Ian Benardo
Contestant #4035
Ian is a self-proclaimed "superstar," dancer, and singer who previously auditioned on So You Think You Can Dance, and American Idol was his next target.
Rather than a superstar, Ian came off more as an obnoxious New Yorker with huge lips than anything else.
After rattling off Laura Branigan's Gloria, the judges stopped him. Simon called his performance "rubbish," and Ian demanded to see Simon's working visa. At this point, Simon was already bored with Ian's shtick, and security corralled him out the door.
Post audition, Ian ranted for quite some time, including his observation that "Hollywood is New Jersey with celebrities."
