Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Aliana Jester at the American Idol auditions with Nova, her emotional support service dog. (ABC Photo)

You’ll likely remember her as the singer who showed up in the audition room with Nova, her emotional support service dog.

The judges asked questions about Nova. But what really caught their attention was Aliana’s vocals on her cover of Michael Jackson’s “Who’s Loving You.”

Luke Bryan called her a “special singer.” Lionel Richie said Aliana reminds him of a young Whitney Houston.

We didn’t see Aliana during the genre round in Hollywood. But we likely will during the Hollywood Week duets episode, which airs Sunday night at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Here’s what Aliana, 18, from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., told Idol Chatter about her audition experience.

Idol Chatter: How did you wind up auditioning for American Idol (ABC Season 3) and what prompted you to do it this year, especially as such a young age?

Aliana: I got into auditioning from an old friend from high school who recommended I audition. I drove to the first open call audition in Mobile, Alabama and got a call back. It was super nerve racking especially hearing all the other amazing singers there but I just took a deep breath and went for it.

Idol Chatter: I saw an interview where you said you’d previously auditioned for America’s Got Talent and The Voice. How did that turn out, and did those experiences help at all when it came time to do Idol?

Aliana: I did audition for America’s Got Talent when I was a kid and I auditioned for The Voice twice last year, but I didn’t get a call back. I was a little discouraged because I didn’t understand why, but I kept going and ended up auditioning for American Idol and making it through. It definitely did prepare me for the wait. Waiting is so exhausted both physically and mentally because you end up getting in your head but it was still lovely experiences.

Idol Chatter: Why did you choose “Who’s Loving You” for your audition song? What’s your performance history with that song (for instance, is it one you’ve performed often)?

Aliana: I chose “Who’s Loving You” because it is a popular song that I sing and it shows a little bit of what my voice can do. I’ve been singing that song for about 3-4 years.

Idol Chatter: What was that audition experience like? Especially hearing Lionel compare you to a young Whitney Houston?

Aliana: The experience was definitely a great one. It was super long but it was all worth it. The judges were so nice and caring and Lionel comparing me to Whitney was insanely awesome! I know they have some high expectations on me.

Idol Chatter: Prior to Idol, what experience do you have as a solo singer? What’s the biggest thing you’d done prior to the show in terms of a musical performance?

Aliana: The biggest performance I’ve done before Idol was a tie between singing the national anthem for multiple events and being an opening singer for a famous R&B singer AVANT. It pretty great actually! Other than that I just do karaoke at local places.