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 talented female singers we didn’t meet during the Long Beach audition episode.

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.

Haley Georgia

Haley says she wants to represent country music on Idol. She also thinks it’s a girl’s year. Hmm, time will tell. Though from Houston, she auditioned in Long Beach, in front of Keith Urban, one of her favorites. “I couldn’t believe I was in his presence,” she admits. Haley credits her sister for getting her into music. “Neither of my parents are very musical. But you know how you go after your sibling and do what they do when you’re little? She used to do musical theater productions.” So Haley got involved, too, discovered country music and has been singing ever since. Though she’s a country singer, her favorite past Idol is Ruben Studdard. She says that’s because Season 2 of Idol is when she really got hooked on music.

“Be Your Girl”
For more from Haley, head here.

Juliana Chahayed

“Why not me?” Juliana says at the end of her Road to Hollywood interview. After all, she’s been watching Idol since she was young, has always wanted to be on the show and auditioned this year at age 15, as soon as she was eligible. She points to her siblings as her inspiration. They’re all musicians, she says. As for herself, she plays guitar and also writes music. “I have a very positive outlook on life,” Juliana says, “and that definitely influences my writing.” Her favorite past Idol is Adam Lambert because he seems so cool and confident and, of course, has “an amazing voice.” Juliana is from Woodland Hills, Calif.

“Moon River”
For more from Juliana, head here.

Kamaria Ousley

Kamaria sounded confident after receiving her golden ticket to Hollywood. OK, there was that little sigh of relief from the young woman from Oakland, Calif., but she also says she feels “destined to be here.” For musical influences, she points to the likes of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker and Michael Jackson. She watched and learned from them all. What makes her unique? “There’s no one like me,” she says. “There’s no one named Kamaria that I know of that looks like me, that sings like me, that has my gift.” Her favorite past Idol contestant is Carrie Underwood, not only because she’s an amazing singer, but because she carries herself with “such grace.”

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
For another video of Kamaria, head here.

Kylie O’Brien

Count Kylie among the folks who think a female should win American Idol this year. Hey, it’s been too long. Besides, her favorite past Idol is Carrie Underwood. Watching her transform from a small-town girl to an Idol champ to a musical superstar “really made me think it could happen for me,” she says. But, initially, the singers who inspired her included Mary Chapin Carpenter and LeAnn Rimes. “I listened to them on the radio, and said ‘That’s what I want to do.'” Now, she adds, confidently: “One thing I do know is that I am an artist, that I am creative and that I am a singer.”

“Glitter in the Air”
For more from Kylie, head here.

Leah Schaal

Leah initially auditioned during Idol’s small-town bus tour and wasn’t alone. Her sister Danielle auditioned, too, and both advanced to Hollywood. As far as Leah’s musical inspiration, the young woman from Twin Falls, Idaho, says, “I think it was just kind of in me. My family is so musical. We do musical things together all the time. It’s not so much that I love being in the spotlight. It’s just like, my gift is music. For me, it’s fulfilling to share a gift.” She says she has lots of former Idol contestants she admires musically, but her current favorite is Phillip Phillips. “I really, really like his style of music,” she says.

“You Raise Me Up”

Michelle Zarlenga

This young woman describes herself as a pop-rock singer and says it’s something of a forgotten sub-genre in pop music these days. She wants to bring it back and use her music — she’s also a songwriter — to connect with people. “Pop-rock that says really honest things in a sweet but sassy way is a great way to do that,” says the young woman from Santa Clarita, Calif. As for inspirations, she points to her father, saying he and his family are very musical. “That’s been a constant source of inspiration.” And given her penchant for pop-rock, it isn’t surprising that her favorite past Idol performer is Kelly Clarkson. She calls her the “epitome of an American Idol.”

“Leave the Pieces”
For more from Michelle, head here.

Morgan Leigh Boberg

She lives in Valley Center, Ca., near San Diego, but Morgan Leigh assures us she’s a country girl through and through. “I like my dirt and my cowboys and my horses<," she says with a smile. "I mean, I love the beach and everything about San Diego, but I'm a country girl." For inspiration, she points to her mother first. "She's a really strong woman. She cheers me on every day and makes me want to be a better person and a better singer." She says she's been working at music for a long time, really believes in herself and is hoping to "win them all over" on Idol. Her favorite past Idol is Adam Lambert, for his voice and his ability to "create an atmosphere and emotion with his songs and the way he performs them." “Killing Me Softly”
For more from Morgan Leigh, head here.

Savana Beal

What makes this young woman from Orange County, Calif., unique? Let’s see, she’s been to the Middle East, where she slept in Saddam Hussein’s palace. She once jumped out of a cake to sing “Happy Birthday” in front of 15,000 people. “I’ve just had some very random, unique experiences that were all awesome and make me who I am. They’re definitely different, but I think they make me different, in a good way,” says Savanna. Yep, those would be unique. For inspiration, she points to family, friends and students who provide her with “a great support system.” Her favorite past Idol contestant is Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee, who Savana says seemed very grounded despite her incredible talent.

No video located.

Selena Moreno

Wow, I’m sorta surprised we didn’t see Selena’s auditions. Turns out she and her twin sister Sierra, of Sacramento, Calif., both tried out for Idol Season 12 aboard the Queen Mary. And both advanced. Not surprisingly, Selena points to her sister as one of her biggest influences. “My sister and I are our biggest inspirations for one another,” she says. “I’ll watch her perform and get inspired and think, ‘Oh, she did something really cool that I could do, or incorporate, or learn from that.” Selena says she’s been working her whole life to do something with her life and also considers herself a humble person from a strong background who could possible inspire others. Her favorite past Idol is Carrie Underwood, partly because she’s stayed humble despite her success.

“Turning Tables”
For more from Selena, head here.