American Idol Contestants Compete for a Spot on the Top 24

American Idol has graduated past the audition shows. American Idol hopefuls have arrived in Hollywood to compete for a coveted spot in the top 24. Making it through to Hollywood is a fete in and of itself and every American Idol hopeful should be proud to make it this far. However Hollywood week is much more demanding than singing in front of the American Idol judges during auditions.

At the beginning of American Idol, "Hollywood Round", we saw a group of 164 hopeful singers. Simon, the man every Idol fan loves to hate, tells the group in his "tell it like it is" fashion that only 50 singers from the group will be moving on.

This latest group of American Idol hopefuls has it made this season as they each will be given a second chance, meaning that not one of them will be cut within the first two days of Hollywood week. Apparently the show's producers do not want to take the chance of losing any truly talented singers during Hollywood week. If only everything in life offered a second chance.

The show begins with the first American Idol hopeful to go on stage, a singer by the name of Brooke who was discovered in Philadelphia, who you may remember as the young woman who has never seen a rated 'R' movie in her life. At this point in American Idol we find out that for the first time ever contestants of the show will be allowed to play instruments. Brooke, our singer from Philadelphia, begins the show by singing "Beautiful" and playing keyboard as well. Based on Brooke's performance I felt that the remaining contestants had better be prepared to do their best as the competition appears to be fierce. Even Simon had a compliment for this American Idol hopeful who made it through the first round.