Idol Chatter & Voice Views

That was a touching end to the American Idol audition episodes, right?

I mean, introducing us to Hope Johnson, the 19-year-old waitress and bartender from Pollard, Ark.

She lived in poverty as a youngster and told Idol she didn’t realize, growing up, that it wasn’t normal not to have dinner every night.

Well, she made it to Hollywood with a fine rendition of Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance,” and it’s going to be difficult not to root for her when the Hollywood episodes begin next week.

Here’s a little more info about Hope, based on her Idol video.

She’s says she’s pretty much a “what you see is what you get” sort of girl and thinks her presence will set her apart from the competition. Along, of course, with her voice, which sounds as country as you can get.

She says her special talents are writing and drawing, and her most memorable performance came during her senior year of high school when some friends wanted to do a talent show.

Hope sang “Simple Man” and finished third.

Her favorite Idol moment: Watching Fantasia win the Idol crown in season three.

“When she sings,” Hope told Idol, “it gives me chill bumps thinking about it.”

Best of luck in Hollywood, Hope.