keith fighting for him but he vows he'll back next year.

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