Redeye chatted with many “American Idol” wannabes before and after their auditions. Here’s what some of the winners, losers and hopefuls had to say:
Jessie White
Age: 20
From: Brighton Park Audition song: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
Reason for auditioning: “I was just here to support my sister.” (She didn’t make the cut.)
Reaction to being chosen: “I’m just very hungry right now.”
Allison Hassellof
Age: 22 From: Hammond, Ind.
Audition song: “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner
On her audition: “I messed up my lyrics, but they said I had the most energy they’d seen all day.”
Brandon Kee Youngblood
Age: 18 Hometown: Monroe, Wis.
Audition song: “Hey There Delilah” by The Plain White T’s
Reaction to being chosen: “It is too exciting that I am not even excited.”
Muriel Dee
Age: 20 From: Wheaton
Audition song: “Misery” by Pink
On the audition process: “It’s a long, irritating process, and I hate it. … This is my first time [auditioning], and I think this is my last time.”
Tiffany Conley
Age: 26 From: Elkhart, Ind. Audition ploy: She wore a hot dog costume.
Audition song: “Maybe ‘Take me Out to the Ball Game’?”
Best thing about auditions: “I would be at work right now [as an administrator at a ritzy golf club], and I absolutely hate my job.”
Phil and Mike Viviano (twins)
Age: 23 From: Niles, Ohio
Audition song (together): “Renegade” by Styx
On being rejected: “I’m kind of surprised we didn’t make it past the first round,” Phil said. “It’s not like we suck! Gosh.”
Plan B: “Maybe we’ll go to another city and try again,” Mike said.
Robbin Montgomery
Age: 17 From: Palos Hills
Audition song: “Fallin’ ” by Alicia Keys
On the audition experience: “It looks like they were looking for characters, not talent.”
On trying again: “I would definitely not, because it’s bogus. I saw who didn’t make it and they can sing. Everyone who made a fool of themselves made it through.”
Aliyah Love
Age: 28 From: Milwaukee
Audition song: “Emotional Rollercoaster” by Vivian Green
Previous experience: “The only singing I’ve done before is to my children.”
What’s unique about her: “Letting other Muslims know they shouldn’t be scared to try something like this. Also [letting] people know Muslims are normal people. … We like to have fun, but we’re just spiritual.”
