American Idol Auditions
Cow Palace, Daly City
July 17, 2008
Video by Edward Paik

(Click here for a slideshow.)

Another year, another Idol for Cassandra Lowe. The 27-year-old Martinez native found herself halfway up the coast to audition for her second American Idol Thursday. Unfortunately, she still wasn’t what America was looking for. But not everyone went home Denise Gonzalez couldn’t stop smiling after walking out with newfound friend Elio Montoya -- 20 years of singing had gotten her a call back. Her smile and other’s reactions in the footage below:

By the Way: Justin Guarini, first season runner-up to American Idol Kelly Clarkson, stood outside the main entrance as T.V. host for TV Guide. He interviewed others like himself: those couldn’t make it to the top.