JACKSON –A teenager from Jackson has scored a ticket to Hollywood on the Fox TV show “American Idol.”
During her “American Idol” audition, Gianna Isabella, 15, belted out a soulful rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” for judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.
Gianna’s performance on the show which aired on Jan. 13 was good enough for her to advance to the next stage of the competition, which takes place in Hollywood, Calif.
Gianna is the daughter of singer Brenda K. Starr. She made note of that during her appearance.
“I’m very inspired by my mom. I would have to say she’s my idol,” Gianna said during her introduction on the show. “I just want to show her that all of her hard work of teaching me is paying off. I want to show her how proud I am to be her daughter.”
Starr said, “My daughter is the best thing that ever happened to me. She is everything a mother could ever ask for.”
The singer said Gianna has a love for music and a drive to succeed in the music industry, just as she did nearly 30 years ago.
“Her friends go out and party and she stays home and writes and sings all day,” Starr said. “She’s just an amazing daughter. She’s my best friend.”
The Hollywood round of “American Idol” will begin on Jan. 27. Episodes air on Fox every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.
