Ep 2. Auditions 2

In season 17 episode 2 of American Idol, entitled "Auditions 2," the search for the next superstar continues as contestants from across the country audition in front of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

The episode opens with a montage of auditions, from the good to the not-so-good. Katy, Lionel, and Luke are seen reacting in various ways, with Katy commenting on one audition, "I feel like I'm being punked right now," and Lionel stating after another audition, "I've never heard anything like that before."

Next up is a contestant named Brandon Elder, who reveals that he's been through some tough times, including losing his wife to breast cancer. He sings a rendition of "Gone" by Montgomery Gentry, and impresses the judges with his heartfelt performance. Katy tells him, "You've lived a life," while Lionel praises him for his perseverance.

Another standout audition is delivered by Alyssa Raghu, a 16-year-old from Orlando who also auditioned last season. She wows the judges with her take on Ariana Grande's hit song "Almost Is Never Enough," showcasing her powerful voice and ability to connect with the lyrics.

The contestants continue to pour in, with a mix of country singers, pop vocalists, and unique performers. One contestant sings with a puppet, while another shows off his skills on the bagpipes. A group of singers from a small town in Arkansas called the Walker Burroughs decide to perform a song they wrote together, and Katy declares them "legitimately good."

As the episode goes on, the judges become increasingly impressed with the talent they're seeing. Denise Weeks, a 28-year-old from New York, delivers a powerhouse performance of "His Eye is on the Sparrow," earning a standing ovation from all three judges. "You gave it to us exactly how we needed it," Lionel tells her.

Another memorable audition comes from Margie Mays, a 25-year-old from Wilmington, DE, who brings along her boyfriend Jonny West to play guitar for her. She's quirky and playful, but delivers a serious performance of "Shot" by Lawrence. Katy is blown away, telling her, "You're a breath of fresh air."

As the audition round comes to a close, the judges congratulate each other on the incredible talent they've seen. "I don't know if we're gonna be able to keep this up," Katy admits, as the contestants anxiously await the results.

Overall, "Auditions 2" is a captivating episode filled with emotional performances, unique personalities, and plenty of surprises. With so much talent on display, it's clear that this season of American Idol is shaping up to be one of the best yet.