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"Crying Girl" Talks About Her 'Idol' Audition
She may not have made it past the first round but the little girl known as 'Crying Girl,' Ashley Ferl, is happy about her "American Idol" audition experience.
"I'm still glad I did it!" she exclaimed.
[left, Ashley Ferl and mom Stacy at the American Idol auditions]
I spoke to Ashley this morning - the Riverside, California teen who gained national fame two and half years ago for her tearful reaction to seeing season six contestant Sanjaya Malakar perform live during Top 11 week on "American Idol."
In April she turned 16, which made her eligible to audition for the show. Despite having no true singing experience she went for it!
"I just kind of practiced in my room and that's about it," she told me this morning.
She and her mom Stacy arrived at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. at 10:45 PM the night before the auditions in order to get a prime spot towards the front of the line. They didn't get much sleep.
"Not really. There were like a few people behind us that kept like talking and singing on the top of their lungs," Ashley explained.
The gates opened at 7:30 AM -- and after sitting in the stands for 90 minutes -- it was finally her chance to shine. She and four others stood in line to sing for one of the producers. She chose the song "Tim McGraw" by Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, the audition didn't go so well.
"He called us all up and then he just told us all no. He did say that we weren't ready. That's pretty much it. I was crying."
Ashley says it took her about 45 minutes to stop crying. Being rejected though hasn't deterred her from trying out again. Although this time vocal lessons may be in her future.
"I want to... my mom is looking into it," she confirmed.
So was she watching Sanjaya during his recent stint on NBC's "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!?"
"Of course I did," she giggled. "I thought he did really good. He should have won!"
But sorry Sanjaya... you're so two years ago! Ashley has a new favorite... this year's runner up Adam Lambert.
"I really cried like the hardest ever when Adam lost."
I can't believe that she auditioned. I can't wait to see what Simon said to her.