As Steffi Ledbetter, junior in music theatre, waited in the crowded room with 30 other finalists on "American Idol," all she could think of was how she had possibly just given the worst audition of her life. But when the producers walked back in and said, "You've made it to the celeb round," she couldn't believe her ears.
"I remember the boy next to me," Ledbetter said. "He said, 'Wait, you mean, like, in front of J. Lo?' and when they said yes, we both just stood there."
Although Ledbetter's time on Idol ended after Hollywood, she does not seem too phased by the experience, because she said she knows every experience helps further her career.
Ledbetter said she has been singing for as long as she can remember and has known it was what she wanted to do for just as long.
"I've known I wanted to be a singer, probably since I was 7 or 8," Ledbetter said. "How I felt on stage ... it just felt right, you know?"
When Ledbetter was 10, she was recommended by a friend to a voice teacher in Auburn, April MacDonald.
"I normally don't take children, but since she was referred to me by a musician, I thought I would go ahead and listen to her," MacDonald said.
MacDonald said she knew Ledbetter was talented the second she heard her voice.
"I was afraid that with an impressive voice like that at 11, if I didn't take her as a student, someone would ruin her voice," MacDonald said.
MacDonald said Ledbetter is able to sing in the highest classical register while also having the ability to belt with the best of them.
"She was trained by me in head voice because she could go very, very high, the highest soprano, called a coloratura soprano," MacDonald said.
Since then, MacDonald has been training Ledbetter steadily for the past nine years, watching her go through countless National Anthem performances, a performance for former President George W. Bush, leading roles in plays and "American Idol."
"I was really proud of her because, no matter what, it's great exposure," MacDonald said.
Ledbetter said the confidentiality contract she was under while on the show was the hardest part. After being discovered on YouTube, she was flown to Nashville, Tennessee, to audition for the first round. Even then, she wasn't allowed to report her successes, and when she found out she would be on the show in July, she couldn't tell anyone until December.
Taylor Thomas, sophomore in media studies, said he couldn't believe one of his closest friends would be performing on "American Idol."
"We were just driving in the car when she told me, and I was like, 'Wait, really?' and then I texted her constantly while she was away on the show, asking for updates," Thomas said.
For the celebrity audition, Ledbetter said she wanted to do something different to impress the judges. She practiced singing "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons and added her own jazzy twist. But after performing her planned song, American Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. wanted her to do something more modern in jazz.
"He asked me to sing something by Amy Winehouse," Ledbetter said. "So I picked the first song I could think of on the spot which was 'Back to Black,' and I guess that's what he was looking for."
Although Ledbetter said the entire experience was exhausting, it was also rewarding.
"Getting to go home and work on the things the judges told you and improve before Hollywood week was just a great experience," Ledbetter said.
Throughout her singing career, Ledbetter said she has acquired many fans and supporters who hope to see her succeed and admire her character through all of the fame.
"It would be crazy to be able to buy her own songs on iTunes," Thomas said. "She's crazy talented; so she deserves it."
MacDonald said she is most impressed by Ledbetter's nonchalant attitude.
"Through all of that she's still very humble," MacDonald said. "I'm kind of like her second mother, and I know I brag more about her accomplishments than she does."
"I remember once when I was 10 or 11 and opening for a Trace Adkins concert," Ledbetter said. "In the middle of the concert, Trace Adkins turned to me and said, 'One day I'll be buying tickets to her show.' I'll never forget that."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
