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 female singers we didn’t meet during the Charlotte audition episode. The rest will be featured in a second blog.
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.
Alexa Michelle Gilomen
Alexa should be in a commercial for American Idol. After all, the gal from Suwanee, Ga., has been watching the show since age 5. And how did she get interested in singing? By watching Kelly Clarkson become the first ever Idol, of course. “That’s really what sparked my desire to perform and sing, and it’s been going ever since,” she says. Alexa thinks her versatility will help her on the show. She says she’s classically trained and can sing opera if called upon to do so. And if Kelly inspired her to sing, she lists Carrie Underwood as another favorite former Idol, saying she looks up to what the Season 4 winner has accomplished since appearing on the show.
“Last Kiss”
For more of Alexa singing, head here.
Amanda Lawrence
With tattoos running down both arms, this young woman from Wilmington, N.C., describes herself as wacky and edgy and says what you see isn’t necessarily what you get when she starts singing. “I look like this person that would spit out some punk rock music, but I kind of have a soulful and bluesy feel to my voice,” Amanda says. “I kinda throw people for a loop.” She also describes herself as a “really social person” who loves to see people happy and having fun. That might help explain her choice of a favorite Idol — Taylor Hicks. She says he always seemed to have fun when he performed. Amanda says she doesn’t take herself too seriously. “I think people need to expand on that and kinda take some notes.”
“Autumn”
Ariel Sprague
Another contestant who’s back after being among the final Vegas cuts in Season 11. In fact, this teen from Fayetteville, N.C., was competing with Shelby Tweten and Hollie Cavanagh for the final spot in the girls semifinals. The spot went to Hollie, who wound up finishing fourth. Among Ariel’s goals in Season 12 — to connect with the audience every time she sings and display her creativity. “I want to take a song, switch it around, and do something totally different,” she says. “Still staying true to the song, but doing something different with it.” Ariel also says she thinks she has the drive to succeed on Idol, as well the ability not to take things too seriously. Her favorite former Idol contest is Jennifer Hudson.
“It Will Rain”
For more of Ariel singing, head here.
Ashton Carrier
Some Season 12 contestants say they’ve been watching Idol for years and that some of the first winners served as their inspiration. Ashton’s inspiration is much more current. The gal from Manhatten, Mont., says she got to watch last year’s finale and watch Phillip Phillips perform “Home.” “I thought, ‘I want to be on stage doing that.'” She says she’s also been inspired by her choir teacher, because he was the first to tell her she was a good singer and might want to pursue it. Ashton says she likes a wide range of music and has a pretty powerful voice. “That’s not what people expect of me because I’m a small, 17-year-old girl,” she says.
“I’m Yours”
For more of Ashton singing, head here.
Aunyai Elise Hedrick
This young woman says she’s been singing since she was a little girl. After all, they have a Hedrick Family Choir in Greensboro, N.C., “so it really just runs in my family.” That said, while her voice has a soulful sound, Aunyai says she also “can do rock, change it up and do any type of genre.” Her goal: To show anyone with low self-esteem that they can pursue their dream. Aunyai says she’s been inspired to pursue hers by her mother, who needs a liver transplant. Her favorite past Idol contestant is Fantasia, partly because of the passion she pours into her performances.
No video located
Brianna Faulk
She says her late brother is her inspiration. He got ill at age 4 and died at age 8, and she used to make up songs about him after his passing. Her mom heard her and realized she has musical talent. Brianna, from Monroe, Ga. is another Hollywood-bound Idol who touts her versatility, saying she can sing country, pop, rock, “mainly anything you want me to.” But she thinks she’s the same style of singer as Jennifer Hudson, her favorite former Idol contestant. She calls herself “fearless” on stage. “When I’m on stage. I feel like I can be myself,” Brianna says. “I can do anything you ask of me. When I come off stage, I’m this shy person, you never believe would actually do that.”
“Stand Up For Love”
For lots more of Brianna singing, head here.
Cara Crosswhite
This gal from Statesville, N.C., got a Disney dream ticket to audition for American Idol and said winning her golden ticket to Hollywood felt “surreal,” the culmination of something she’s been working for “a really long time.” She said her family and their support of her singing aspirations is what inspires her. “I’d love to do it as a profession,” she says of music. Cara is also captain of her high school volleyball team. And she doesn’t sound like a contestant who will give up if it doesn’t work out for her on Idol Season 12. Her favorite past contestant is Carrie Underwood; Cara says she has all her CDs.
“One and Only”
For another video of Cara singing, head here.
CiCi Jansen
Getting a golden ticket to Hollywood was a longtime goal for this young woman from Cornelius, N.C. She said she’s been watching American Idol since the show started airing. “Ever since the show came on, I’ve been like, ‘I’m going to be on that show when I’m older.’ I think I can do it.” CiCi says she’s inspired by her mother, who has supported her no matter what. And she has two favorite Idol contestants, Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood. She says she got to meet Kellie when they were on the same TV show — she doesn’t name the program. “She was really nice and gave me some great advice.” As for Carrie, she admires her powerhouse voice.
“When You’re With Me”
For lots more of CiCi singing, head here.
Emily Hoffman
It doesn’t sound like stage fright will be a problem for this young woman from Fort Mill, S.C. “I’ve always been a performer,” she says. “I was never the shy child. I was always pushing my way to the front and grabbing the microphone.” She thinks her personality and her experience will work to her advantage. Emily says she’s always been around music and started singing in church at a very young age. She also likes to put her unique twist on songs. Her favorite past Idol contestant is Crystal Bowersox, partly because of the way she overcame her medical challenges. Like Crystal, Emily says she has diabetes.
No video located.
Leave a reply