It's the stage of the competition where some dreams come true and others fade away: Hollywood Week! Hundreds of thousands of contestants auditioned for their chance to be this year's American Idol, but only 309 of the nation's brightest stars earned their golden tickets to Hollywood. And 68 of those hopefuls departed by the end of Day 1.

Hollywood Week kicked off with some familiar faces, including Johnny Keyser, the Florida native Jennifer fell in love with in St. Louis. Keyser was feeling "confident," unlike Heejun Han. The New York City resident was "very nervous" and just wanted to get the whole thing over with, especially because everyone in Hollywood is so "pretty...even the guys."

Heejun had a tough act to follow after Johnny, who dazzled Randy and Jennifer with "Dreamin'" by Amos Lee. Heejun took the stage next with Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," and Jennifer "loved" him. "That brought tears to my eyes," she said. Good news: both guys made it back for Day 2!

A few more familiar faces made it through with an "easy yes," including Hallie Day, Baylie Brown (a contestant from Season 6), and Elise Testone. Jen Hirsh, 25, was a little nervous, but the judges loved her performance of "Up to the Mountain" by Patty Griffin. Steven didn't even want her to stop! St. Louis standout Lauren Gray was up next, with Adele's "One and Only." Jen and Lauren both made it through.

Half of the contestants had to be eliminated on Day 1, so plenty of hearts were broken as the next batch of hopefuls begged and pleaded (unsuccessfully) for another chance. But things picked up with pawn shop employee Phillip Phillips, Jr., who had never flown on a real plane before. Then Reed Grimm, the jazzy scat guy, amused the judges by singing "I've Got a Golden Ticket" from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (and earned a standing ovation from the crowd).

Phillip and Reed made the cut, but we had to say goodbye to some audition favorites. Travis Orlando, the teen who hit tough times in the Bronx after his mom left his dad, was sent home after the first round of Hollywood Week — just as he was last year. "I have to go back to nothing at all; it's kind of hard to face that," said a tearful Travis. "I didn't think about losing, and it hurts a lot."

Ramiro Garcia, the inspiring contestant who was born without ears, went home, too, along with the "Wolf" and Jenni Schick, the music teacher who kissed Steven during auditions.

Day 2 was bittersweet for 27-year-old Adam Brock, who was away from his infant daughter for the first time. Jennifer thought that he sounded like Marc Cohn at auditions, so he performed "Walking in Memphis."

Brock was followed by Jim Carrey's daughter Jane, the Los Angeles waitress who dreams of escaping her famous father's shadow. Adam made the cut, but Jane's big smile couldn't save her. "I freaked out when I was there, so I was really, really shaky, so I know I could be way better than that," she said tearfully. "I'm disappointed in myself."

Remember teenage "ladies' man" David Leathers, Jr., from the Savannah auditions? He performed Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me," which earned a standing ovation from the crowd. "How does that happen? I have ties that are older than you are," Steven quipped.

Shannon Magrane, the "hot, humid, and happening" daughter of former World Series athlete Joe Magrane, sang "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. Jessica Phillips, who cares for her boyfriend after his sudden stroke, wowed the judges with Whitney Houston's "All The Man That I Need" (Steven called the performance "beautiful"). David, Shannon, and Jessica all advanced, along with Lady Gaga wannabe Angie Zeiderman and NBA cheerleader Brittany Kerr.

As the first round drew to a close, we heard DJ Erika Van Pelt sing Pink's "Glitter in the Air," which Randy called "a good way to start the afternoon." Jennifer wanted "more of that." Then New Yorker Creighton Fraker sang Queen's "Somebody to Love," and Jennifer knew that music teacher Aaron Marcellus would be good. All three sailed to the next round.

Next, Lauren Mink, the director of a program for adults with disabilities, sang "Alone" by Heart, and Jennifer noted that she changed keys. Jeremy Rosado, nicknamed "Dirty" by Randy because he works at an infectious disease office, performed Luther Vandross' "Superstar," giving Jennifer the "goosies."

But one of the most shocking moments in Idol history happened at the very end of the show, when 16-year-old Symone Black — who impressed the judges with Otis Redding's "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" — fell off the stage while chatting with the judges. Steven noted that she "hit her head" as a medic was called. Tune in to Thursday night's show to find out what happened!