The Rose Bowl saw ten thousand would-be American Idols on Tuesday’s audition installment of Season 9. The goal of this audition round is to get to Hollywood, but these LA auditions were held right in the shadow of the famed sign. Their journey would be shorter in travel-time, but the competitors would still have to get past the judges to get their shot at fame. Avril Lavigne was the guest judge on Day 1, one of the few guest panelists in Idol history who is still young enough to compete on the show (if she wasn’t already, of course, a huge pop superstar in her own right).

Neil Goldstein was the first featured auditioner, a young man with a very high IQ but very low fashion sense. He told Ryan Seacrest that the title of his album would be “Hope,” and entered the audition room determined to get his golden ticket. Neil then delivered a few words of Meatloaf before succumbing to nerves. Kara DioGuardi tried to calm him, and Goldstein pulled it back together to deliver his tune. Sadly, Neil’s vocals just weren’t where they needed to be to impress the panel. Simon Cowell cut him off with a chuckle, telling him “I don’t think you’re suited for this business.” “I am not leaving, okay? I am not going anywhere,” Neil made his stand. “You’ve got to have a reality check here,” Cowell maintained. “There is no reality but what we make for ourselves, and I am going to Hollywood!” Goldstein cried. The entire panel chimed in to concur with Simon, who asked Neil point-blank whether he was going to leave or needed to be compelled to do so. Goldstein finally gave up and left the room of his own accord.

Jim Ranger is a worship pastor from Bakersfield. He has three children and a dream. Thankfully, Ranger had the vocals to back up the original tune he belted to the panel, putting his talent on display. Simon Cowell found it “authentic” and seemed truly impressed. Avril Lavigne reminded Jim that “it’s difficult out there on the road,” and admitted that she liked his voice though she gave him a “no” vote. Kara DioGuardi also expressed concerns about Jim’s commitment to music, but Ranger exited the audition room proudly waving his golden ticket in his hand. Will Ranger soon be worshiped by his own fans? We’ll have to wait to see.

Damien Lefavor loves singing, but even more than this he loves practicing martial arts. Self-described as a “pacifist,” Damien advocates “looking like a fool.” It was pretty obvious from the word go that Damien wasn’t going to make it to Hollywood - unless, of course, he gets on a bus and goes there on his own steam. He so badly mangled a Righteous Brothers tune, the panel was reduced to staring at him with their mouths agape. “Damien, you should just go,” Simon Cowell put an end to his misery - and everyone else’s.

Mary Powers sang Pat Benetar with beautiful vocals. Her interesting look, lovely voice and interesting personality made her an instant shoe-in for Hollywood, but it’s up in the air whether or not she’ll survive that grueling week. Simon Cowell  found her “cliché.” Avril Lavigne liked her “punk rock” sound, and Mary swept the panel with ease to get her golden ticket. Mary’s adorable daughter wanted desperately to meet Simon Cowell, who gave her a kiss (and the thrill of her life).

The Adam Lambert clones were present throughout the audition cities, but none had the look down as well as AJ Mendoza. From the first note, AJ was an absolute mess vocally. “It sounded like you’ve gone to the dentist about then minutes ago,” Simon Cowell informed him dryly, adding that it was a “very easy no.” “Absolutely not,” Avril Lavigne declared, and AJ was dismissed from the room.

Day 2 opened with guest judge Katy Perry, who described herself as “brutally honest.” She proved her point by adding, “I heard the judges are arriving by helicopter, and I think that’s ridiculous.”

Austin Fullmer had a very ‘80s look and more ‘tude than Billy Idol in his shiny clothes. He even sang a Cheap Trick song - quite horribly - while performing some truly horrendous dance moves. Simon Cowell seemed put out right away, but Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi both seemed highly amused. “Austin, you are beginning to freak me out,” Simon Cowell told him. Poor Austin broke down into tears at the end of it all, convinced that Katy and Kara both loved his performance. This, of course, was not the case.

Many more tears followed, as contestant after contestant was rejected by the panel.

Andrew Garcia was featured next, replete with sad background music and the classic sob story designed to win fans over to his cause. The sheer amount of time devoted to Garcia’s package made it plain that he would win his shot to Hollywood. Andrew’s soft, melodious vocals were definitely enough to get him a golden ticket. “The only person who has walked through today who I truly believe is a genuinely good singer,” Simon Cowell declared. “I’m glad I met you. I like you,” Idol’s most feared judge told him. “You got mad vocals,” Randy Jackson threw in his opinion. The entire panel gave Andrew the “yes” vote, and Garcia’s dream would survive another day.

Pretty Tasha Layton, minister, sang “Baby Baby Baby” with smoky vocals to become the first female Hollywood-bound contestant on the day. “I love a good southern belle,” Katy Perry drawled. All four gave Tasha the yes vote, so we’ll see her in the upcoming Hollywood week.

Jason Greene changed the energy of the auditions immediately. Green’s intense stare was riveting, but didn’t necessarily evoke a lot of positive emotion. He very strangely sang “I Touch Myself” to Simon Cowell. The performance was incredibly odd and went on for way too long, though Jason did inspire some laughter before the audition was over. He blatantly flirted with Simon Cowell, who couldn’t put the audition to an end quickly enough. “I’ll see ya next year,” Greene promised on his way out. “That was uncomfortable,” Simon Cowell noted.

Chris Golightly is an orphan who spent his life as a victim of the system, shuffled from different foster homes his entire life.  He gorgeously sang “Stand By Me,” though I have serious problems with his look. The crazy hair and ‘90s-era chain wallet just weren’t working, but even these imperfections can be dismissed in favor of Golightly’s voice. “I’m not jumping out of my chair,” Simon Cowell said, but gave Chris a “yes” vote. “Welcome to Hollywood, baby,” Randy Jackson cried, which won him a hug from Kara DioGuardi and a joyful response from Golightly.

In all, 22 LA auditioners won themselves a shot to Hollywood. The show returns tomorrow night with the Dallas auditions, as we move ever-closed to Hollywood Week. While you wait, check out our other American Idol 9 posts.