As "American Idol" eased into Hollywood Week tonight (Feb. 10), viewers were revisited by many of their favorite auditioners -- and were forced to relive season ten's vast number of "sob stories."

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Nearly all of the contestants who won our sympathies -- including favorites Chris Medina (from Milwaukee auditions), Paris Tassin (from New Orleans auditions) and James Durbin (from San Francisco auditions) -- made it through this week, along with 184 others. Judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler trimmed the contestant pool down from 300 as "Idol" heads into group competition next week.


As many sad tales as viewers revisited tonight, the true standouts were the "Idol's" youngest contestants -- some as young as 15 years old, thanks to the show's lowered age requirement. The best performance of the night came from 15-year-old Jacee Badeaux, who first impressed J. Lo with his sweet innocence -- and more importantly, killer pipes -- at the New Orleans auditions. He wooed again, this time with Rascal Flatts' "Bless the Broken Road," sounding a bit like a cowboy Justin Bieber.

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Florida high schooler Brett Loewenstern also stood out as a young but mighty competitor to keep an eye on, flooring the judges with his rendition of "Let It Be" through his own nerves. His message gave off a bully-hating, "Glee"-esque vibe, despite his intense nerves.

Nashville ex-couple Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin both made it through with their smokey, country twangs, while another set of lovers -- Austin auditioners Nick Fink and Jacqueline Dunford -- didn't fare as well. Nick saw an elimination, but he wouldn't take it quietly, begging the judges for another shot before letting selfish anger take him over. It was less than glamorous.

Other "Idol" casualties this week included two young pageant queens, Victoria Huggins and Stormi Henley. The latter of two was pitted against "Don't Want to Miss A Thing" stand-out Lauren Alaina in a battle of what can best be described as "Steven's Girls." Alaina made it through with ease, as did 16-year-old Scott McCreery (who sang Josh Turner's "Your Man" on both occasions), who shocked the world with a voice so deep it makes Alan Jackson sound like a teenaged tenor.

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Next week, the sob stories, the Snookis (aka Jersey J. Lo devotee Tiffany Rios), the lovers and the youngins all get thrown together for a group round.