Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Lauren Ogburn walked into the American Idol audition room determined to be a different type of contestant — a country singer who’s “a little rough around the edges.”

The 19-year-old “tough” gal from Lake City, Fla., left the room in tears.

Lauren Ogburn auditions for Season 13 of American Idol in Atlanta. (FOX Photo)

Not because her audition didn’t go well. They were tears of joy because it did, and she was Hollywood bound.

“I don’t cry,” she told the Idol cameras while celebrating with her family. “It’s crazy because I don’t cry like this.”

Identified as a receptionist by Idol, Lauren sang “Fancy” for the judges.

And except for some advice to tone down the Americana accessories she was wearing, she got rave reviews and three yeses from the Idol judges.

In spite of the tough exterior, Lauren admits in her Road to Hollywood video that she was nervous heading into the audition room. Heck, she said she was still nervous — and didn’t know why — after she had the golden ticket.

She said Idol is something she’s always wanted to do, and her family decided Season 13 was the perfect opportunity because the auditions were so close.

For musical influences, she points to country singers Miranda Lambert, Justin Moore, Merle Haggard, Rebe McEntire, Waylon Jennings, George Jones and Loretta Lynn.

What will make Lauren stand out on Idol?

“I’m an outlaw country girl,” she says. “Rough around the edges. A little bit sassy. And I put a lot of twang in my music.”

If you’d like to follow Lauren, here are links to her Facebook page and Twitter account (@Lauren_Ashlea_).

I’ve embedded some non-Idol video of her performing below. You can hear more on her YouTube channel.

“Better” (Maggie Rose cover)

“Long Night Gone” (original)

“Heart Like Mine” (Miranda Lambert cover)