'American Idol,' here we come

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

"I think being Asian American, from Hawai'i, is a positive thing for me," said Jordan Segundo. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I wonder how the Mainland will perceive a Hawai'i boy, the dark kid, but I think I have to be myself from the beginning," said the Farrington High School senior, now 18, of his Tuesday appearance on the Fox-TV show. He has prepared five tunes and will work with producers to settle on one.

He wonders if his Filipino background will be a factor among national voters, but feels he's a role model. "I think being Asian American, from Hawai'i, is a positive thing for me," said Segundo, who has survived earlier runoffs to emerge as the lone hopeful from the Islands. "Brook Lee and Angela Baraquio did well to represent Hawai'i in the Miss Universe and Miss America contests. I hope to represent Hawai'i well, too."