Lucas: Night Two of Hollywood Week -- how did Bluffton's Lee Jean do in the show's grueling 'Group Rounds'?
For the second night in a row, Bluffton teen and "American Idol" hopeful Lee Jean was spotted on the show's Hollywood Week.
This time, he was running the proverbial gauntlet -- the show's infamous Group Rounds.
Jean, 16, first appeared before celebrity judges more than three weeks ago on what is the final season of the show and was awarded his golden ticket to Hollywood.
In the first few minutes of Thursday night's two-hour broadcast, Harry Connick Jr. gave the packed auditorium of contenders an impassioned speech telling "Idol" hopefuls they needed to "get real."
"This is a competition," Connick said sternly.
As if the level of the week's intensity couldn't get any higher, the pressure to perform and get along with fellow group members was thrown into the mix. TV promos for the week reminded audiences at home of how brutal the rounds could be.
"Some just choke," said celebrity judge Keith Urban.
But on Thursday night, there was Jean, looking as calm and collected as ever -- this time singing with three young ladies.
After a few moments in which Jean seemed to fade into the background, Jennifer Lopez singled him out.
"Lee join the girls," she said. "You're going through."
Hollywood Week continues through next Wednesday and will culminate in a showcase round with the top 24 semi-finalists revealed on Thursday. The show is scheduled to run through April 7.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content:
- Lucas: Bluffton teen and 'American Idol' hopeful Lee Jean makes appearance on show, Jan. 27, 2016
- Lucas: Bluffton 'Idol' contestant planning to be himself as gets ready to go to Hollywood, Jan. 8, 2016
This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 9:13 PM with the headline "Lucas: Night Two of Hollywood Week -- how did Bluffton's Lee Jean do in the show's grueling 'Group Rounds'?."