'American Idol' Season 18: Garbage man Douglas Kiker gives a life-changing audition leaving everyone emotional
Greetings 'American Idol' fans, it's time to buckle up for a ride that is nothing short of remarkable, as the fan-favorite competition series is back for Season 18. We might be only on Episode 1, but one thing is for sure, this season its safe to keep your tissue boxes beside you.
The two-hour premiere special includes auditions from hopeful contestants, a substantial amount of judging from our returning panelists, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, their regular goofiness and montages of forthcoming contestants.
This season, the series also adds three extra stops while they were on road for open call auditions. 'American Idol' Season 18 hosts auditions in the hometowns of the judges.
We also got to see a much more different side to the judges who were comforting and friendly to the contestants, by helping them calm their nerves. They also taught them how to be humble and not to have any attitude or ego while auditioning.
Most importantly, they encouraged contestants to do what they do best, perform and give their best during the auditions.
One such contestant who was comforted by the judges was Douglas Kiker, a garbage man with no prior experience in performing. He opened up that the only time he sings is when he is behind the wheels of his garbage truck.
Lionel Richie immediately sends him out with host Ryan Seacrest to get warmed up, so he wouldn't let his nerves get the best of him. Back after his warm-up session, Douglas reveals he is in the competition so he can show his daughter he can make a name for himself and give her the best of everything.
For his audition, Douglas performed his rendition of 'Bless the Broken Road' by Rascal Flatts.
Despite him having minor issues with pitch and range, Douglas did have an incredible voice, which is bound to help him go a long way in the competition. To help him perform the song on a higher range, Luke played the piano and assisted him in getting the range.
Ryan Seacrest was left choked after hearing Douglas sing and so were the rest of the judges. His voice had so many emotions, and he didn't know what impact that made on the judges.
Lionel shared, "For a man who does not know what his voice can do, for a man who does not have any idea about what key he is singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he is here to do one thing, he is trying to show his daughter, he is somebody."
Without a doubt, Douglas got his ticket to Hollywood. While leaving, Katy told him: "That wasn't garbage. It was greatness."
For one of the first contestants to audition, Douglas really made an impact not just on the judges, but everyone watching back at home too. We can't wait to see where this journey takes him from here.
'American Idol' Season 18 airs every Sunday night on ABC. Check your local listings for more information.