Getting juiced on 'American Idol' hope

• Even elimination rounds an 'awesome experience'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Jordan Segundo works at a juice bar in Waikiki and is shooting for stardom on television. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser 'American Idol' 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays 7:30 to 8 p.m Wednesdays Fox

Jordan Segundo, a 17-year-old from Farrington High who admires Hawai'i artists such as Iz and Na Leo Pilimehana, has survived the slings and arrows of tryouts and is now one of 32 official semifinalists on "American Idol."

Caught at the Waikiki Trade Center Jamba Juice where he works, Segundo posed for a photo that clearly conveys his excitement at catching fire in the "Idol" competition.

Segundo was totally thrilled to take part in the competition, he said.

How did he prevail? He gave judges five songs to choose from for his tryout. They chose one. He sang. They liked it.

When will he appear? Segundo said he is part of a third group of eight broken out for performances on "American Idol." The first group performs tonight.

Segundo got his shot at America's hottest contest through a local competition sponsored by radio station I-94. As the station notes on its Web site, Segundo entered an "American Idol" contest with Rory Wild and the Wake up Krew back in November, singing over the phone for listeners and ending up as one of 15 singers invited to Local Motion in Waikiki for a performance at which he was named grand-prize winner.

He returns to Hollywood Feb. 12 for a Feb. 18 shot on stage in front of the pull-no-punches Simon Cowell, sweet-natured Paula Abdul and pop producer Randy Jackson, reports I-94, which is calling Segundo "our American Idol."

In fact, Segundo has been popping up on the local music scene for some time now, in places such as last year's Miss Hawaii USA contest (he was part of the entertainment lineup). And the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts gave Segundo honorable mention in its 2003 competition for Popular Voice.

In a Q&A posted on the "American Idol" Web site, he says his mom is his favorite idol.

Cowell is his favorite judge because "he tells the truth and he's my mom's favorite."

Jordan's mom, Jodi Segundo, returns the admiration. She says the two are happy that Jordan's talent is bringing recognition.

Jodi Segundo said both she and Jordan are pushing for plenty of local votes on his behalf when he appears on screen in the competition.

More details on Jordan:

• No formal singing training.
• Started singing at 3.
• First concert: "Michael Jackson, with my mom."
• Last concert: "Mariah Carey, without my mom."
• Favorite music: "R&B, pop, soul and Hawaiian."
• Other talents: piano, surfing.

Each Tuesday night through Feb. 25, Hawai'i viewers will get their chance to vote via toll-free telephone lines for the semi-finalists. The top two vote getters each week will become Top 10 finalists.

During a special Wild Card episode March 4, the judges select up to five semi-finalists who did not make the Top Ten to perform again.

Following the broadcast, the home viewing audience will vote for a ninth finalist.

On March 5, the audience's choice will be announced, and judges will choose the 10th contestant.

Even elimination rounds an 'awesome experience'

Jordan Segundo says he believes the "Idol" competition was fair — even though he expected Tamyra to win last year. We got more detail of what it was like to face the "American Idol" firing squad from Reno Kaleokalani David, 24, who along with Lee Dominguez rounded out the three Hawai'i competitors who made it to Mainland auditions before being eliminated.

David said he certainly doesn't feel like a loser.

"It was an awesome experience," said the part-time teacher and aspiring actor, who survived grueling, worrisome, even heart-palpitating auditions in California.

Several days ago, David learned that he was out, along with Dominguez.

Jordan Segundo has emerged as the lone Island finalist, but all three could still be seen on future episodes, since "Idol" will include scenes from auditions, including judges' occasionally brutal analysis of performances.

David said "American Idol" is all about patience, hoping, and being tight-lipped.

You can say what you want — privately — about judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, David said, but you have to watch your tongue in public.

And you can't leak information on who wins, or who loses, before a particular show is aired, according to the contract performers sign with the show. Breaking the code of confidence could be grounds for immediate dismissal.

Performers, good or bad, can be dismissed well before Paula, Simon and Randy give a thumbs up or down. It all starts at the producer-audition level, David said.

"I wouldn't change anything in the world; God took me as far as I could go, so I have no negative feelings," said David, who auditioned late last year — first in an audition hall in Pasadena with 11,000 eager others, then in a Hollywood hotel ballroom, after several rounds of elimination.

"I went, wanting to make the first cut; I ended up making a lot of cuts, so I feel blessed," said David.

It also was a test of his composure. "It's a lot of waiting, and a lot of praying," said David.

He doesn't know how or why he and Dominguez got the boot. Instead of regrets, he's turned his positive energies toward Segundo.

"We became friends, so I'm focusing my (good) feelings so that he can make it (further). I'm happy to be a cheerleader now, happy to support my friend. There's a lot of good energy out there; and you get back what you put into life."

The audition has taught David to think positively.

"What I really take away," he said, "is the belief that in order to be great and the best you can be, you have to work hard. You have to practice. God gave me the gift to sing, so I always will have to work harder."