Ep 7. East Rutherford, NJ, & San Juan, PR Auditions

In season 8 episode 7 of American Idol, the judges travel to two new audition cities: East Rutherford, NJ and San Juan, PR. The episode starts off in New Jersey where we see a hopeful singer named Stephanie unraveling under the pressure of auditioning in front of her friends and family. She sings "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder, but unfortunately doesn't impress the judges enough to get a coveted golden ticket.

Next up is a montage of several contestants, some of whom make it through to Hollywood and others who do not. One stand-out moment is when the judges ask a young woman to sing a song in Spanish, which she happily obliges, surprising the judges with her voice.

The judges then travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they're greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic singers. One of the first contestants, Jorge, performs a high-energy rendition of "I'm Your Boogie Man" by KC and the Sunshine Band, complete with dance moves that get the judges grooving in their seats. They give him a unanimous "yes" and he excitedly runs out to hug his waiting family.

Another notable contestant is a young woman named Limary who sings a breathtaking rendition of "At Last" by Etta James. The judges are immediately impressed, with Lionel Richie saying she gave him goosebumps and Katy Perry calling her a "diamond in the rough." She easily earns a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Next up is a duo named Gisele and Hugo who sing a duet of "Amor Ilegal" by the band Cultura Profética. The judges are impressed by their chemistry and harmonies, and they too earn a trip to Hollywood.

The episode also features a few emotional moments, such as when a young man sings a song in honor of his late mother and another contestant who brings his young daughter onstage with him. The judges are moved by both performances and give them golden tickets.

Overall, the East Rutherford and San Juan auditions provide a mix of energy, talent, and emotion, with several stand-out performers earning golden tickets to Hollywood. It's clear that the competition is getting tougher as the judges continue to search for the next American Idol.