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 Oklahoma City 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.

Addi Brown

Addi remembers the very moment she decided she wanted to become a singer. “I was on swim team when I was 7 years old. I remember my swim team coach — who was a really great guy — I remember listening to him sing the national anthem and just sitting there and thinking ‘That’s what I want to do.'” Now she’s trying in a big way on Idol, though getting past the audition wasn’t easy for the gal from Fort Scott, Kansas. She said the judges were deadlocked until Keith decided to cast the tiebreaker in her favor, though he initially voted against giving her a golden ticket. Among other qualities Addi says could help her … she describes herself as down-to-earth, says she has a tough skin and is mature enough to handle the Idol pressure. Her favorite past contestant is Haley Reinhart.

“Killing Me Softly”

Adriana Latonio

“Ever since I was 2 years old, you couldn’t get the mic out of my hand.” Those words come from 16-year- old Adriana, of Anchorage, Alaska, who says she feels confident even at her young age. After all, her Idol hero is Jessica Sanchez, who did pretty big things as a teenager last year on Idol. Adriana says she’s inspired by her loved ones who have supported her musical endeavors and that her goal is to show other youngsters like herself and younger that they should always pursue their dreams. “It feels like my dreams are coming true,” she said after receiving her golden ticket.

“Bleeding Love”

Andrea Brown

Andrea admits she left the audition room with a golden ticket, but with some mixed emotions. That’s because she didn’t get unanimous approval to advance to Hollywood. Now she’s determined to work to turn those “no” votes into “yes” votes for the next round. The young woman from Houston, Texas, points to the judges table for her inspiration, namely Mariah Carey. “Since I was a child, the first time I heard her vocal I was taken back. I’ve never heard a voice that beautiful.” Andrea thinks her voice, her heart and her soul are unique. “I really want to make a difference with my music,” she says. Her favorite former contestant is Kelly Clarkson.

No video located

Cary Gibson

Cary, of Purcell, Okla., said she audition in part for her grandfather, who died of cancer when she was 5. “I know he’s up watching me and looking down on me,” she says. “I hope he sees this and it makes him proud.” We didn’t see her audition, but Cary says she got a unanimous vote to advance to Hollywood. She’s been singing since she was age 5 in kindergarten and thinks her genre of choice will help her stand out. “I’m approaching this from a very blues-rock background. I love blues-rock and I am not afraid to be myself,” she says. Cary says she’s also confident in her ability without being overconfident and wants to show people “there is joy in singing.” She rattles off the name of several former contestants she admires, but says Kelly Clarkson tops the list.

No video located

Daysia Hall

Music comes naturally to this young woman from Baltimore, Md. After all, her grandfather played the trumpet. Both of her parents “have been singing since before I can remember. So I’ve grown up around music my whole life.” She thinks her personality will help her on the show, saying she considers herself poised, genuine and unique. People often get the wrong first impression of her, Daysia says, thinking that because she’s pretty she’s evil, mean, stuck up or high maintenance. Instead, she promises, “I’m pretty well balanced and I will give you more surprises. It’s not all physical with me. It’s deeper than that.” Her favorite past Idol contestant is Fantasia.

“Love Will Bring You Back”
To hear lots more from Daysia, head here.

Emily Reel

This young lady from Crane, Missouri, thinks she could be the next Idol because of the type of music she sings. She prefers country music, but she especially likes the older country sound. Among her favorite songs are tunes from the 1920s, back in the heyday of her grandfather. He, after all, was her musical inspiration. He traveled with a band. Every knew him and everyone loved him, Emily recalls. “He would always sing to me when I was little. He’s the one that kept me going, kept me singing. He’s always sing this song, ‘Milk Cow Blues,’ to me, every single time I saw him.” You won’t be surprised to learn that Emily’s favorite former Idol contestant is Carrie Underwood.

No video located

Imani Handy

Remember when “Tent Girl” made everyone sick during Hollywood Week in Season 11? Imani was one of the prime victims. She passed out prior to her group’s performance and collapsed again near the end of the group numbers, prompting medics to rush the Idol stage. Well, the young woman from McKinney, Texas, is back for another try and thrilled because all four judges voted to grant her a golden ticket in Oklahoma City. She’s got a noble goal. “I want to save the world through music,” Imani says. She’s hoping her versatility sets her apart, because she says she loves a wide range of music, from folk to rock. “I want to incorporate little things I love about each genre into my music.” Her favorite past Idol contestant is a Season 11 friend, Joshua Ledet.

Living on a Prayer

Janalyn White

That cowboy hat Janalyn wore to audition. It’s more than show. “I’m a cowgirl,” she says when asked what makes her unique. “Not every girl can say they wrestle 1,300-pound animals every day.” Janalyn hails from Salem, Utah, says she’s 28 and wanted to give herself one last chance auditioning for Idol. She describes herself as a very goal-oriented person who doesn’t give up, and she thinks she has the voice to excel on Idol. “I just like to share and touch people with my music. I want to make people smile more than anything else.” Her favorite past contestant is Carrie Underwood, an “extreme talent” who has remained “wholesome” in spite of stardom, Janalyn says.

To hear Janalyn sing “Hands,” “Santa Baby” and “Something Worth Leavin’ Behind” head here (Janalyn’s Performance Horses website).

Jennifer Hall

From Boulder, Colorado, Jennifer says she was inspired by her father. “He started singing when I was little and I just adored him.” She says she also draws musical inspiration from the likes of Mariah Carey and Beyonce. But she says what might help set her apart is her “positive and multi-cultural background.” For instance, she grew up in Germany. Her favorite former Idol contestant is Carrie Underwood. Why could she follow in Carrie’s footsteps and win the Idol crown? “I think I’m just a well-rounded person,” Jennifer says. “I have a unique look, a unique voice, a unique sense of singing. I just think I would be totally different from everyone who has won in the past.”

“Little Wings” (with Lo’Down on the Mothership)
For more of Jen singing with the band, head here

Jessamine Hamer

This young woman calls her audition “pretty exciting.” Why? Because she came very close to not advancing. The Idol judges were deadlocked 2-2 and it looked like Jessamine might not advance until Keith cast a tie-breaking vote in her favor. From Monument, Colo., Jessimine says she draws inspiration from the people she performs for. And she thinks she could bring a fresh attitude to music. “I’m just kind of chill in the midst of the chaos that is this industry,” she says. “I think I could bring a fresh, real sort of perspective to it.” Her favorite past Idols are Carrie Underwood and Phillip Phillips. She was particularly impressed by how genuine Phillip seemed.

Performing at a coffee house in Colorado Springs

Kalli Therinae

Kalli is heading to Hollywood on American Idol for a second straight year. Last year, she says she made it to the top 90, but didn’t survive the final cut that would have qualified her to advance to the Vegas round. She thinks she can do better in Season 12. She believes in the therapeutic nature of music. “When I was young, I went through a lot of hard times,” she says. “Music was always my escape.” And she thinks her maturity as a singer could serve her well. “I know who I am as an artist. I write my own music. I am a very passionate performer. Very determined.” Her favorite past Idols? She runs off a list that includes Adam Lambert, Casey James, Haley Reinhart and, of course, Kelly Clarkson.

“Angel”