Ep 4. Auditions 4

The fourth episode of American Idol season 17 begins with the continuation of auditions as aspiring singers from all around the country compete for a chance to make it into Hollywood Week. The judges, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, are on the lookout for singers with unique voices, stage presence and personality to make it to the next round.

The episode opens with a montage of several auditions including a rock and roll girl who wows the judges with her original song, a young woman from New York who brings in her saxophone to play while singing, and a brother-sister duo who perform a soulful rendition of a classic song.

The first full audition of the episode is a 23-year-old singer from Colorado who performs an original song on her acoustic guitar. Her soft and sweet voice left the judges impressed, and they sent her straight to Hollywood.

Next up is a familiar face, a former contestant from Season 15 named Alyssa Raghu. She wows the judges once again with a powerful rendition of Ariana Grande's "Almost is Never Enough." Katy praises her growth and maturity since the last time she was on the show and the judges send her to Hollywood for the second time.

Later on, a young singer named Walker Burroughs performs an original song on the piano, showcasing both his vocals and instrumental skills. The judges are impressed with his talent and unique sound, sending him through to Hollywood with a golden ticket.

Another memorable audition is by Nick Townsend, a 26-year-old farmer from Arkansas who brought along his pet goat to the audition room. As a surprise bonus, the goat joins him onstage for an impromptu performance. Despite being a mediocre singer, the judges appreciate the unique experience and give him a golden ticket to Hollywood.

A standout moment of the episode is when a 17-year-old who goes by the name "Madison VanDenberg" takes the stage. She performs a powerful rendition of Dan and Shay's "Speechless" that leaves the judges in awe. Katy even proclaims her as the next American Idol, and the judges unanimously send her through to Hollywood with a golden ticket.

Towards the end of the episode, there is a series of unsuccessful auditions. A few singers forget the lyrics of their songs, others struggle with the nerves, and some just simply do not have the vocal talent. But the judges offer constructive criticism and encouragement to these contestants, encouraging them to keep pursuing their dreams.

The episode concludes with a montage of some of the best auditions of the day, including a young woman who wants to inspire through her music, a country boy with a unique sound, and a duo who performs a shocking rendition of a classic song. The judges take a moment to reflect on the successful auditions of the day and look forward to more talented contestants in the next round.

Overall, Auditions 4 showcases a variety of talented singers, from those with unique voices to those who are multi-instrumentalists. The judges are impressed with the level of talent displayed, and as the competition heats up, it remains to be seen who will ultimately become the next American Idol.