Ray Mickshaw / FOXIt's time for the teens and over 25s to shine tonight.
The youngest contenders auditioned for Britney Spears, while the older crowd sang in front of L.A. Reid in hopes of knocking their auditions at the judges' homes out of the park and securing a spots for the live shows.
We saw Reid's six audition first, and although he has very openly expressed his disappointment with being given this group, L.A. is still confident that he can bring out a winner. With his celeb guest mentors Justin Bieber and Biebs' manager Scooter Braun on deck, they began critiquing who deserved to stay and go.
"He gave it everything and it showed," Bieber said of Jason Brock who sang Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry," while also noting that he felt David Correy, who gave a powerful rendition of Jessie J's "Domino," "could go far." Scooter said Correy displayed "pure passion" which is hard to find these days, and even L.A. said he got "chill bumps."
Daryl Black put his "heart and soul out there", and it was noticed. Scooter said Black has a "special voice," but L.A. replied, "I didn't find the voice tone to be unique. I just didn't. I thought it was just singing." Bieber felt resident cowboy Tate Stevens was "charismatic" but wasn't sure if he'd hand a $5 million contract to him.
Vino Alan has a unique voice, the judges have already stated that. And after his audition, Beiber said, "That was a great performance. I felt it—emotionally, I felt it." But L.A. wasn't so sure about the full package. An overly confident Tara Simon (shocking) once again showed her range during her audition of Hoobastank's "The Reason," and the three fellas agreed she has a "big" voice, but needs more "sweet moments."
Regardless of who moves forward, the auditions gave L.A. Reid a change of heart. "In the beginning, I wasn't particularly thrilled with this category. After hearing the contestants, I'm having a change of heart and deliberating this category is much tougher than I could have ever imagined."
Then we were off to Britney's house to hear the teens, and her helping ear was will.i.am. Young powerhouse Diamond White gave a sweeter melody to Avril Lavigne's "With You." will.i.am felt she sang "amazing," but needs more confidence while performing.
Cutie Reed Deming automatically gives us a smile with his grown-up demeanor, or as will.i.am called it "a little emperor kid," and gave a good rendition of "Delilah" by Plain White T's, but Britney thought he could do better.
Rapper James Tanner let us know he parties like a rock star, which Britney found entertaining but wasn't sure if it was strong enough. Arin Ray performed a unique rendition of Nicki Minaj's "Starships," and Britney said he needs work on his vocals a little bit, but also said she loves watching him.
Beatrice Miller's nerves got to her before she auditioned, but after a little cry, she went in front of Spears and will.i.am and killed her performance of "Titanium" by David Guetta and Sia. Why Carly Rose Sonenclar isn't already a superstar is a mystery to us. The 13-year-old's voice is beyond her years, and like Spears and will.i.am said, "She's possessed." But can she handle the pressure?
What do you think about tonight's episode? Weigh in on the comments below!