February 4th, 2009‘Idol’ axes 43 hopefuls in 1st round in Hollywood
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LOS ANGELES – Hollywood was just a layover for the 43 hopefuls cut Tuesday during the first round of Hollywood Week on “American Idol.”
The 147 contestants plucked from nationwide auditions performed an a cappella song of their choosing on the Kodak Theatre stage with 104 singers advancing to the next step in the Fox singing competition.
----------Advertisements------------Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell briefly sparred when hopeful Erika Wesley pleaded with the judges to give her a second chance. Abdul told Wesley she wanted her to advance, but the other three judges voted against her.
Cowell called Abdul out, noting that she had actually written down a “no” vote. Abdul claimed he could not read her handwriting.





