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.

Sierra Moreno

Sierra admits she couldn’t control her emotions after receiving the news that she was headed to Hollywood on American Idol. “My first thought when I got my golden ticket was, ‘Don’t cry. Don’t cry.’ But I cried,” she says, smiling at the memory. “It was OK. They were tears of joy.” She and her twin sister Selena both advanced in fact, and she points to “the fire” her sister has as her inspiration. Another inspiration is a desire to help her family financially. “They struggle. Ultimately for them to never have to work again would be really nice.” As for herself, people tell her she has a carefree, live-in-the-moment spirit and thinks that might show when she’s on stage. Her favorite past Idol is Carrie Underwood.

“We Found Love” (w/her twin sister, Selena)

Stevie Rae Stephens

Talk about a determined young woman. Stevie Rae, from Livermore, Calif., calls herself a serious student as well as an aspiring performer. She’s pursuing a degree in music recording technology and wants to earn a master’s degree as well. “I want to be well versed in all phases of music,” she explains, “not just one.” She says a friend invited her along to audition for the show and she felt “sheer shock” at getting a golden ticket. Her inspiration comes from her parents, Stevie Rae says. “It’s like it’s genetically ingrained, because I’ve been doing this my whole life. I was just born to do this.” Her favorite past contestant is Kelly Clarkson. “She is literally my idol,” she says. “I love what she stands for.”

“Imagine”
For more from Stevie Rae, head here.

Summer Cummings

Watch out fellow Idol contestants. Not only did Summer have the audacity to audition in a hat that looks like it was swiped from Nicki Minaj’s wardrobe room, she was already analyzing the judges’ feedback and thinking about the “next step” when she got her golden ticket. “I’m very optimistic,” says the gal from Apple Valley, Calif. “Probably more optimistic than the average teenager. I’m always just going for the top. I never think of anything less than that.” After all, in spite of her young age, she says she has “things that are on my mind that people should hear.” Her favorite past Idols are Carrie Underwood, for her awesome vocals, and Jordin Sparks, because she “just has a light about her that’s bubbly and bright and reminds me of myself.”

“When I Was Your Man”
For more from Summer, head here.

A friend nominated this young lady from Scottsdale, Ariz., for an audition and she responded with a golden ticket performance that had her family seeming more excited than she was. Of course, she admits that might have been because she was in shock. Sydney says she’s been singing her whole life and thinks her variety of musical influences will be another plus. “I was introduced to a lot of different styles of music,” she says, adding she blends them into the music she performs. Though she’s been watching Idol as long as she can remember, her favorite past Idol is Phillip Phillips because he’s a singer-songwriter and that’s the direction she wants to head toward.

“Troubles” (original)
For more from Sydney, head here.

Tarshiba Rachelle

What makes Tarshiba unique? That would be her “VSP.” That, Tarshiba explains, is short for voice, style and personality. “With a snap,” she adds, smiling wide. “Gotta add a snap.” Well, we get a glimpse of her style based on what she wore to her audition. Her voice? Who knows; we weren’t treated to her audition. But there’s no doubting the personality. It shines through on her Road to Hollywood interview. She’s from Miami, now lives in Cali, and sums up her inspiration with one name. “I love Beyonce. She can dance. She can sing. She can perform.” As for her chances on Idol? “I can sing. I can perform. I think I’m cute. I just want to be an example. You gotta do that when you’re an American Idol.”

No video located.

Tori Anna Langfitt

Tori was one of the contestants nominated for an Idol audition. In the case of the Napa Valley, Calif., teenager, the nomination came from the jazz lounge where she sings. So her explanation of what makes her unique is hardly surprising. She describes her style as “a cross between regular pop and it’s also got a jazzy twist on it.” She was able to overcome a “no” vote from Randy Jackson to get her golden ticket. Regardless, she believes she’s “good enough to go all the way through.” Her favorite past Idol was Colton Dixon. She admired the way he was able to put his own twist on the songs he performed on Idol “without going too insane with it.”

“Our Song”
for more from Tori, head here.