Winchester’s Lauren Mink may have made it through “Hollywood week,” but she was cut from the popular American Idol show Thursday night.
Mink successfully navigated the a cappella and group sing as well as the solo performance with the Idol band, but the show had 24 female contestants and only space for 20. Mink was one of the four sent home.
“I still was not upset,” she said Friday morning. “I was just really proud of myself for making it all the way through Hollywood week. Very few can say they’ve done that.”
Mink, who performed “You and I” by Lady GaGa, said her two attempts at Idol have been learning experiences.
“I feel each time I’ve learned so much about myself and who I want to be as an artist,” she said. “There’s no negative brought up in either experience. It’s so neat to be able to be in Hollywood and hanging out with amazingly talented people.”
After passing the preliminary audition in Charlotte, N.C., Mink was sent to Hollywood and then performed
“Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin. When celebrity judge Mariah Carey began to sing along, Mink felt good about her chances. She moved on to the next stage.
On Wednesday night’s show, Mink joined three other contestants in the group singing, and all four moved on.
Mink was also successful in the final solo performance, but a packed roster of contestants proved to be her undoing.
“All day long, they kept telling us they were going to have to cut people,” Mink said.
Last year, Mink was invited to Hollywood after auditioning but was cut during Hollywood week.
