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.

Kendra Remedios

Kendra figures she’s as relatable as they come. Sure she can dress up, go shopping and be all girlie with her friends. But she doesn’t think she’s a typical 18-year-old girl. “I love to go hunting and fishing and ride four-wheelers and hang out at my deer lease and my ranch with my brother and my guy cousins. Just hang out. Have a blast. Kind of act like a tomboy … So I think I can relate to both sides.” She’s also ready to hear Ryan Seacrest read a card that says: Kendra Remedios, American Idol, because the young woman from Arlington says she’s tired of going to school and working toward a career she’s “not even fond of.” What she wants is a career as a singer. Her favorite past Idols are Carrie Underwood and the “super cute” Scotty McCreery.

“Settlin”
For another video of Kendra performing, head here.

Laura Lee Bishop

This young lady from Gilmer, Texas, had a simple reason for auditioning in San Antonio. She earned a golden ticket last year and went to Hollywood but didn’t do very well. So she’s looking to redeem herself. Laura Lee says her inspiration comes from within, but she also credits her sister and mother for the support they provide. “At this point, they probably wouldn’t let me stop singing,” she says. She admires Kelly Clarkson most among former Idols because she’s put together such a steady career. As to why she should be Idol … “It’s hard for me to answer. I hear everyone’s story. I hear everyone sing … I can’t say I deserve it more than anyone else because all of us are working so hard .. But I definitely feel that I have something special and care about other people.”

For four videos of Laura Lee singing, here to her Facebook page.

Mallory Jones

It certainly sounds like Mallory was destined to be a singer. Her mother is a music teacher. Her dad is a former music teacher. In fact, Mallory says, that’s how they met. “I grew up in a musical family,” the young woman from Dallas, Texas, says. “When you’re around music, you kind of have to love it. You grow to love it. I’ve always loved it.” She also thinks that background has given her a unique style as a singer, one that doesn’t necessarily fit into a single genre. She was exposed to all sorts of music, so Mallory says she’s pulled different genres into her singing style. And while she has several favorite contestants from years past, the one she looks up to the most is Carrie Underwood. “She was a small-town girl. Look at her now. That’s inspiring.”

No video located.

Rubina Israyelyan

When she’s not singing, this young woman from Sacramento, Calif., likes to work on her other hobby, photography. She says she likes to mix the pretty and ugly together in her photos and gives the example of taking models into an abandoned building for a photo shoot. It sounds like she applies the same principle to her music. Asked why she might be the next American Idol, she says she likes to be a little dark and a little mysterious with her song, “but still with lots of good energy. Just cool and edgy.” Rubina says her mom helped nudge her into auditioning for Idol. Which isn’t surprising, after listening to Rubina. “She’s been there with me my whole life, pushing me through the walls to be myself.” Her favorite past Idol performance is Adam Lambert.

No video located.

Seeley Stephens

She’s been watching the show since it started and has always wanted to be on American Idol, so it wasn’t a tough choice for this young lady to try out when the Idol auditions landed in San Antonio, near her home. Seeley says she got good feedback from all the judges but was particularly pleased to her positive comments from one of her idols, Mariah Carey. She’s a fan of powerhouse female singers, so you won’t be surprised to learn that her favorite past Idol is Kelly Clarkson. Seeley said her sister inspired her to sing. “It was more of a hobby for her,” she says, “but I fell in love with it.” She also thinks her interest in different genres of music and music from different eras helps her create “a very diverse kind of sound.”

“Downtown”
For more of Seeley, head here

Yleana Wooten

Chalk up another singer inspired by Kelly Clarkson. After all, watching Season 1 of Idol, especially Kelly winning, is what got Yleana hooked on singing. She remembers belting out “A Moment Like This” in her garage, and she’s been singing ever since. “It’s what I love to do,” the young woman from San Antonio, Texas, says. “When I’m on stage, when I’m behind a microphone … that’s home.” Her musical inspirations include Etta James, Nora Jones and Mariah Carey, but she also thinks something totally unrelated to singing might give her a bit of an edge — her training in mixed martial arts. “The principles it teaches you help you throughout your entire life,” Yleana says. “I think the strength and endurance it’s given me will benefit me.”

“Valerie”
For more from Yleana, head here.