Admire tries 'American Idol'
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2008
"American Idol" fans soon may learn what many Siouxlanders already know: 17-year-old Katie Admire is very, very talented.
"She can do anything she sets her mind to," says Diana Wooley, director of education at the Lamb School. "She should be able to go in a number of directions."
Admire, though, is currently in the hunt for that elusive "Idol" title. The Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School homecoming queen auditioned last summer in Omaha and, according to sources, won one of the "golden tickets" to a second round. Beyond that? No one's talking.
The popular talent show, in fact, is so secretive officials won't even say what night an Admire audition may appear. Tonight, though, the Fox series is slated to spotlight its Omaha visit.
Simon Cowell, one of the "Idol" judges, told reporters earlier this month that Omaha produced some viable contenders: "It was like doing the first season again. ... There was a naivete" present in the contestants.
Nigel Lythgoe, one of the show's producers, was even more encouraging: "I can tell you now there are three 16/17-year-olds who are absolutely brilliant this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they progress."
Could Admire be one of them?
Donny Short, one of her teachers and a co-star in several Lamb Productions shows, is hopeful. "When I watched the first few shows with a friend, I turned to him and said, 'If Katie can't make it, I'm going to have to stop watching the show.' She's just so dedicated."
The oldest of Rick and Becky Admire's children (she has a sister, Molly, who's 14, and a brother, Ryan, who's 11), Admire has been a staple in many theater productions (most recently playing Sharpay in Lamb's production of "High School Musical") and area singing competitions. She won this year's "Siouxland Idol" competition and was runner-up in the 2006 Colgate Country Showdown.
"No one is more prepared than Katie," Wooley says. Before "Idol," "she did a lot of research on the competition and looked at what worked for other people."
But "Idol"? "It's such a huge opportunity, I'd like to show everyone what the Midwest is about," Admire told the Journal in August. "I may be little, but I have a big heart." Nicknamed Shiny-Tiny Katie because she's short and likes to wear sequins when she performs, Admire has one of those voices that audiences notice. When she started at the Lamb School as an elementary student, "she had this huge, belting voice," Wooley says.
In recent years, Wooley has worked to "even things out" and help her find her "middle" voice. As a result, Admire is able to perform just about any kind of music. "You should hear her sing Mozart," Wooley says.
Short compares Admire to Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth -- "she has the same bubbly personality and the same range. She could go in the same direction."
Versatility, Lythgoe says, is what the show seeks. "If they're as boring as hell, sitting in a corner and mumbling, I'm not going to put them on television."
So, how did Admire fare in November? The gag order prevents her, her family and friends from talking. Dad -- who's a teacher at Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School -- and Mom -- a physical therapist at Sergeant Bluff Family Medical Center -- can't even give details about their daughter's post-high school life. College is in the cards, friends say. But where? Until she is eliminated from the competition -- or wins -- Admire has to be as enigmatic as Prince.
Tonight's audition episode could crack the door ever so slightly.
"There are three or four very strong guys and three or four very strong girls this year," Cowell told reporters. "It's probably going to be one of the most open competitions we've ever had." And at the Omaha auditions? "We got some talented people.
"In my mind, I have an idea who could make the finals. But I'm not going to give anything away at the moment."
Want to watch?
"American Idol" airs at 7 p.m. today on Fox.
"She can do anything she sets her mind to," says Diana Wooley, director of education at the Lamb School. "She should be able to go in a number of directions."
Admire, though, is currently in the hunt for that elusive "Idol" title. The Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School homecoming queen auditioned last summer in Omaha and, according to sources, won one of the "golden tickets" to a second round. Beyond that? No one's talking.
The popular talent show, in fact, is so secretive officials won't even say what night an Admire audition may appear. Tonight, though, the Fox series is slated to spotlight its Omaha visit.
Simon Cowell, one of the "Idol" judges, told reporters earlier this month that Omaha produced some viable contenders: "It was like doing the first season again. ... There was a naivete" present in the contestants.
Nigel Lythgoe, one of the show's producers, was even more encouraging: "I can tell you now there are three 16/17-year-olds who are absolutely brilliant this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they progress."
Could Admire be one of them?
Donny Short, one of her teachers and a co-star in several Lamb Productions shows, is hopeful. "When I watched the first few shows with a friend, I turned to him and said, 'If Katie can't make it, I'm going to have to stop watching the show.' She's just so dedicated."
The oldest of Rick and Becky Admire's children (she has a sister, Molly, who's 14, and a brother, Ryan, who's 11), Admire has been a staple in many theater productions (most recently playing Sharpay in Lamb's production of "High School Musical") and area singing competitions. She won this year's "Siouxland Idol" competition and was runner-up in the 2006 Colgate Country Showdown.
"No one is more prepared than Katie," Wooley says. Before "Idol," "she did a lot of research on the competition and looked at what worked for other people."
But "Idol"? "It's such a huge opportunity, I'd like to show everyone what the Midwest is about," Admire told the Journal in August. "I may be little, but I have a big heart." Nicknamed Shiny-Tiny Katie because she's short and likes to wear sequins when she performs, Admire has one of those voices that audiences notice. When she started at the Lamb School as an elementary student, "she had this huge, belting voice," Wooley says.
In recent years, Wooley has worked to "even things out" and help her find her "middle" voice. As a result, Admire is able to perform just about any kind of music. "You should hear her sing Mozart," Wooley says.
Short compares Admire to Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth -- "she has the same bubbly personality and the same range. She could go in the same direction."
Versatility, Lythgoe says, is what the show seeks. "If they're as boring as hell, sitting in a corner and mumbling, I'm not going to put them on television."
So, how did Admire fare in November? The gag order prevents her, her family and friends from talking. Dad -- who's a teacher at Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School -- and Mom -- a physical therapist at Sergeant Bluff Family Medical Center -- can't even give details about their daughter's post-high school life. College is in the cards, friends say. But where? Until she is eliminated from the competition -- or wins -- Admire has to be as enigmatic as Prince.
Tonight's audition episode could crack the door ever so slightly.
"There are three or four very strong guys and three or four very strong girls this year," Cowell told reporters. "It's probably going to be one of the most open competitions we've ever had." And at the Omaha auditions? "We got some talented people.
"In my mind, I have an idea who could make the finals. But I'm not going to give anything away at the moment."
Want to watch?
"American Idol" airs at 7 p.m. today on Fox.
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bobby wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:47 AM:
cheryl wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:00 PM:
disregard any negative comments posted, there are alot of ignorant people in the midwest. "
Cecil wrote on Feb 5, 2008 2:14 AM:
Everyone calm down... wrote on Feb 4, 2008 7:58 AM:
Old mom wrote on Feb 1, 2008 9:43 AM: