For the first time since Season 6, American Idol visited Portland, Oregon, the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. But did the judges find a shining star or a bunch of duds? Let's just say that they encountered a bit of both.

As thousands lined up in the City of Roses, we met a contestant who dreamed of performing onstage with Sara Bareilles — and actually did. Brittany Zika, 21, literally had a dream that she was singing with her idol. Later, when her mom scored tickets to Bareilles' sold-out concert, she held up a sign asking Bareilles to sing with her, and the singer invited her onstage! "From that moment on I said, 'OK, I'm gonna go for it," Brittany explained. "I'm gonna take this as far as I can take it, and nothing's gonna stop me!"

Nothing did stop Brittany at her Portland audition, including tripping on her way up to the stage. Randy, Jennifer, and Steven were amused by "Tripster, the hipster," and after her performance of Brandi Carlile's "The Story," Randy marveled that she "looks nothing like she sounds." Jennifer said she has "one of the prettiest voices we've heard," and when she took off her glasses and her hat, Randy said he saw "the sass come out." The contestants "need to be a little bit crazy," according to Jennifer, so it was three yeses.

The morning was off to a strong start until we met Ben Purdom, 18, who sells cable TV on the street. Ryan wondered if his singing is as good as his sales pitch (as in, not very), and it didn't help that Ben had a nasty cold that prevented him from attempting his "falsetto." Ben tried his luck at Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (which earned a "bleep" from Steven), followed by Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass," which "in the craziest, weirdest way was actually better," according to Randy. Nevertheless, was a no all around.

Next up was Jermaine Jones, who looks like a giant (he's 6 feet, 8-and-a-half inches tall!) but is really just a big mama's boy. Jermaine, 24, has been singing at home and in his church since he was a little kid. Now he believes that it's his "time." As his mom put it, "He has it, he can do it, he will do it." Jermaine sang Luther Vandross' "Superstar," and Randy loved "the low, the power, the softness." Jennifer said she thinks that he has a "natural gift," and Steven was swept away by Jermaine's "spiritual voice." The judges urged Jermaine to loosen up a bit, but he's going to Hollywood!

Britnee Kellogg, 27, has two beautiful sons, but she claims that her husband held her back from pursuing her dreams — then he went on to pursue other women. The judges loved her sassy song choice that seemed to be dedicated to her ex: Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good." Randy said he "likes the attitude, likes the vibe." Jennifer urged Britnee not to let motherhood stop her from chasing her dreams, and she told her that she "just might be" the next American Idol. (Or the next "Britnee" Spears, at least?)

"Motivational dancer" Sam Gershman, 21, might be a little TOO bubbly for Hollywood. As Steven put it, "Could you be any more perky?" Jennifer thought that she "belongs on a stage" . . . but maybe not the Idol stage. After her Broadway-esque performance of Peggy Lee's "I'm a Woman," the judges agreed that she's "not ready" for Hollywood.

David Weed, 22, is a fast-food employee who's sick of asking people if they "want fries with that." But based on his performance of Rush's "Tom Sawyer," he might have to stick to his day job.

Romeo Diahn, 22, was considerably more impressive. Romeo escaped from the Liberian civil war and spent many years in a refugee camp in Ghana, hoping to make it to America. Romeo gave a unique performance of Bob Marley's "Is This Love?" Jennifer said she "loves his vibe and his flavor." She is a little worried about where he'll go in the competition, though, so she gave him a "little tiny yes." The other judges agreed that he's special — Romeo's going to Hollywood!

It takes a lot to wow Steven with one of his own songs, but Naomi Gillies, 22, did just that. After her performance of "Cryin,'" Steven raved, "You belted it out — we've been missing that all morning." Randy added, "That's how you do it!" Golden ticket in hand, she's moving on to the next stage of the competition.

However, you have to be more than just "adorable" to make it to Hollywood, as 28-year-old Ben Harrison proves. Ben is proud of his baby face, and he thought that it was his "time to shine" (or at least to laugh maniacally on national TV). But the judges were baffled by his performance of Queen's "Somebody to Love." As Randy put it, "Why, why, why?" Well, at least Ben didn't "puke or pee his pants," which seemed to be his main goal.

As the sun was setting, we met Jessica Phillips, a young woman nursing her boyfriend back to health after a sudden stroke. The couple was "meant to be," but after his stroke last Easter, she said that she feels a "different type of love" now, as she helps him with his speech therapy. "Every day is a struggle, every day is a blessing, because we still have life and still have a chance to keep going," said Jessica, 25. Randy said he liked her performance of "Again" by Faith Evans, and Jennifer and Steven also thought she did "really well." She's going to Hollywood!

By the end of the day, 45 contestants had earned golden tickets in the City of Roses. Who said Portland was glum and cloudy?