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BY PHILIP POTEMPA
ppotempa@nwitimes.com
219.852.4327 | Friday, February 08, 2008 | (57 comment(s))
LOS ANGELES | Amy Davis, 25, of Cedar Lake, is now a part of FOX fame as one of the 164 Hollywood finalists introduced to the world Wednesday during the broadcast of "American Idol: Season 7."
Davis, a 2000 graduate of Lowell High School and one of the six children of Barry and Jeanette Davis of Cedar Lake, captured the attention of hard-to-please judging panel Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, with her audition performance of "Blue Bayou." The ballad was written by the late Roy Orbison and made famous by singer Linda Ronstadt.
Wednesday's televised auditions and finalist selections, which were whittled down from what host Ryan Seacrest described as "the results of seven cities who hosted auditions and more than 100,000 hopefuls," were actually taped and narrowed down months ago over the summer while the show traveled from city to city.
FOX Network and "American Idol" publicist Jill Hudson said Thursday that by Tuesday's broadcast, the number of finalists would be further narrowed down to 50 and by the start of Wednesday's broadcast, there would be only 24 contestants left competing to make it to the final 12.
Hudson said Davis and her immediate family were forbidden by contract to do any media interviews or discuss the show during the course of the competition.
Bethany Gray, 26, of Lowell, who graduated from the 1,100-student Lowell High School with Davis in 2000, said she remembered her from when they were both in Lowell High's choir together.
"She always had a great voice and was a natural singer," Gray said.
"It's so cool to have someone so local, who's also real and down-to-earth, on such a popular TV show. I'm not at all surprised she's doing so well."
Another person who's not surprised by Davis' abilities is Tom Lounges, The Times' music critic since 1983 has been writing about Davis for the last decade, including her time as a second-round qualifier last year for another reality show, NBC's "Nashville Star."
"I just saw Amy last week at the club, The Northwoods in St. John," Lounges said.
"I know she's not allowed to discuss the show and she never mentioned anything. But she's always been someone who's wanted to perform her entire life. And she's done well with both her singing and her modeling career, including, in the past, also being selected as a finalist in a Maxim cover model contest."
But along with the international positive recognition, Davis must also wade through the other side of fame: criticism and speculation, especially from the watercooler buzz of the Internet community.
They range from unkind comments about her talent to banter about her choice of a low-cut shirt for her taped audition and references on the FOX "American Idol" blogs about her Hoosier "roots from a lower class upbringing" and scantily clad modeling portfolio photos featured on her MySpace homepage.
"The only thing that matters is she's someone who is confident enough to step out from the shadows and take her place front and center," Lounges said.
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Jackie wrote on Feb 16, 2008 7:16 AM:
" Great, once she gets kicked off, we are going to see this chick at carnivals and bars for the next three years. Can't wait. Notice home many people on the board are related to her. Is everyone in lowell either siblings or cousins. ")
Not that it is any of your business but Amys grandfather had several brothers and sisters and they each had 4-6 children each and now their kids are having kids so yes Amy comes from an AWESOME large family.And I am one of those cousins that lives in Schererville,and with as much family and friends Amy has she is going all the way!Amy plays at bars and restaurants now so I am no idea what your getting at unless you just want everyone to know how ignorant you are. "
Wow wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:03 PM:
re: let be honest wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:25 PM:
kl wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:56 PM:
guitar chick wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:15 PM:
Socrates wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:13 PM:
Joyce Wilson from Merrillville wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:36 AM:
Momma C wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:22 AM:
fan wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:53 PM:
let be honest is an idiot wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:16 PM:
Marco wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:44 PM:
to the haters wrote on Feb 14, 2008 5:04 PM:
let be honest wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:56 AM:
Mrs M wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:20 AM:
As for the bad comments, Well, I’m thinking they are just jealous
You go girl!!!!!!!!
"
Cindy wrote on Feb 14, 2008 8:16 AM:
Shirley wrote on Feb 13, 2008 10:55 PM:
To: Come on! wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:21 PM:
Hmmmm... wrote on Feb 13, 2008 6:53 PM:
Good luck Amy! "
Come on!! wrote on Feb 13, 2008 2:04 PM:
Obviously she hasn't been picked up for a reason - how much rejection is she going to take NATION WIDE before she resigns herself to performing at bars???? "
Former LHS Student wrote on Feb 13, 2008 12:26 PM:
To: Ummm wrote on Feb 11, 2008 6:14 PM:
Pageant Buddy wrote on Feb 11, 2008 3:27 PM:
Kari "
UMMMMMMMM wrote on Feb 11, 2008 1:33 PM:
REPRESENT INDIANA wrote on Feb 11, 2008 12:50 PM:
beth wrote on Feb 11, 2008 10:24 AM:
Geneve wrote on Feb 11, 2008 9:25 AM:
madelyn wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:02 PM:
WOW!! wrote on Feb 8, 2008 6:15 PM:
Cindy wrote on Feb 8, 2008 6:14 PM:
Our family will all be voting for
you! "
Your Cuzzins wrote on Feb 8, 2008 5:18 PM:
Leona wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:45 PM:
I wish you the best of luck you will cetainly have my and my entire family's vote. "
Bobby G wrote on Feb 8, 2008 4:35 PM:
Mary wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:23 PM:
Hometown Girl wrote on Feb 8, 2008 2:42 PM:
CS-Jackies Best Friend wrote on Feb 8, 2008 2:36 PM:
You go girl !!!!!!!!! "
CS. Cousin Jackie's friend wrote on Feb 8, 2008 2:34 PM:
You go girl!!!!!!
"
Lisa wrote on Feb 8, 2008 2:19 PM:
Another Lowell Resident and Lowell High Grad wrote on Feb 8, 2008 1:07 PM:
Heather and Dave and Kids, wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:33 PM:
ajm wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:16 PM:
SoCalPopkas wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:16 PM:
Hometown LOWELL wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:39 AM:
Congratulations wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:22 AM:
Congratulations Amy! You deserve this! Wether you make it all the way or not, this is an amazing accomplishment! We're keeping our fingers crossed for you!
M&M "
Bobby D wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:13 AM:
Amy Jean... WHATS UP??!?!?!
GOOD JOB, WE'RE ALL WATCHING YOU!
GOOD LUCK!
Love,
your brother "
Lowell Resident wrote on Feb 8, 2008 11:07 AM:
It is awesome that you have beat out so many people to make it to the finals. "
kelly wrote on Feb 8, 2008 10:13 AM:
You've always been a sweetheart, you deserve this! "
Good Luck! wrote on Feb 8, 2008 10:11 AM:
lowells my hometown wrote on Feb 8, 2008 10:10 AM:
J.B wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:48 AM:
Congrats! wrote on Feb 8, 2008 9:23 AM:
dr wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:40 AM:
m&mw wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:04 AM:
Mary wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:51 AM:
Chris wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:03 AM:
I hope wrote on Feb 8, 2008 5:06 AM:
The Cosgroves wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:29 AM:
B J wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:59 AM: