Is this the most embarrassing TV mom ever? Pushy parent shocks American Idol judges by heckling her daughter's rivals


Is this the most embarrassing TV mum ever?

The mother of 16-year-old American Idol hopeful Stephanie Hanvey blasted her daughter's other group members on Thursday night's show after the teenager was dumped from the competition.

She heckled the judges and dragged her daughter away from cameras when it looked like she was going to cry on TV.

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Narrowing the field: Jennifer Lopez pursed her lips while evaluating contestants on Thursday on American Idol

Narrowing the field: Jennifer Lopez pursed her lips while evaluating contestants on Thursday on American Idol

It came during the stressful group performances during Hollywood week.

'It's Idol's most infamous round,' said host Ryan Seacrest to start the show.

Nica Nashae, 24, Stephanie Hanvey, 16, and Cara Watson, 19, teamed up with 23-year-old pink-haired Jessica Meuse after she was left without a group.

Stage mom: Jessica Meuse looked on as Stephanie Hanvey's mother consoled her daughter on American Idol

Stage mom: Jessica Meuse looked on as Stephanie Hanvey's mother consoled her daughter on American Idol

Blaming others: Stephanie's mother blamed the other members of her group for her daughter's elimination

Blaming others: Stephanie's mother blamed the other members of her group for her daughter's elimination

Before the tryout they were seen bickering with one another as Jessica struggled to concentrate.

'I'm kinda struggling,' she admitted to the judges.

They sang Beyonce's Single Ladies, prompting a couple of winces from Jennifer.

Jessica managed to smile despite forgetting the lyrics.

And they all got through - except Stephanie.

Audience support: Stephanie's mother cheered her on from the seats

Audience support: Stephanie's mother cheered her on from the seats

'I love you Stephanie, you're awesome,' her heckling mother yelled from the audience. 'Awesome, baby! She's a superstar all around. You're one to watch out for.'

'Unfortunately the judges didn't see behind the scenes,' said Stephanie's mother afterwards.

'The truth is, you did sit down and give up. Stephanie had to pull forth,' she said as the other three girls looked on in disbelief.

She criticized Jessica for not knowing the lyrics and said the others didn't practice.

Getting nasty: Jessica was shocked to be singled out by Stephanie's mother

Getting nasty: Jessica was shocked to be singled out by Stephanie's mother

'You are so rude,' Jessica said. 'I've been working my ass off too.'

'I am telling the truth,' Stephanie's mother insisted. 'God is my witness.'

'I'm not talking to you,' said a tearful Jessica as she walked off. 'Drama follows me everywhere apparently.'

Tough group: Jessica persevered and made it to the next round

Tough group: Jessica persevered and made it to the next round

'America's not going to pick her. They'll see right through her,' Stephanie's mother insisted.

And she ushered her daughter away from the cameras when she was close to tears.

'You're NOT going to cry,' she told her.

Little consolation: Stephanie's mom tried to assure her daughter that Jessica wouldn't be the next American Idol

Little consolation: Stephanie's mom tried to assure her daughter that Jessica wouldn't be the next American Idol

The first ad-hoc singing group to perform was Three More Days, featuring David Oliver Willis, 22; Sarina-Joi Crowe, 18, and 26-year-old Tony Foster Jr - all of whom had made it to this round on previous series of Idol.

They sang a soulful rendition of the Alex Clare hit Too Close.

Jennifer Lopez said their harmonies were 'super beautiful.'

'We're going to cut half of you, at least,' Jennifer told the trio and the rest of the hopefuls who were watching in the audience.

David and Sarina made it through, but Tony was cut.

'Can I ask why, real quick?' he asked her.

First group: Three More Days performed first and David Oliver Willis, 22, Sarina-Joi Crowe, 18, advanced while 26-year-old Tony Foster Jr, right, was sent home

First group: Three More Days performed first and David Oliver Willis, 22, Sarina-Joi Crowe, 18, advanced while 26-year-old Tony Foster Jr, right, was sent home

'We look for the people who kind of jump out at us,' she said.

Harry Connick Jr said he spent '80 percent' of the performance looking at his feet.

'You've got to take the audience by storm,' said Jennifer, who clenched her fists in frustration and anger at her decision.

Serious faces: Keith and J-Lo were intense

Serious faces: Keith and J-Lo were intense

Next up was The Backstreet Cowboys.

Plaid-shirted country boys Dexter Roberts, 22; Casey Thrasher, 22, and Ben Briley, 24, said they had chemistry once they were put together as a group.

'The Backstreet Cowboys!' joked Keith as they took to the stage.

'There's a huge shortage on plaid right now,' said Harry.

They sang the Backstreet Boys' hit song I Want It That Way.

Plaid shirts: The Backstreet Cowboys of Dexter Roberts, 22, Casey Thrasher, 22, and Ben Briley, 24, all made it through

Plaid shirts: The Backstreet Cowboys of Dexter Roberts, 22, Casey Thrasher, 22, and Ben Briley, 24, all made it through

'Has there ever been a boy band in country?' Jennifer asked Harry.

'Not one of you looked like you were going, ''Man, this is not my thing'',' said Keith.

'You're all going through!' he told them as they hugged.

Impressive performance: Keith, J-Lo and Harry all loved The Backstreet Cowboys

Impressive performance: Keith, J-Lo and Harry all loved The Backstreet Cowboys

'My heart is just thumping out of my chest,' said excited dad Casey afterwards.

George Lovett, 24, and Neco Starr, 22, joined others to sing Bruno Mars' Treasure.

And Neco made Jennifer smile when he looked right at her and sang the line: 'I know that you don't know it, but you're fine, so fine.'

'He meant that,' she said, giggling.

Paula Hunt, 20, and Andrina Brogden, 19, showed off their powerful vocals as they sang The Band Perry's country hit Done for their group.

They all appeared to make it through to the next round.

Glasses on: Harry was proud of a contestant who sought feedback after being eliminated

Glasses on: Harry was proud of a contestant who sought feedback after being eliminated

MK Nobilette, 20, was joined by Briana Oakley, 17 and another girl as they sang Lorde's smash-hit Royals.

Jennifer pretended to get goosebumps when stand-out Briana began to sing.

'All three of you are going through,' Harry told the stunned trio.

Brandy Neely, Emily Piriz and Kenzie Hall also got the good news that they were advancing.

'It was a piece of cake,' said Emily.

Hunky 19-year-old Spencer Lloyd - dubbed one of the show's 'most eligible bachelors' by Ryan Seacrest - refused to practice his audition song with band members Megan Miller, 23, and 20-year-old Alyssa Siebken.

At one point Megan fluffed her line and had to apologize.

They sang Gavin DeGraw's Best I Ever Had.

'Don't cry,' Jennifer told Megan.

Megan and Spencer got through, but Alyssa - who looked visibly annoyed during the performance when Megan seemed to sing over her - was sent home.

As Megan and Spencer hugged, Alyssa looked furious.

'I'm going through a roller coaster of emotions. I'm pissed,' she admitted as she left the stage.

'Thank Jesus, I did not deserve that,' Megan said to herself as she walked off in tears.

'I feel like there were some hidden agendas,' Alyssa said. 'And it worked out for 'em.'

Tough trio: Alyssa Siebken, left, was eliminated as Spencer Lloyd and Megan Miller made it through

Tough trio: Alyssa Siebken, left, was eliminated as Spencer Lloyd and Megan Miller made it through

Pretty Omaha contestant Madison Walker, 15, was also voted off, as were Boston tryouts Keith London and 17-year-old Austin Precario.

'It's a lot to deal with,' Austin admitted.

Cheerleader Stephanie Petronelli also didn't make it through and was left bawling.

'Sound healer' Adam Roth said he wouldn't give up after he failed to make the cut.

Meanwhile, church singer Tiquila Wilson - who said she could be the next winner of the show - decided to quit.

'My heart is gospel, and I feel like on American Idol this competition isn't for me,' she told the judges.

'Our loss,' said Harry.

She insisted she was leaving with a 'better sense of self'.'

You've got to follow your heart,' said Jennifer.

Heart not in it: Tiquila Wilson quit the competition saying her heart was in gospel music

Heart not in it: Tiquila Wilson quit the competition saying her heart was in gospel music

Harry also joked that he was dropping out - of being a judge.

'I just don't like the other judges,' he said as he pretended to walk out.

'Please come back!' Jennifer said.

'No, he's fine,' joked Keith.

And as he walked off stage, Harry flipped the bird at the shocked hopefuls. His fingers were blurred by Idol logos for the TV broadcast.

As he returned, he joked that his chair was already gone.

'Randy's in there,' laughed Keith, in a nod to former Idol judge Randy Jackson.

Matthew Hamel, 16, was struggling the night before, battling with one band member over harmonies, while another was sick.

So he joined another group, teaming up with 22-year-old CJ Harris, Tyler Ahlgren, 20, and 22-year-old Caleb Johnson to create Freedom Breathers.

'I was crying like a baby,' Matthew said after his first group experience.

Sent home: The groups round was a struggle for Matthew Hamel

Sent home: The groups round was a struggle for Matthew Hamel

Caleb got his own mic stand while everyone else had to hold their own.

'I don't know the words, because I forgot them,' sang Tyler. 'But I'm going to keep singing for y'all.'

They sang Alex Clare's Too Close.

'Caleb was next to closing,' said Harry, in a nod to a Henry Mancini lyric, meaning he was the best of the night.

'You owned that performance.'

'Tyler and Matthew, you couldn't hang with [CJ and Caleb] today,' he added. 'You guys are going home.'

Caleb and CJ did make it through.

'I think that their decision was bullcrap,' said an upset Matthew. 'Their loss.'

Half gone: Matthew, far left, and Tyler, second to left, were eliminated, as Caleb and CJ, far right, advanced

Half gone: Matthew, far left, and Tyler, second to left, were eliminated, as Caleb and CJ, far right, advanced

Clarity - Jena Asciutto, 17, Munfarid Zaidi, and Allie Odom, 15 - were left nervously waiting to see if their final member, Sikenya Thompson, 19, could perform.

She felt sick and left it to the last minute to decide to sing.

'You're a trooper,' Keith told her as they sang.

'You can do it Mama, go!' Jennifer told Sikenya as she struggled.

They also sang Too Close by Alex Clare.

'We're not unanimous,' said Keith as he told Allie she was out.

The other three made it through.

Encouragement: Jennifer encouraged a sick singer to push through

Encouragement: Jennifer encouraged a sick singer to push through

'I don't want to catch what she has,' said Harry afterwards. 'I was hoping she wouldn't get too close. I don't want to get sick.'

Savion Wright, 21, and two others in his group advanced after singing Royals by Lorde.

John Fox, 20, however, didn't make it.

'You were not comfortable,' Harry told him.

Despite getting through Savion was in tears.

'We've been inseparable,' Savion said of his new friend. 'I kind of feel like I'm on my own now.'

Savione is competing in honour of his late brother who was murdered.

On his own: Savion Wright cried and said he felt he was 'on his own' after his friend John Fox was eliminated

On his own: Savion Wright cried and said he felt he was 'on his own' after his friend John Fox was eliminated

Love's Angels - Terrica Curry, 20, Carmen Delgina, 24, and Emmanuel Zidor, 24 - sang Say My Name by Destiny's Child.

'I would have hoped that you would have picked a song that you can sing,' Harry complained.

'I didn't hear any singing. This was terrible,' he said, pointing out that only one of the three had potential - Emmanuel.

The other two were sent home.

Loud and Fierce - Christina Collins, 17, Olivia Diamond, 22, Queen Bulls, 18, and 16-year-old Malaya Watson - were struggling in auditions.

They sang I Want You Back by the Jackson 5, prompting big smiles from the judges.

And they did want them back. All four got through after a nervous wait.

'There was some good stuff in there,' Jennifer said. 'I want you back - all four of you!'

'Holy shoot, we heard a lot,' said a tired Keith Urban at the end.

Next week the 77 remaining contestants will sing solo.

Moving forward: The ladies of Loud and Fierce all made it to the next round

Moving forward: The ladies of Loud and Fierce all made it to the next round

 

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