'American Idol' Season 18 Episode 2: Meet Jovin Webb, the raspy Louisiana singer who brought the BBQ sauce
'American Idol' fever is now well and truly underway, with Episode 2 of the show's latest season airing on Sunday night, February 23 (It's Season 3 on the ABC network and Season 18 overall).
A whole new group of 'Idol' hopefuls has flocked to the auditions to try and make it through to the Hollywood rounds, intent on impressing the returning judges — Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Ritchie.
One of these exciting prospects is 28-year-old African-American Louisiana native Jovin Webb, who currently resides in Los Angeles. Although Jovin came to win something, he and his family have already been through some horrible losses already.
His darling mother, who was the backbone of his family, recently passed away, but Jovin hasn't let that pain and heartbreak hold him back and found new hope and joy when his young baby boy was born.
He came onto 'American Idol' ready to prove he has what it takes to be the next big music star. And boy, did he bring it!
Singing with a powerful, true-blue, raspy rocker of a voice, Jovin blew the judges away with his audition, singing a classic Allman Brothers track called 'Whipping Post'. The depth of his emotion and intensity was really felt by the whole room.
Lionel Ritchie was impressed, saying that he really "brought the BBQ sauce!" Katy Perry even said that his performance gave her chills in her cheekbones, among other magical feelings.
The judges said the heartbreak that he had gone through had really shone through in his smokey voice and were unanimous in putting him through to the Hollywood round on the basis of that song.
Jovin is likely to be one of the strongest contestants we've seen thus far, maybe even going through to the Top 5 of the competition.
Fans were also going gaga for Jovin on social media! One fan said "Yall... his blues rasp... and acoustic rendition of The Allman Brothers- Whipping Post... Just WOW!! idk its lowkey better than the original...." Another impressed user said "JOVIN WEBB WITH THAT FIRE!! Absolute STAR."
We can't wait to see what Jovin brings to the party in the Hollywood portion of the competition.