GILROY
– Nicci Claspell came closer to becoming the next
”
American Idol
”
than thousands of other contestants, but she’s not nearly as
broken up about losing as others might be.
GILROY – Nicci Claspell came closer to becoming the next “American Idol” than thousands of other contestants, but she’s not nearly as broken up about losing as others might be.
“I really wasn’t super bummed,” the Gilroy High School senior said. “There was a lot of people that it seemed like it wrecked their world.”
Claspell, 18, entered the third “American Idol” competition (on FOX) in August and was one of the 117 vocalists from across the nation who made it to the semifinals in Hollywood.
While she said she wanted to be a part of the competition since the first time she saw the show, she admits it doesn’t really fit her true passion.
“I never was really into pop singing,” said Claspell, whose real interest is in musical theater. “I had a lot of fun. It was a good experience.”
While Claspell’s performances didn’t make it onto the show – “They’re either going to let you on because you have a spark or because you don’t” – Claspell said being a process was a thrilling experience.
“I wanted to try out the second season,” said Claspell, who is involved in choir, chamber choir and marching band at GHS and also in local theater groups. “The first time I saw it, I wanted to be a part.”
Unfortunately, her hectic schedule during her junior year kept her from trying out. But when she found out about a tryout in Los Angeles in August, she had to do it.
“My parents had just left to go to Reno,” she said.
Claspell’s parents understood the how important it was for her, and her mother returned to accompany her to Los Angeles.
“We camped out there for two days with blankets and pillows,” Claspell said.
An estimated 10,000 people showed up for the tryouts at the Rose Bowl, and Claspell spent most of the weekend waiting for one opportunity to sing in front of one of the 12 sets of preliminary judges set up on the field of the stadium.
Claspell sang Bette Midler’s “Story of Love” and was called back for the second round of 900 competitors to sing for Director Nigel Lythgoe.
Claspell waited 10 more hours to sing “Hurts So Bad,” by Susan Tidesky, but had to switch to “Always Love You” by Whitney Houston because the judges weren’t familiar with the song.
Claspell again made it to the next round, and on Sept. 8 she sang for judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. Paula Abdul was sick and didn’t attend the taping.
Claspell said she wasn’t nervous and actually talked to the two about living in the garlic capital of the world before she sang “And So It Goes,” by Billy Joel.
Claspell said the judges seemed the same in person as they do on television.
“Simon didn’t seem as mean, but when I sang he looked kind of bored,” she said.
But Simon’s response after stopping her was positive.
“He said I have a sweet voice and no problem with power. He said to show more emotion, and that’s what killed me later.”
But then he said. the magic words.
“Welcome to Hollywood.”
Claspell returned to Hollywood at the end of October. And that’s when she learned what being on TV is really like.
“I didn’t know everything was so staged,” she said. “I wasn’t going to be mean just because the camera wanted it.”
Claspell was eliminated on the second day in Hollywood, but her dreams to be in musical theater were only enhanced by the experience.
Claspell already has plans to return to Los Angeles, though this time as a student. She hopes to attend the American Music and Dramatic Academy in the fall. And she hopes to one day take part in the plays “Rent” and “Les Miserables.”
“I want to do Broadway,” she said.
