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.

Kathleen Swartz

Why did Kathleen audition for Idol? Because her friends paid for her to travel from Ellensburg, Wash., to Oklahoma City to try out. Kathleen said she had actually stopped performing when she got pregnant three years prior. The Idol audition marked her first public performance since then. It must have gone well. She landed a golden ticket and admits she started crying when she did. “I never thought that would be my reaction, but I definitely did.” She said her son provides inspiration. Should she do well in music, she’d also like to work with a foundation that fights Down Syndrome, on behalf of a younger brother who suffers from the disease. She says her favorite former Idol contestant is Phillip Phillips.

No video located

Kree Harrison

Kree says she auditioned at the recommendation of her sister and was ecstatic that she followed her advice after landing a golden ticket. From Texas, but now living in Nashville, Kree doesn’t sound like a novice to the music business. In fact, in her Road to Hollywood video, she talked about landing and losing a record deal. “I’ve been through trials and tribulations in the industry,” she says. “I feel like I’ve worked my whole life and paid my dues in Nashville. And I will continue to do that.” She adds that she’s always loved performing and finds live performances — hers or someone else’s — inspiring. Her favorite former Idol contestant is Kelly Clarkson, who she says has “one of the prettiest voices I’ve ever heard.”

“You Would’ve Wanted It That Way”
To hear more from Kree go here.

Lauren Bettes

Lauren says she was “surprised out of her mind” when she got her golden ticket. “You never know how they’re going to react to you. Who they’re going to like,” she explains. From Cooper, Texas, she says she’s inspired by her mother and her mother’s side of the family because “they’re always singing. They make it fun.” Lauren’s favorite singer of all time is the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson. Like Kelly, Lauren says she’s a small-town girl. Why does she have a shot at winning? “It’s time for a country singer who’s relatable, and I feel like I could be a great role model for people,” Lauren says.

No video located

Lexi Schmidt

This young woman from Tulsa, Okla., says she always wanted to audition for Idol and was thrilled when the judges voted unanimously to send her through to Hollywood. She was especially pleased with the way they told her that she “lights up” when she performs. “I don’t get nervous anymore,” she says. “I’m just excited to get up there and do my thing.” Her musical inspirations include Carrie Underwood and Colbie Caillat. And a grandfather who passed away close to the time of the Idol auditions. “He loved music. He loved watching me perform. It made him happy,” she says. Lexi is also hoping her fun personality helps her on Idol.

No video located

Melissa Ruhle

Melissa is another contestant returning to Hollywood for the second time in Season 12. “I want to prove that last year was just because I wasn’t ready yet,” the gal from Olympia, Wash., says. “This year, I’m ready to shine.” She apparently breezed through the audition with four yes votes for Hollywood, but she says she’s also looking forward to getting more feedback from the judges. “Each one of them has an ear for music. They’re a great team. I can’t wait until they give me more advice.” Her favorite past Idol contestants are Adam Lambert and Carrie Underwood. They’re tied, she says, because both put their all into every performance.

“What is and What Never Should Be” (with the Revolving Doors)

Milena Laguerre

From Midwest City, Okla., Milena points to her mother and her sister as her inspiration. She says her mother sings and does “a lot of theatrical stuff.” What makes Milena unique? “I’m very different. I’ve very vibrant. I’m kind of out there, crazy. Plus I’m Latin, so I got my spice.” Her favorite past Idol contestants are Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Milena admits she broke down in tears upon getting her golden ticket, but said her family members seemed even more excited. “I feel like I can handle everything that comes with this career,” she says.

No video located

Monet Makohoniuk

She’s part of a brother-sister team that earned golden tickets in Oklahoma City and admits she auditioned only because her brother did. “I figured, if you’re driving down to Oklahoma City for nine and a half hours, I might as well go with. And if I’m going all the way down there, I might as well give it a shot.” The risk paid off. As to what makes Monet different? “People say I dance to the beat of my own drum.” She points to what she wore to the audition. The shirt belonged to her dad. Her skirt cost “like a quarter. Some people would say, I can’t wear that. It came from a garage sale. I’ll do what I want. I think that makes me unique,” says the personable young lady from Waukee, Iowa. Her favorite past Idol contestant: Carrie Underwood.

“Piano Man”

Shae Morefield

I’m a little surprised we didn’t meet Shae during the Oklahoma City auditions because she has an interesting back-story. She’s struggled with bipolar disorder and is the 2012 United States Miss All World Beauty with the duty of helping raise awareness of mental illness and suicide prevention. She describes music as “my escape from everything that goes on in day-to-day life and everything that goes on in my brain with battling bipolar disorder.” As a result, she thinks she could use music to bring a positive message to others, especially young girls. “If that’s what comes out of this, I’ll know I did my job,” says the young woman from Edmond, Okla. Her favorite former Idol contestant is Carrie Underwood.

Singing the national anthem

Shayla Rose

Shayla says her family and her fiance encouraged her to audition for Season 12, and it worked out nicely for the young lady from Tishomingo, Okla. In fact, she says her family was super excited throughout the audition process. Her favorite past contestants are Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. From the way she talks about Carrie and the twang in her voice, one suspects Shayla sings country music, though she never comes out and says as much. Why could she be the next Idol? “Because of my personality. I just try to establish relationships. I try to be myself. I think that can carry you a long way … And I can sing a little bit.”

No video located

Taylor McKenzie Byrne

Bet there won’t be many science teachers in Hollywood. Well, at least not bearing a golden ticket and trying to make it to Vegas on Season 12 of American Idol. But that’s the back-story for Taylor, who, of course, also loves music. She’s particularly inspired by the music of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Beyonce — “the superstars who can impact such a large number of people in a positive way. I want to have that effect, too.” After all, she adds: “I am a teacher, so I love being able to inspire. I’m hoping to do that as the next American Idol.” Taylor is from Oklahoma City and her favorite former Idol contestant is Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood.

“Halo”
Head here to hear more from Taylor