Lauren Mink performs during the annual Scarecrow Festival in the fall of 2011 to benefit STRIDE. Mink auditioned on Fox network's "American Idol" Wednesday evening and was given the green light by all three judges to move on to Hollywood. (File photo by James Mann | jmann@winchestersun.com) |
Local singer Lauren Mink will be taking her talents to Hollywood.
Mink wowed judges and viewers of “American Idol” Wednesday with her own a cappella rendition of “Country Strong,” the title song of the 2010 movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw.
“That was beautiful,” said judge Steven Tyler. “You got so much passion, so much passion behind the notes. And the notes were so on that it was just perfect, it was beautiful. Nice little audition there girl.”
Judge Jennifer Lopez, pointing to her arms during Mink’s performance, proclaimed that the 25-year-old’s singing gave her “goosies.”
Before her performance in Savannah, Ga., the show featured a video of Mink at STRIDE in Winchester, having fun with some of the clients. Mink is the director of the program, which provides local adults with disabilities a place to turn to for a social setting and camaraderie, along with educational programming.
“I would love the chance to be able to be a role model for people, you know, you can do anything that you set your mind to,” she said in the video.
The judges compared her singing to that of Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Mink’s favorite band.
Washington Post columnist Lisa de Moraes called Mink “a talented country singer,” adding “[She is] the total package, as they like to say on the show.”
Mink, a 2004 graduate of George Rogers Clark High School and a 2009 graduate of Georgetown College, thanked people for their support on her Facebook page, which was flooded with congratulatory messages.
“Thank you EVERYONE for all of the amazing comments! I wish I could respond to all the texts, calls, requests and emails!” she wrote on her page. “Just know I really appreciate all of the support! This is so overwhelming and I’m looking forward to everything to come!”
