It was the final night of auditions, and we began where we left off: with Trevor, the 13 year-old who they called the paramedics for in San Francisco. It was his turn on stage so they had to skip him, but after some water and gatorade, he finally got to have his time in front of the judges. He sang LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” and…. I have no words. The boy has no shame. He wiggled, shimmied, and hit some Justin-Beiber-style high notes. Simon said, “I’m not entirely sure that was age appropriate…I think you’re going to be remembered.” and L.A. said, “You owned the stage. You rocked the house.” Demi said, “You’re too cute,” and Britney added, “I loved watching every minute.” He got 4,327 yeses from Simon, making his earlier set-back a distant memory.

What would 16 year-old Owen Stuart do if he won X-Factor? Move back to Buffalo, NY to be with his girlfriend, Tori. The boy was suffering from some serious long-distance, first love pains, and he dedicated B.O.B.’s “Airplanes” to her. Personally, I thought that only the rapping was worth listening to, but the most of the judges didn’t agree: Demi said, “I think that every girl in this audience really wishes that they were Tori right now.” Simon added, “I think you’re very committed, focused, and passionate.” He got yeses from them and L.A., but Britney gave him a no, saying, “It was a really good performance, but you didn’t wow me.” Still, he was through, and called Tori to give her the good news.

Freddie Combs, age 40, is a Minister who has been on disability due to his obesity. Confined to a wheelchair, he had recently lost almost 400 lbs, and wanted to use his voice to give hope to others like him. After his wife pushed him out on to the stage, he dedicated “Wind Beneath My Wings” to her. Everyone looked shocked when he began to sing, and he had a gorgeous, soothing voice with lots of dimension. He got a standing ovation from the crowd. Britney said it was “shockingly amazing,” and Demi said, “It was very touching, and I feel a lot of emotion behind what you’re singing.” Simon said, “When you were singing, I had a vision in my mind of you standing and singing, healthy. Maybe you need some inspiration.” L.A. added, “If you stand, I’m going to stand right by you.”  He got four yeses, and after being wheeled off stage, he said “I have a lot of work cut out for me when I get home.”

After some horrible auditions and angry contestants, Lauren Jauregui of Miami, Floida took the stage. At only 16, she wants to give back because her parents with the money she could win, because they have worked hard and struggled to get by. She sang “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, and she had the crowd on their feet in seconds. L.A. said, “That husky, round voice is so mature. Perfect- perfect audition.” Britney said, “You were unbelievable,” and Simon said, “I like to be surprised and you really really surprised me. One of my favorite auditions.” She got four enthusiastic yeses, then went off stage and hugged and cried with her family.

Back in San Francisco, 12 year-old Jordyn Foley was the final audition. She pranced out on stage, her pigtails swinging, and Simon said in her pink, sparkly get up she looked like Britney from the “Baby, One More Time” days. To his chagrin, she sang “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” from Annie. She sounded like she really thought she was on broadway, even adding the the spoken part from the show. Simon laughed the whole time. Demi said, “You are too cute. You just shine,” and Britney said, “Your voice is really beautiful.”  L.A called her a bundle of joy, adding,  “I love that you sang a song that gave Simon excruciating pain.” Then Simon threw us for a loop, saying, “I do actually  like you, but for this show I’m going to say no.” She got yeses from the other three though, and then all her family and friends came out and hugged Simon, even though he didn’t help to get her through.

The show ended with a highlight reel from all the auditions, and prefaced what’s to come at bootcamp in Miami.   See you next week!

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