Allison Iraheta: The ultimate interview, Part Two

In the second part of this four-part interview, "American Idol" finalist Allison Iraheta discusses her first "Idol" audition in San Francisco and the beginning of her "Idol" journey. Read Part One here.

Even though your family was very supportive of your music, did your parents suggest you have a backup plan for another career?

Yes, my dad always said, “Stay in school because you never know what’s going to happen.” My dad still says, “You’re a good singer, but you better get your butt in friggin’ university. It doesn’t matter.” And yes, definitely, I am going to continue with school.

Did you ever have a “Plan B”?

I’ve always wanted to be a vet. I love animals. Now, I would continue songwriting, if anything.

“American Idol” was not your first TV series. I understand you competed on a Spanish-language show?

It was called “Quinceañera.” It was on Telemundo, Channel 52 here. It was funny, man. “Quinceañera” in Spanish is a heritage where you’re Latin and you have a little party when you’re turning 15. So we saw the commercial on TV and I thought, “That’s just bogus.” I honestly thought it was nothing. My mom said, “You should try out.” I was already thinking about “Idol” at the time, but I was 15 and my sister told me, “You’re going.” So I auditioned. I had to sing and they immediately asked, “Are you able to go to Mexico tomorrow?” I’m like, “Whoa, tomorrow?” “Yeah. We start recording. It’s a TV show for 10 girls who are 15 or 16 years old and you’ve been chosen to go to Mexico to live there for four months.” I’m like, “Ha ha. What?”

So you went? And what about school?

It was during 10th grade. You had to do school there, so I’ve been doing school on the road. I went to Mexico and the winner was going to win $50,000. I did win, so I had to apologize to my sister because I gave her a lot of crap about me not wanting to go. She said, “See, see what I do.” I mean, if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have won.

How much time elapsed between winning “Quinceañera” and trying out for Season 8 of “American Idol”?

About a full year. I was 15, turning 16. So I had to wait during the whole Season 7, watching David Cook, David Archuleta and Carly Smithson. I found out online the auditions were in July [2008] in San Francisco. We drove. It was a full road trip with my sister, my dad, my mom, my brother and I, my cousin and my two aunts. It was huge, at the Cow Palace. They said no one could camp out. The audition was the next day at 9 a.m. We stayed there the night before and it was 7 p.m. and we were going to sleep in the car.

All of you?!

A lot of us said, “We’re going to sleep in the car.” But then I saw some people walking in. I said, “Hold on. Why does this guy have a sleeping bag and he’s walking in and I’m in the car? Oh, hell no!” I get out of the car and I start running. I saw a line of about 20 people already camping out. I said, “It’s 7 p.m. and I’m going to start waiting in line.” So I stayed. We were one of the first 50 people to go in.

You were in line for 14 hours. Did you sleep in line?

We couldn’t even sleep. It was so cold. We were in line until 9 a.m. the next day. I wasn’t prepared. Those other guys were prepared. They brought their sleeping bags and pillows.

Did your family stay with you?

No, they were in the car, so it was just my mom and I who were outside freezing.

So 9 a.m. rolls around and you go inside the arena. What did you sing in your first round of auditions?

I sang “Heartbreaker” by Pink and “At Last” by Etta James. There were four of us and I remember being in the row behind the group before us watching them sing and I thought, “I’m so scared. I hope I make it at least to the next round. That would be awesome.” When I first went up to sing, they said, “All right, thank you,” and they told me to step back. Next person, next person. They called me up with another guy and he wasn’t so good. I thought, “Oh my God, no! I’m going home.” Because they said, “You and you, step forward,” and I knew that was it. You might remember this guy. They showed him in San Francisco. He sang “No One.” He was wearing the plaid jacket. And they said, “Congratulations. You guys got the golden ticket.” I’m like, “Wow! What?” And I looked at him. He was jumping. I’m like, “Oh, man.” He was just so happy and I was like, “Whoa!”

Then you had to audition for executive producer Ken Warwick.

Mike Darnell from Fox was there too. Ken said I reminded him of Kelly Clarkson, and he asked me if I had a tongue ring. He said, “You have a lisp.” I told him, “It’s braces.” So they passed me on to the judges.

What do you remember about singing for Simon, Randy, Paula and Kara?

We were in the hotel waiting in line and [a contestant named] Akeelah went in a couple people before me and she left pissed off and I hoped I wouldn’t leave like that. I wouldn’t be pissed. I’d be sad. You know, it sucks. They have us in line seeing people before us come out with the Hollywood ticket or not, and it’s just pretty sad. So I went in and I was so scared and the judges knew that. They told me.

Were you scared because you had been watching the judges for so many seasons?

That too, yes. I’d heard so much about Kara as well. This all-time writer is a musician, she sings and she’s going to be the judge. But you know, she’s amazing. I was hoping to make it to Hollywood Week. That was my major goal, at least Hollywood Week. I sang “At Last” and I know I didn’t do so well. I thought, “That’s it. I’m going home.” I remember Randy said, “You’ve got something.” And Paula said, “You’re very distinct. There’s something different about you.” Kara as well. They all saw something in me, potential or something, because I know I did not do so great and I was so scared. After they said, “You’re going through,” I was so happy and, course, Simon said, “Hold on. That was just a 7 out of 10.” I thought, “Gee, thanks for bursting my bubble, Simon.” But I got the golden ticket to Hollywood! I came out and my two aunts, my dad, my brother, my sister, my cousin, my niece and nephew were out there. They were crying. My mom was crying, obviously. I remember Ryan asked her, “Do you need an ambulance or something, ma’am? Are you OK?”

-- Fred Bronson

Photo credit: Frank Micelotta / Fox

Related:

Allison Iraheta: The early years

Kris Allen: The early years

Kris Allen: Showbiz beginnings

Kris Allen: Finding his groove

Kris Allen: The "Idol" chapter

Adam Lambert: The early years

Adam Lambert: Showbiz beginnings

Adam Lambert: Finding his groove

Adam Lambert: The "Idol" chapter

Comments

[Becky]

Wow, thank you so much for this insightful interview with Allison. I love her! And wow to her experience auditioning . Her family seems so supportive and close. I can't believe they slept in the car (with Allison and her mom freezing). I can't wait for part 3!

[Ithiel]

Thanks so much for posting part 2! I love Allison and can't wait to read more.

[Andrea]

Wow amazing interview. Can't believe she stayed in line for so long. She is such a talented girl with a lot of determination.

[Mari]

Wow, what a fantastic interview. It's so great to read more about her AI experience. I love how much support she gets from her family and I hope at some point she does make it to college, it can only make her even more awesome.

Thanks for the interview, I'd love to read more. Can't wait for part 3.

[Nikki]

So funny:
-“Are you able to go to Mexico tomorrow?” I’m like, “Whoa, tomorrow?” “Yeah. We start recording. It’s a TV show for 10 girls who are 15 or 16 years old and you’ve been chosen to go to Mexico to live there for four months.” I’m like, “Ha ha. What?”
-“Hold on. Why does this guy have a sleeping bag and he’s walking in and I’m in the car? Oh, hell no!”
-“You have a lisp.” I told him, “It’s braces.”

Gee, Simon, no personality!? Really!?

Thanks for the interview. It was great reading about her audition experiences. Waiting for more

[Josh]

Gee!!! Allison you're so down to earth! I love that from you. You're awesome! Can't wait for your Album to come out

[allisonfan111]

LOL She did not sing "at last" for Randy, Paula, Kara and Simon she sang "Natural Woman"... the video is on youtube...she was probably nervous and saw it all as a blur..or maybe they didn't broadcast her singing that.

[Reflections On Life]

I loved reading this story, both about Quincera & about standing in line all night for AI auditions. Looks like a close-knit and supportive family. Just watch Allison's farewell performance of CryBaby on AI and see her mom & sis singing their hearts out in the audience!

I am so surprised that no one at all is commenting on any of your Allison interviews, whereas the Kris & Adam interviews are chalk-full of feedback. I guess Allison needs to up the charisma/connection factor...

Still love her though!

[Alan]

Thanks for the great review!
Allison is such a natural talent, who grew and grew during the show.
She is so very open and honest as a person as well.

Good to hear some of the 'inner workings' of the show as well!

[pious_allison07]

she's born to be a star! i'm glad to learn that her parents value education so much that they want her to continue her studies aside from being a singer. Allison's parents are very supportive of her no wonder she grows up with a good character.

[pious_allison07]

allison is so amazing! i love her voice! i love the way she make every song her own! can't wait to buy her album!

[Becky]

I think Allison has plenty of charisma, actually. It took over a week for my comment to get posted.

[irina]

omg, to stand in line like that and actually be able to sing is amazig. i am so glad she had the strength to do it !!!

[Erika Alcaraz]

OMG I remember when I watched Allison on "Quinceanera'' and she won..I wanted her to win. Then when I was watching the Idol auditions they showed hers but it was just a small part and I paused it and I told my family "I know her!" and they all looked at me all weird like "What?" they told me that I was crazy and I was like I saw her before somewhere I just couldn't remember where. So I googled her and I discovered that it was her that I watched on Quinceanera so since the auditions she was my favorite and supported her all the way. Now I can't wait to buy her album :D