When she went to San Jose to do the promo poster for the show she also worked with the vocal coach of the show and they were very impressed with her. She auditioned like everyone else, it wasn't stunt casting.
She has been in musical theater before-she did Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Atlanta a few years ago. I think the San Jose production is a sign she is looking to build her resume for Broadway auditions. I respect her for going to regional theater productions rather than deciding she should jump right to Broadway.
BTW, she's lost about 20 pounds since American Idol and is now 18 years old. She's quite the attractive young lady and her voice is much more mature than it was just 18 months ago. I hope folks consider giving her a chance rather than pre-judging her too badly.
Fairly recent picture
Updated On: 8/13/05 at 08:09 PM