Keith Urban spills his drink all over Nicki Minaj as pretty hopeful wows judges in American Idol premiere

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 01:43 EST, 17 January 2013 | Updated: 14:20 EST, 17 January 2013

American Idol returned on Wednesday and the show opened with season 11 winner, former pawn shop worker Phillip Phillips singing his anthem, Home.

The new look judges consisting of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson gathered at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan to hear the hopefuls - and from the off, Carey and Minaj began to fight.

But their bickering was quickly interrupted by the first hopeful, called Michael Buonapane, who sang his version of Queen's We Will Rock You, before pretending to tune in to different radio stations and sing whatever was playing at the time.

Scroll down for video

Frontrunner: Shira Gavrielov wowed the new-look judging panel on the season premiere of American Idol on Wednesday

‘He's like Robin Williams,’ said Keith Urban.

And while he didn't make it through to the next round he won the heart of Mariah by telling her that her song, All I Want for Christmas Is You is the best ever Xmas tune - much to the anger of Nicki Minaj.

Fortunately it didn’t set the tone for the first round of auditions – as the panel were left impressed by many contestants.

One person in particular who wowed the judges was 23-year-old Shira Gavrielov – who grew up in a musical family – and came from Israel in a bid to catch her big break on the Fox network show. She had already scored a number one hit in her homeland - but was desperate to crack the States.

‘New York is the Big Apple and I wanted to have a bite,’ she said, before launching into a version of Valerie by Amy Winehouse.

‘I just want to say that I love you,’ said a clearly impressed Minaj before she and the other judges voted her through.

Whoops: Keith Urban was so entranced by the contestant that he spilled a drink all over Nicki Minaj

No harm done: Nicki laughed of the incident despite her reputation as a diva

‘I love her vibrato,’ said Urban - who was so distracted he sent a drink flying off the judges' desk and spilled some on Minaj.

Another contestant was delighted to see Carey - 28-year-old Tenna Torres, from Queens, New York, who got to go to Camp Mariah when she was 13-years-old and met the star, and hoped Carey would remember her.

Camp Mariah allows underprivileged inner city kids to have summer vacations.

‘I'm so glad to have an alumni here,’ said Carey who did not seem able to place her.

Tenna showed Carey a photo of the pair and told how she sang for her.

As Randy Jackson urged Tenna to audition Carey joked: ‘No, I'd rather look at pictures of myself.’
‘You've made my day with this,’ Carey said.

She's got the look: In her white Daisy dukes and black tank top, Shira already looked like a pop star

Experienced: Shira has already had a number one hit in her native Israel and is hoping to make it big in the US

She sang Carole King's You've Got A Friend.

‘I loved it,’ said Carey.

And so did the other judges - and she became the first hopeful to go through to Hollywood.

But it wasn't the case for James Bae, a 15-year-old rapper with 3D-style glasses and gloves, who said he wanted to be the next Justin Bieber.

‘I like you a lot. Do you have a girlfriend?’ asked Minaj. ‘No, I don't but I'm single and ready for you,’ he replied, pointing at her.

‘We're going to a collide together one day,’ he insisted. ‘What's a collide?’ she asked. ‘A collide usually hurts. I would like to do a collaboration.’

Meanwhile Carey suggested he take up DJing. ‘Don't sing,’ urged Randy Jackson.

Her American Idol: Tenna Torres was delighted to see Mariah, after going to her Camp Mariah when she was younger

Excited: Mariah expressed her gratitude for having an alumna there and the judges all said yes to Tenna

As he looked on the verge of tears, Minaj told the youngster: ‘You're special, just not for this competition. I love that you own it.’

She then hugged him as he walked out - before planting a kiss on his cheek.

Asked if he was disappointed he admitted: ‘Not really, because Nicki Minaj kissed me.’

Next up was 21-year-old student Christina “Isabelle”, who lives in Boston but is originally from Duluth, Georgia.

She confessed that she tipped the scales at 200lbs in high school but dropped a quarter of her weight - 50lbs - to follow her dream of singing professionally.

She wowed the panel with her rendition of Summertime.

‘You should go far in this competition,’ said Minaj. ‘Who did you listen to growing up?’ asked Urban. ‘Mariah?’

Hoping for a second chance: One-time dancer Evan Ruggiero was crossing his fingers that he would impress the judges

Good but not good enough: Sadly Evan, whose leg was amputated as he battled bone cancer, didn't make it through

Christina - who went to Berklee College of Music - said: ‘Yes, I want to bring that music back.’

‘Thank you, darling,’ said a delighted Carey before joining the rest of the panel in sending her on to the next round.

As Randy Jackson praised Christina's talents and education, Carey interrupted.

‘I didn't go to school. I went to the school of [bleeped] life,’ said Carey.

Next up was one-time dancer Evan Ruggiero - whose career hopes were dashed when he had to have his leg amputated as he battled bone cancer.

‘Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you can't be the next American Idol,’ he said. 

He joked with the judges that he was a one-legged tap dancer as the college student appeared  on stage with his guitar - much to Urban's pleasure - before singing I'm Yours by Jason Mraz and Bon Jovi's Wanted Dead or Alive, as he played along.

Transformation: Christina "Isabelle" shed 50lbs before pursuing her dream of becoming a pop star

Unexpected: Blueberry farmer Sarah Restuccio, 17, impressed as she performed a Carrie Underwood country song followed by a Nicki Minaj rap

But the judges weren't convinced - and urged him to think about whether he was really cut out to be a front man.

‘You don't understand how many people you will touch just from being here,’ said Minaj.

‘Don't give up on this,’ said Carey, who agreed with the others he wasn't going through.

‘I think this was a great experience,’ said Evan bravely after he was rejected.

There was a big surprise for Staten Island, New York resident, 19-year-old Jessica who was nominated by her mother to appear on the show without her knowledge.

Randy Jackson surprised her as she performed a set in a local bar.

She looked stunned as the judge and a camera crew burst in and he gave her a number to audition.

Not good enough: Jessica regretted bringing her guitar when she was rejected after fumbling her chords

In need of a shoulder to cry on: Rozanna Shindelman was comforted by Ryan Seacrest after hearing four 'no's

She sang one of her own songs and played the guitar- but fumbled a few chords. ‘I wasn't going to bring this,’ she apologized.

And while the judges thought she had some talent they agreed she wasn't ready for the big-time. ‘It's so close to a yes,’ said Urban as he said no.

Jessica fought back tears as she faced her hopeful family waiting outside.

The final contestant on day one was Frankie Ford from Flatbush in Brooklyn, New York, who didn't know until he was eight-years-old that he was adopted.

He told how he busks on the city's subway trains to make ends meet - but is terrified of friends seeing him and thinking he has failed.

‘I have every intention of outworking everyone here,’ he vowed.

He initially impressed the judges with his rendition of the Eurythmics hit Sweet Dreams - but had to stop when he got nervous.

Sailing through: The judges were seriously impressed with 18-year-old Angela Miller's vocal ability

Overcoming obstacles: The hopeful incredibly has 40 per cent hearing loss in one ear and 20 per cent in the other

And when he regained his composure he put his own spin on it - and won his place in the next round.
‘I believe in you, man,’ said Jackson.

‘I think you have an inner glow. You can't manufacture that,’ said Carey.

‘There's something about you,’ said Minaj. ‘You have this story to tell.’

‘This time last week I was singing on the train trying to get quarters from people,’ he said afterwards. ‘This is my moment. I don't want to squander it.’

First up on day two was Ben whose Michael Jackson-style red plastic suit and wig failed to hide his lack of singing ability.

‘Nobody out there wants it more than me,’ said Benjamin. 

‘Your dream came true,’ he told Randy Jackson as the judge said he'd been waiting for him all day.
His version of Boyz II Men's I'll Make Love To You - including the names of Carey and Minaj - was interrupted by the creaking of his plastic outfit.

Moves like Jacklson: Jacko enthusiast Ben serenaded Nicki and Mariah with Boyz II Men's I'll Make Love To You

The horror!: Nicki's jaw dropped when Ben started thrusting his crotch at her in his plastic outfit

And he ended his turn by thrusting his crotch towards Minaj.

‘It's not safe!’ shouted Urban as he hid under the desk. ‘You obviously love Tom Jones.’

‘I don't want to be the one to squash the dream but you know it's a bit much,’ said Carey.
Minaj said: ‘I really like you but it's not for you.’

‘The voice is terrible,’ said Jackson. ‘It's definitely a no.’

‘I nearly fainted with the thrust,’ admitted Minaj.

There was more bad news for 21-year-old medical student Rozanna Shindelman, who admitted she only sings in front of her parents, who were waiting anxiously backstage. Her performance of To Know Him is To Love Him failed to impress the judges.

‘That was a last minute song choice,’ she said. ‘Dude, that was bad,’ said Jackson.

He's a Belieber: Justin Bieber wannabe James Bae didn't hide his disappointment when he was rejected

That's better: But James' day was turned around when Nicki gave him a kiss

But it wasn't as bad as one unnamed contestant - who was heard passing wind midway through his audition. His reaction was bleeped out on screen with an Idol logo.

And the new judges seemed to be struggling to break the bad news to the wannabes - so they turned to the more experienced Randy Jackson for pointers.

‘You're like Obi-Wan Kenobi,’ Urban told him, citing the wise Star Wars jedi character.

Sarah Restuccio, a country music-loving, 17-year-old blueberry farmer from New Jersey said she was convinced she could be the next Idol.

She sang Mama's Song by Carrie Underwood - and then performed Minaj's Super Bass after Jackson asked her for more.

‘I'm confused,’ said Jackson. ‘You're singing Carrie Underwood then that?’

‘I'm not sure who you are yet,’ said Urban.

Dividing opinions: Gurpreet Singh Sarin - who says he is nicknamed The Turbanator - just made it through thanks to Nicki

First up: Michael Buonapane was the first contestant seen by the judges, but that didn't do him any favours

‘She's every little girl,’ said Minaj. ‘You are who you are. I really believe in this girl.’

And it didn't matter as she got four “yes” votes from the judges to go to Hollywood.

Medical receptionist Albert Chang, 25, from Queens, New York left the judges unable to keep a straight face with his shockingly out-of-tune and squeaky rendition of the Phantom of the Opera.

'Your range is better than Mariah's!’ joked Minaj.

‘It was terrible,’ said Jackson.

‘I don't feel star power,’ said Minaj in a Simon Cowell-esque English accent.

‘It comes out when I'm nervous,’ she said before critiquing several other contestants in the same voice, before Carey told her to stop.

Eighteen-year-old Angela Miller - who has 40 percent hearing loss in one ear and 20 percent in the other - overcame her difficulties to make it through after singing Mamma Knows Best by Jessie J.

Supportive: Ashlee Feliciano had her whole family on hand to watch her sail through to the next round

Jumping for joy: With his invitation to Hollywood in his hand, Frankee Ford's dreams were finally coming true

‘I haven't felt that for the whole day - that thing that makes me feel something in my soul,’ said Minaj.
‘We haven't had tone all day long,’ said Carey.

Brett Holt, who has tried out for Idol seven times, was seen waking from a jokey dream sequence in which he was told he was one of the best voices ever heard on the show.

In reality his version of When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole didn't do the trick.
‘I didn't feel it,’ said Urban.

But he insisted he was still one of the show's biggest fans.

‘I challenge anybody in America to take me on in American Idol trivia,’ he said.

Twenty-two year-old turban-wearing Gurpreet Singh Sarin - who says he is nicknamed The Turbanator for having as many as 50 of the headscarves to match his outfits - put his spin on the Maroon 5 song, Sunday Morning before Randy Jackson got him to sing some Indian scales.

‘Nice,’ said Jackson. ‘I think your voice might be a little too light,’ warned Urban who gave him the thumbs-down. So his fate lay in the hands of Minaj.

How scary: Albert Chang certainly frightened the judging panel with his homage to Phantom of the Opera

It didn't become a reality: Brett Holt filmed a dream sequence which saw him get through but it didn't come true

‘I actually have a marigold turban like your hair,’ he told her. ‘Just give me one more chance.’

‘Turb, you're going to Hollywood!’ she told him.

Ashlee Feliciano, whose family fosters and adopts ‘medically complex’ children, was the last to audition, and fought back tears as she told of her parents' sacrifices.

The 20-year-old student from East Hartford, Connecticut, sang Corinne Bailey Rae's Put Your Records On - and wowed the judges. ‘I'm so inspired by you,’ said Minaj.

‘I thought it was really nice,’ added Carey. ‘The potential is great. You should be really proud.’

Her family was then invited in to meet the judges before they all voted 'Yes' to send her to Hollywood.

The show returns Thursday night for more auditions, this time in Chicago. In all, 41 New York contestants secured a place in Hollywood.

American Idol starts in the UK at 8pm on Thursday and is also on Fridays, only on 5*.

Fantastic Four: New additions Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj join veteran judge Randy Jackson for the twelfth season

Comments (38)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now