'Idol' hopefuls take center stage

Call it the big audition...before the audition. Around 250 contestants sang their hearts out for a select panel of local judges at Monday's Denver Idol contest at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

One winner will be guaranteed an audition before the American Idol producers when the show visits Denver next week.

Some contestants camped out overnight at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts complex to be among the first to audition. Once inside, they were allowed to perform for up to a minute, a cappella.

Some contestants sang classics by Etta James, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Tina Turner. Others chose patriotic standards like God Bless America, Proud to be an American, and the Star-Spangled Banner.

Perhaps the most obscure performance of the day, however, belonged to a woman named Solisa who sang the Hebrew prayer, Sh'ma.

The three finalists were named late Monday afternoon. Jaleesa McIntosh of Denver, Mykal Hudson of Denver and Hunter Hall of Greeley will perform on Everyday with Libby and Natalie Tuesday afternoon. The winner will be chosen by a combination of online and phone voting.

Phone lines will be open from 4 pm. until 8 p.m. To vote for your favorite, dial the corresponding number below:

Hunter Hall: 303-542-3105

Mykal Hudson: 303-542-3110

Jaleesa McIntosh: 303-542-3115

American Idol auditions will be held July 12, 13 & 14 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Those who advance to the next round will get to perform before the American Idol judges (including Simon Cowell).



CLICK HERE FOR DENVER AMERICAN IDOL AUDITION INFO