Danville Teen Advances to Hollywood on 'American Idol'

BY JANE McINNIS

On Thursday night's premiere of 'American Idol,' a young Danville native moved forward in the reality singing competition after auditioning with 'Stay' by Sugarland.

Rachel Rolleri, a 17-year-old senior at Monte Vista High, impressed judges with her "thick" voice and confident approach.

"It sounded worse to me in there. I thought I sounded terrible and wasn't going through," she said in an interview with Patch.

Judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. sure didn't think so.

The straight-shooting teen said she was nervous at the October audition, but had too much adrenaline to botch her audition.

"I decided to be my usual old self," she said.

If you missed the episode, Rolleri's full audition is available for viewing here.

Idol will return next Jan. 22 with auditions from Detroit. Episodes for competitors who made it to Hollywood will pick up in February.