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 San Antonio 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.

Britnee Kellogg

This name might ring a bell. Britnee, of Vancouver, Wash., was featured in Idol’s Portland audition episode in Season 11 and made it all the way to group round in Vegas before being cut. Though getting cut after advancing so far was difficult, she also calls it “the best experience of my life” and is thrilled to get a second chance with a new set of judges. As we learned last year, Britnee is the mom of two young boys — ages 3 and 4 at the time of the auditions — and “they love when I sing to them,” Britnee says. She calls herself goofy, funny and down to earth and thinks she’s someone viewers can relate to. Her favorite past contestant: Joshua Ledet, who she met on the show last year and still stays in touch with.

“Stay”
for more from Britnee, including some originals, head here.

Evann Collins

This young lady must have had a tough time deciding who to root for in last year’s American Idol finale. She says her two favorite past Idol contestants are Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips and Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez. “It just goes to show how great this show is that two very talented, very different people can make it so far,” says Evann, who hails from Houston, Texas. While she believes she has what it takes to do well on Idol, she admits family and friends pushed her to audition. As for her inspiration to perform — that comes from her mother. “She used to sing at amusement parks when she was in high school,” Evann says. “I’ve always loved to do this, she’s just brought it out in me.”

“Like A Star”

Grace Roberson

Ask Grace about her musical inspiration, and the answer is easy: her grandfather. He was a radio talk show host. A sports commentator. He sang. He was involved in theater productions. He was the only member of her family to be involved in such endeavors. “He’s always been an idol to me,” says Grace, of Corpus Cristi, Texas. Watching him, she says she knew she, too, wanted to be an entertainer. Her favorite past Idol is Kelly Clarkson, partly for the “feisty girl power spirit” she showed en route to the first-ever Idol crown. As for herself … Grace says she’s not the type of person who is going to change for someone else. Musically? “I’m not the same kind of cookie-cutter pop that is on the radio nowadays. I have a different kind of voice. It’s not just a sound. It’s a feeling that you get.”

No video located.

Iris Zambrano

Turns out we didn’t meet the only mariachi singer during American Idol’s San Antonio auditions. This young lady from Hebbronville, Texas, grew up singing mariachi, too, and she thinks it’s what helps set her apart. “That’s how I learned to control my voice,” Iris says. “I grew up doing (mariachi). I still like doing it til this day.” Her current musical inspiration is Grace Potter; Iris calls her a “rock star.” Growing up, she also admired Linda Ronstadt. As for her favorite past Idol contestant, that would be Kelly Clarkson because she sings songs that are so relatable. Iris mentions “Because of You” as an example of that.

No video located.

Jett Hermano

This very personable young lady from Seattle, Wash., didn’t always love singing. Listen to how she got started. “My mom forced me — forced me — to start doing voice lessons. And I would cry. But now I love her for it.” And Jett — short for Bridget — it hoping her Idol journey has a happy ending because she says she’s given up a lot to pursue music, including a full-ride scholarship. Her favorite past Idol is Jordin Sparks, for the brightness and positive attitude she brought to the show. You get the feeling Jett could do the same, given the chance. “People look at me and think I’m super small and this quiet little girl, but I have a lot of heart,” she promises.

“Let Me Love You”
For lots more from Jett, head here.

Kaitlan Solis

In Kaitlan’s mind, Idol is her destiny. “Does that sound cliche?” she asks, crinkling her brow. “I sound like a fortune cookie. But that’s how I feel.” After all, she’s 15 and figures she can relate to the people buying music today. “Kind of like the Taylor Swift thing,” the gal from San Antonio explains, “but less Taylor Swift.” She seems full of spunk, auditioned partly because it sounded better than being in school and credits her grandmother with starting her down a musical path. “She was the first person who ever discovered I could sing. My first performance was when I was 3 years old in church with her.” Kaitlan points skyward. “She’s watching out for me. My first performance was her last performance. It’s not a sad subject anymore. She’s in a better place.” Her favorite past Idol: Adam Lambert, who she says was always 10 times better than you expected him to be.

Head to her Facebook page for lots of video of Kaitlan singing.