Aishya Alzaabi, Miami, Fla.
Aishya has a twin sister she typically sings, performs and writes music with. She says she tried out for Idol once before, but it was at least seven years ago. Her musical inspiration: Mariah Carey. Her favorite Idol moment: The Idol Gives Back special, partly because so many big-name stars get involved for a good cause. “I tend to listen to more artists who are different and speak the truth,” she says. “People who write about things that people don’t usually want to hear or (don’t) hear all the time.”
Singing “Piece of My Heart”
Singing “If I Were a Boy”
Chelsea Chandler, Germantown, Tenn.
Chelsea made Hollywood in season nine and got cut, so she’s back for another try. She says people say they can feel as well as hear the music when she sings and thinks her ability to convey emotion in music will help set her apart. Among her inspirations: India Arie. “Every single thing she sings, it’s like that’s what I feel … She has a way of pulling it straight from the gut.” Her favorite Idol moment: The young girl who cried for Sanjaya Malakar back in season six. “Not only was it hilarious, but I feel like I want someone to cry when I sing.”
Singing “Wasted Times”
Singing “My Funny Valentine”
Ciara Farrow, Tonkawa, Okla.
Tonkawa is a town of 3,000, meaning Ciara describes herself as a small-town, All-American girl who is also a cheerleader and dancer. She’s been watching Idol since season one, when she was 5. “They lowered the age to 15 this year. I knew that was a sign. That I could do this … This is my purpose. I know that.” In addition to her mom, her inspirations include Kristin Chenoweth and Carrie Underwood. After all, Carrie’s from a small town in Oklahoma, too. And when Ciara was younger, she was a big fan of Britney Spears. She previously competed on American Juniors and was a contestant in the Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen pageant.
No videos
Emily Elgin, Oklahoma City, Okla.
If Emily’s hair looks a bit wet and messed in the photo at right, there’s a good reason. When she got her golden ticket, she and some of her supporters jumped in a fountain. She points to it as an example of her spontaneity. She’s another contestant who says she’s been signing forever, but didn’t realize she was good until middle school. And she says the best advice she ever got came from her dad. “He said, ‘Emily, if you work hard, don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal and don’t ever forget the main upstairs, you’re gonna do just fine.'” She also trains horses, according to her MySpace page.
No videos
Erin Kelly, Bradenton, Fla.
Getting to New Orleans was apparently an adventure for Erin. Her family, friends and co-workers took up a collection to finance the trip; then her family’s car broke down along the way and her dad had to fix it. She’s originally from Long Island and says she’s “always been singer.” Among her inspirations: Mary J. Blige. And her best advice came from an ex-boss at the Holiday Inn, who said: “The bigggest risk you can take is not to take any risk at all.” She also writes songs and plays the piano and was also a dispatcher for an alarm company at one point, according to her MySpace.
Singing on group day in Hollywood
J
ackie Tuttle, Gonzalez, La.
This 26-year-old beauty says she thought she was a good singer back at age 10, but had to overcome a serious case of stage fright before she could audition for Idol. Ah, but there’s another inspiration behind her decision to try out. “I’ve been in the working force. I know how that sucks … I don’t want to be bored the rest of my life.” Celine Dion has the best voice she’s ever heard, Jackie says. As for why she could become the next American Idol? “I’m a true testament to people who think they don’t have the courage to get out there and do what they think they’re meant to do in life.” She has appeared in a number of productions at Ascension Community Theatre and her full name is Jackie Dixon Tuttle.
No videos
Leave a reply