Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol viewers aren’t likely to forget Halie Hilburn’s audition.

That’s because the ventriloquist showed up in the Idol audition room in Oklahoma City with her puppet Oscar.

Together, they turned in an entertaining version of “Cowboy Sweetheart,” complete with some Oscar yodeling.

But it wasn’t until after she discarded the puppet and performed alone that the Idol judges decided Halie was Hollywood worthy.

As for Oscar, he first wound up begging for money in the mean streets of Oklahoma City, then discarded in a trash can in one of Idol’s more humorous segments from its six audition episodes.

Halie is 27, from Vernon, Texas. She’s been a ventriloquist since age 9, when her mom bought her a puppet.

She’s also a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, was involved in a number of performances there and appears quite comfortable performing sans puppet, judging from the videos below.

After hearing her solo, Randy Jackson wasn’t convinced she was ready for Hollywood.

But the other three judges were. Mariah Carey complimented Halie on having a “beautiful voice.”

Here are three videos of Halie performing from a few years back, before she was married.

For video of other Hollywood-bound Idol contestants, go here.

“Nine to Five”

“Blue”

“Seasons of Love” with Spring Sing