Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The number of golden ticket recipients from each American Idol audition city far exceed the number of contestants we meet on the show.

Here are some of the female singers we didn’t meet during the Charlotte audition episode. The rest appear in a separate blog.

I’ve included a blurb on each with information gleaned from their Road to Hollywood videos on americanidol.com.

In cases where a video of them singing or performing could be located, I’ve also included that.

If you know of existing YouTube videos for a contestant who doesn’t have one below, simply let me know and I’ll add it.

And to hear more from American Idol’s other Hollywood bound contestants, head here.

Erika Riley

If you’re looking for an American Idol with a bubbly personality, you’re going to have trouble topping this young lady from Geneva, N.Y. Will taking advice from the judges be a problem? Nah, Erika says, saying she considers herself a sponge. “I can soak up everything and turn it into one big beautiful thing,” she says. Erika says she’s inspired by her little sister and mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and would like to use music to give them a better life. She was also inspired by Jessica Sanchez, the Season 11 runner-up who she says seemed so poised at such a young age. As for Erika? “I have an alter ego. I get up on stage and turn into a different person. I also like to add some spice in and dance.”

“Beauty and a Beat”
For another video of Erika singing, go here.

Haley Katherine Davis

This gal from Charleston, S.C., impressed the judges enough to get a unanimous vote to proceed to Hollywood. She says it’s her third time auditioning. Previously, she admits, she didn’t know whether she wanted to sing pop or country music. It sounds like she’s settled on the latter. She also counts Carrie Underwood among her Idols. “All of her music inspires me and I love singing them (her songs),” Haley says. As for experience, Haley performed at Showtime at the Apollo (Theater) when she was 11. She says she also yodels.

“Last Name”
For another video of Haley singing, head here.

Holly Miller

What’s a golden ticket to Hollywood mean to this young lady from Waverly, Ohio? “This is my big chance to do what I love, and that’s music,” says Holly, who adds that she’s been watching American Idol since she was “really little.” She says she grew up listening to the southern bluegrass/gospel group The Isaacs, so they have provided some of her musical inspiration. It sounds as though Holly writes music as well. She says she hopes she can relate to younger and older audiences and follow in the footstep of her favorite Idol, Carrie Underwood. “Hopefully, people will look up to me one day and say ‘I want to be like Holly Miller and sing like her.'”

“Lean on Me”
For lots more of Holly singing, head here.

Lauren Mink

Remember Lauren? We met her in last year’s premiere when she was introduced to us as a program director helping people with intellectual disabilities. The young woman from Winchester, Kentucky, is back for a second chance at Idol. A country singer, she said she was a little surprised Nicki and Mariah liked her audition so much. Lauren thinks her quirky personality and positive outlook will serve her well on Idol. And she thinks she could be a good role model. “I think I’m a good singer,” she says. “It’s taken me a really long time to say I’m a good singer. It’s taken a lot of people telling me I’m a good singer. I don’t feel like I’m cocky about it, just confident in who I am as an artist.”

“Piece of My Heart”
For lots more of Lauren singing, head here.

Na’chelle Fullins-Lovell

From Charlotte, N.C., Nachelle says her mom prompted her to try out. Now that she’s Hollywood bound, she sees it as a potentially life-changing opportunity. And she thinks she’s versatile enough to take advantage of that opportunity. “I can sing opera, R&B, jazz and gospel,” says Nachelle. “I think that can put me over some of my competitors.” Her favorite past Idol contestant is Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard for his amazing voice, something you might not have expected when he walked on stage the first time. She says she’s capable of surprising, too. “You’re expecting one thing, but by the end of the song, I’m going to take you somewhere.”

No video located.

Roseline “Ciatu” Kromah

From Charlotte, N.C., She thinks she has something different “America needs to hear.” Randy said he didn’t think her voice fit the competition. She asked to sing something else, and that’s what got her the golden ticket. Her parents migrated to the U.S. from Liberia “so I could be born in a country where I could have the American dream. What better way to do it than being on American Idol, which is all about the American dream.” Her parents pushed her do it. “My appearance is offsetting to the way I sing. Fantasia — epitomized the Idol dream.” She thinks she brings something different that Idol hasn’t heard before. “America needs something new and different, and I bring that.”

“Skyfall”
For more of Ciatu singing, head here.

Serina-Joi Crowe

Talk about big aspirations. “I want to be the next era,” Serina-Joi says. “I want to make a mark like Tina Turner, Pat Benetar, Joan Jett,” explaining that she admires singers who pour heart and soul into every performance. The young woman from Columbia, Tenn., said she got yes votes to advance to Hollywood from Randy, Nicki and Mariah. She credits her mom for providing her constant encouragement and helping her “find myself in music.” As for that music, Serina-Joi says she has her own style. “They can’t compare me to anyone. I don’t sound like anyone. I have the tendency to just blow the roof off places.” Her favorite past contestant: Deandre Brackensick, who she describes as the “most humble being” she’s ever encountered.

“We Are Never Getting Back Together”
For more of Serina-Joi singing, head here.

Shawdai Crowe

Shawdai said she sees her golden ticket to Hollywood as her “ticket to freedom.” “God gave me a gift to use, and I’m going to show the world,” says the young woman from Charlotte, N.C. She says different experiences she’s been through and “different boxes I’ve been held in” have inspired her more than a particular person. “Look at me,” she says. “Where else would you find another Shawdai Crowe? I do give my all. I sing from the heart.” Her favorite past Idol contestant is Fantasia, for her style and her amazing voice.

No video located

Summer Cunningham

Summer, from Warner Robbins, Ga., was the singer caught on stage when the great country music debate broke out among the Idol judges, ultimately prompting Nicki to stomp off stage … after Summer left with her golden ticket. Well, there’s an interesting story to how Summer started singing, too. She says it started with her dad, when she was 5. “He bribed me with a trip to Disney World if I would sing in my school talent show. And I did. I just stood there. I didn’t move. But I sang. I got my trip to Disney World. Since then I’ve been singing.” She says people look at her and don’t expect the soulfulness in her voice. For the record, judges, she likes to combine soul and country, which is what she said before the great debate broke out. Kelly Clarkson is her favorite past Idol.

“If I Die Young”

Vanessa Quillao

This young lady from Orlando, Fla., says she considers herself a triple threat because of her talent, personality and looks. She also says she’s been wanting to audtion for Idol for a long time and says she was inspired watching her mom sing at an early age because she sang so well. “I feel like I can bring something new to the table, Vanessa says. “There aren’t that many singers nowadays who actually sing actual songs. I want to bring actual music and lyrics and melody back into the music industry.” Jessica Sanchez, a fellow Filopino, is her favorite former Idol contestant.

“Someone Like You”
For more music from Vanessa Q, head here.