Michael Simeon slow dances with the female judge while singing 'Stay With Me' with Keith Urban playing an acoustic guitar and Harry Connick Jr. on a grand piano.
- Jan 8, 2015
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" is not a dating show, but the 14th season premiere saw a sweet romantic gesture. During the auditions in Nashville, Tennessee, a young guy asked Jennifer Lopez to slow dance with him after earning a Golden Ticket for his rendition of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me".
J.Lo agreed to his request, stepping over to join the 20-year-old Charming Ole Miss student on the center stage. He then instructed the pianist to play "Stay With Me" again, before Harry Connick Jr. offered himself to play the grand piano. Keith Urban also took part, playing an acoustic guitar while Michael sang "Stay With Me" against Jennifer's ear.
Also stealing the spotlight in the first episode was Riley Bria, 17, who won a chance to play with Keith during an awards show in 2012. The country singer recognized him and the judges gave him three yes votes following his performance of Keith's song "Georgia Woods".
Emily Brooke played gigs almost every weekend to pay her trip to Nashville to audition and her hard work was paid off when the judges gave her a ticket to Hollywood. Kory Wheeler, a barista from a coffee shop across the street, got one hour off to audition. He sang "I Can't Make You Love Me" and was sent to Hollywood.
Priscilla Barker came with her 14 family members. Singing Tanya Tucker's "Delta Dawn", she got a yes from Harry and Keith, and a no from J.Lo, but that's enough to earn her a Golden Ticket.
Amber Walker said music kept her out of the gangs. She sang "Heartbreak Hotel". The judges were split, with J.Lo and Keith giving her a yes, while Harry saying no. Cameron Bedell, a Kansas native who lives in Nashville, also advanced after covering "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne.
Meanwhile, those who didn't make it include pro cheerleader Marisa Milele, and Kyle Blaine Corman who was deemed disrespectful by Keith for singing over J.Lo when she criticized his singing.
