• Home
  • Bio
    • Let’s Wait!
    • Supercuts
  • Music
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • My Blog
    • Press
  • Events
    • Past Events
    • All Events
  • Shop
    • Cart
  • Contact
    • Donate
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

american-idol

American Idol – My Journey, My Story [AUDIO]

May 14, 2014 by AshleYYY
My Blog
#ThisIsReal, 2014, American Idol, AshleYYY, AshleYYY Music, Atlanta Auditions, Celebrity Judges, Harry Connick Jr., hhucit, HHUCIT Music Group, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, My Journey, My Story, Season 13, Singer

Finally! I can tell you guys about my American Idol auditions. I couldn’t say much at the time, but man, what a journey! This was my FIRST American Idol audition EVER! I just never got around to auditioning for the show until this season. There were so many ups and downs…

The process was LONG. I met 4 times in a span of 4 months. The first audition was in July of 2013, and I finished the process a couple months after. I experienced so many emotions. As a performer, I’m already antsy before I go on stage. But what sUcKs about auditions is that you never know exactly what time you will perform! So that alone adds on to the unwanted stress. There is so much you have to be prepared for… The weather, standing in line for hours, sitting in waiting rooms for long periods of time, staff yelling out directions throughout the day, and obviously, a lot of people = a whole lot of noise! Lol.

But it’s not all bad. Like I said, this was my first time auditioning, and I did very well. 🙂 The producers gave me a pass for the first round. From there, I had to fill out tons of paper work, take pics, & give them my contact info. It was exciting!  I learned a little of what goes on behind the scenes and how important it is to be discreet when you’re part of the filming process for any show! You never want to spoil anything. (And can get in trouble if you do! Lol) I got to see how much work is involved and why it takes so many people to make things run smoothly. Crazy!  Everyone was helpful and pretty cool for the most part. I also got to meet new people from across the country and see some amazing talent. After you keep making it pass each round, the groups start to get smaller and you start to recognize faces. I understand why it was so important to look the EXACT same way every time I showed up! Lol You never know what footage they might use. It’s a process, just like any other TV show audition, and you have to sing a few times in front of different people before you actually see the celebrity judges. Thank God they all liked what they saw! 🙂

So after lots of singing, interviews, & anticipation, it all came down to the celebrity judges. It was the end of October by the time they came to Atlanta, GA. We were their last city. And I was in the last group of the day. :/ I was pretty calm, and just really anxious to go. I stepped into “The Chamber”, prayed, fixed my Nikes, checked myself in that full body mirror, and when I saw the green light, I headed for the judges room! FINALLY!  The judges seemed nice and gave some convo. before asking me to sing. I performed Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” and a piece of Bruno Mars “When I Was Your Man”. I guess it wasn’t my best performance cuz they ALL said “No!” lol Jennifer Lopez even said, she liked my facial expressions and it reminded her of theatre/Broadway. But she didn’t think I was “what they were looking for.” 🙁

I swear I went in there expecting to just nail it and get that ticket to Cali. All week I was so excited just to see JLo in person! lol But it was so odd. Opposite. They weren’t smiling at the end. So I was disappointed, but as always, was professional & kept my smile on. I came out to meet my family/friends, with the camera in my face, only to reveal I didn’t make it. Lol Afterwards I did my last interview “confessional style” and hit it! Lol I think it all just really hit me in the car on the way home. I realized just how disappointed I was and how bad I wanted it. I saw myself in California preparing for the next round, and making it to TV! I would’ve been okay with just that! Lol I even cried…  I couldn’t help but think out loud: What was it that they were looking for? I should’ve warmed up again! Maybe they didn’t like my song choice. I didn’t hit that last note right. Maybe they would’ve said, “yes”, if I went earlier in the day” and so on. That’s what I do – think about any and everything that could’ve had an effect on my performance and on their decision! Lol I thought back to how well the other rounds went and also my previous performances as a singer in general. It’s so frustrating when I don’t sound my best. But sometimes we have not so good days and that’s okay. It happens. What is important, is to learn from it. “Giving up” or changing the way I sing because of 3 people, wouldn’t be an option for me. But instead, I had to take into consideration their feedback. I appreciate Harry Connick Jr’s remarks about my vocal tonality. That’s something I can work on! Keith Urban even thought I was imitating the artist’s voice and that I should already have my “own sound.” I was reminded that day that everyone will not always like what I do, and people are entitled to their own opinions. That’s life! (And I’m in the music/entertainment business, and I know I ain’t seen nuthin’ yet! Lol.) But after every “bad” performance, I gotta keep it moving!! Just something else I had to go through…

iphone oct-nov2013 290

I’ve learned how important it is to come up with my own way to prepare for these types of auditions. The same preparation can be used for my own shows as well! It’s so imperative that I know what works for me & what doesn’t! I gotta stay warm, keep my vocals warmed up until I sang, find a way to stay focus & be mentally ready even when there’s so much going on around me! Oh and always have snacks handy! HOLLA! Haha. (Just to name a few. 🙂 As always, I’m thankful for opportunities. I’m thankful for Edward- my manager, Queen- my vocal coach, my family, friends, fans, & supporters. You guys give me motivation when I can’t seem to motivate myself. You remind me that I AM a “star” no matter what. 🙂 Edward & Queen- I need people to always be honest with me, to correct me… but at the same time, uplift me and let me know it’s going to be okay, simply because they believe in me. Thank you for that. Thank You All!

I know I’m getting sappy and trust me, I didn’t expect to write so much (but then again I never do! lol) But, just reflecting on the little things and every challenge I face makes me appreciate life and the people in it. Without trials, there’s no room to grow. And ya’ll know over here, we all about progression! 😉

Thanks again…

Love,

~AshleYYY

Xoxo.

IMG_3589

My American Idol Audition Song! [VIDEO]

April 16, 2014 by AshleYYY
My Blog
2014, American Idol, AshleYYY, AshleYYY Music, Audition, Carrie Underwood, Good Girl, hhucit, HHUCIT Music Group, Singer

 

Bet ya’ll didn’t know I chose to sing a country song for my American Idol audition, now did ya?! Hehee! 🙂 That’s right, I sang Carrie Underwood’s “Girl Girl.” I remember the first time I heard it and was like, “Wow, this woman is sangin’ her butt off!” Lol plus the song is up beat, sassy & fun to dance to! Immediately I knew I had to learn it. I began practicing it at home & with my vocal coach, and months later it became one of my audition pieces! #PerfectTiming

My goal was to ensure that the Idol producers & judges knew just how versatile I am as an artist. I believe an “American Idol” should be able to sing any genre of music and make it their OWN! 😉 So check out my audition piece below & tell me what ya think!

~AshleYYY 🙂 

AshleYYY – “Good Girl” Carrie Underwood (Cover)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC1vSjm4Zbc]

Thanks for watching & be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the site! 

Want to see more of my American Idol Journey? See highlights here! 

6 Things You Didn’t Know About My American Idol Journey!

March 19, 2014 by AshleYYY
My Blog
2014, 6 Things You Didn't Know, American Idol, AshleYYY, AshleYYY Music, Atlanta Auditions, hhucit, HHUCIT Music Group, Highlights, Jennifer Lopez, Milwaukee, Photos, Season 13, Singer

 

Hey guys! I thought it would be cool to share some of my AI highlights, PLUS photos from each audition round! Check it out below…

1. My friends & family came to support me at the auditions. My cousins even made me my very first poster 🙂 hehee!

Idol 2

2. I was given a camcorder to record my journey. Since I auditioned in Atlanta, it was very important for me to get some footage of my family in Milwaukee. I still would’ve been representing my hometown – and I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂

3. We recorded a video chat with my family & I – smart idea Ed! Brought us all together to catch up and it was so fun to see everyone on one couch. 🙂 It’s been a minute since I’ve been back home to visit.

Idol 3

4. I got to do interviews, tell my story, and convince the producers that I’m the FULL PACKAGE baby! Lol and just why I’m “marketable” 😉 I even had to dance a few times too!

5. I got to see JLO in person!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah!

6. I thought the judges were pretty honest! I appreciated their constructive criticism.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW! [Captions go counterclockwise]…

First audition – purple lip & fro! | Day 2 – Bring the family! My cousins Nikki & Tierra | Day 3 – Ed & I (Celeb judge day)

Idol 4

Ed & I posted by the Idol props | Carrie Underwood & I! lol There were pics of all the AI winners scattered throughout the waiting room. (It was only right for me to take a pic with the artist of my cover song choice :))

Idol 5

Waiting in line – Interview Day!

Idol 1

I’ll continue to share my experience with you all – “American Idol – My Journey, My Story” is coming next! Until then, watch my first AI blog [VIDEO] here!

~AshleYYY

F! F! F! (Fun Fact Friday) – January 2014

January 31, 2014 by AshleYYY
My Blog
2014, American Idol, AshleYYY, AshleYYY Music, Birthday Girl, F! F! F!, Fun Fact Friday!, hhucit, HHUCIT Music Group, Resident of Georgia, T-Pain, Winter Storm

It’s that time again… Fun Fact Friday! For the Month of January 2014 🙂

1. “Winter Storm” catches Atlanta off guard

snow

So as I mentioned in my previous blog, we had a “winter storm” the other day. People were stuck on slippery roads, in traffic for hours. Some slept at schools, local businesses, and/or were even forced to leave their cars & walk to find shelter for the night. Today, I learned that all the cars left on the road were towed! Owners can come claim their abandoned vehicles & drive them home! Praise God. I was wondering how they were gonna get the cars off the streets. Lol

2. T-Pain

One of my good friends/dancer, Vanessa, invited me to meet a few artists over the holiday. I met a couple singers, writers, and even spoke to T-Pain himself! Lol How cool. (He doesn’t know yet, but one day we will do a collab. 🙂 Lol) Next time I’ll make sure I tell him how much I love his music! I actually dance to a lot of his songs. “Booty Wurk” is the latest one…Check out my performance from last year! –> Click here

3. Birthday Girl  

January is my birthday month 🙂 and this year I wrote a pretty personal blog about turning another year old. Get deep with me here –> Click here

IMG_3479 I’ve also realized it’s about 15 of us whose bdays ALL fall in this month! :O (i.e. My mom, sister, niece, nephews, friends, etc.) Capricorn babies! Oh and an Aquarius! (…I’m not really into all that sign stuff, but I figure I’d give a shout out. Lol)

4. American Idol Premieres

IMG_3589

As you all know I auditioned for American Idol, season 13 and it finally aired; which means I am now able to really share my experience with you all. If you missed my first post/video, check it out here –> Click here

Expect more of my story and footage soon! Told ya’ll I got ya covered 😉 And once again, THANK YOU guys for being so supportive!

5. Official resident of Georgia!

OKAY SO LEMME TELL YA’LL WHAT WENT DOWN….. I received a letter in the mail from the DMV back home in WI. It was almost time for me to renew my “probationary license” lol. So I decided to finally renew it but at the same time become a GA resident officially – right before my birthday! So this was a big deal for me! I was so excited!

NOW I SAID TO MYSELF I WASN’T GONNA COMPLAIN ANYMORE & TELL THE PUBLIC ABOUT IT, BUT…. This is a major fun fact! Lol So I rushed to do my make-up & hair, get to the DMV all cute, get to the counter and go thru the process. It’s time to take my pic and the worker says, “Don’t move until you see the flash.” So I fix myself up a bit, look up (waiting to hear “1, 2, 3”..), then I see the flash and hurry up & smile last minute! The worker told me the picture looked “fine.” Okay, so I don’t sweat it. Then I get the print out and I’m like, “Oh, …I wasn’t ready..” I WASN’T EVEN SMILING!!! EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT ASHLEY SMILES!!!! :/ #Fail #WT* #WeAk!

I get to the car and call my twin sister to vent for a sec, but she couldn’t talk long. I was about to tear up in the car. I swear I wanted to burst out crying HAHA. So I call my mom, and we talked for a good minute! She felt my pain! Lol The rest of the day I shopped alone, and my mom helped calm me down 🙂 I HAD to remember that the worker DID apologize and NEXT TIME, I will have to be MORE VOCAL! This story has a moral to it – I have to learn to be more ASSERTIVE in certain situations! That’s my goal. 🙂 Lol Praise God. ….OMG I just relived that whole experience again HAHA but I’m fine 🙂

So there you have it! My fun facts of the month. I hope you enjoyed reading about my misery & pain as much as I did typing it!! Lol

Much Love & Happy Friday World – Love You Guys…MUAH!

~AshleYYY 

xoxo.

IMG_3405

My “American Idol XIII” Journey [VIDEO]

January 15, 2014 by AshleYYY Music
My Blog
American Idol, AshleYYY, AshleYYY Music, Fox, hhucit, HHUCIT Music Group, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban

AshleYYY - American Idol

Hey World! American Idol Season 13 is airing tonight! I’m glad I can finally share my experience with you all. This was my FIRST American Idol audition EVER! I took lots of pictures and even documented my journey! Watch some footage of my audition below…

American Idol Season 13 aires TONIGHT & tomorrow on FOX!! I’ll definitely be watching! Thank y’all for the support & stay tuned for more footage – I got y’all covered! 🙂 ~AshleYYY

Search AshleYYY

Copyright © 2020 to infinity | AshleYYY | All Rights Reserved.
Proudly Designed by The Peblicite Firm an E. Griffin Enterprises Company