ISLAND IDOLS
Jasmine Trias focused on becoming 'Idol' finalist

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Jasmine Trias, a 17-year-old senior at Maryknoll High School, dropped out of the "Junior Miss" competition this last fall.

"American Idol" semifinalist Jasmine Trias, a Maryknoll High School senior, has been taking voice lessons from entertainer William Daquioag since she was 8 (except for a period when she skipped lessons) at The Performing Artist Academy in Waipahu. "Her voice has a different tone ... a different quality," Daquioag said of the Mililani teenager who competes tomorrow night for a spot on the final 12. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Nobody ever said life as the "American Idol's" mystery girl would be easy. But shed no tears for Trias. Her senior memories will start to pile up tomorrow night when she performs for a national audience on Fox.

She is the last of three Island contestants to compete in the round of 32 and clearly the one with the lowest profile so far. She hasn't spoken on camera, hasn't performed or even flashed a shaka sign.

But there's been a huge buzz surrounding her for months.

First, she was "the girl with the braces" early on in the "American Idol" auditions. Trias was 16 then — and she sported toothy hardware that glistened with her smile.

Then she became "the Maryknoll mystery girl," after she was picked to be among the 32 semifinalists. Her school protected her identity until Fox gave the OK to go public.

Trias is now 17, and the braces are gone.

She's ready for her shot at Idolhood.

Still, as one of the contestants in the final group of eight seeking a slot on the final 12, Trias remains somewhat of a puzzlement to viewers here and abroad.

Whodagirl? Wheredagirl? Whydasecrecy?

Let us tell you.

Yes, she's never been heard on the show. Her impressive audition at the Sheraton Waikiki hotel never reached the tube.

If she's been interviewed, she's never been seen on the tube, either.

Oh, she was there, a dreamer among the 32 semifinalists. But if you blinked, you probably missed her; she was the one with the tiny flower over her right ear.

Jasmine Soriano trias Age: 17 Birth date: Nov. 3, 1986 Birthplace: Honolulu Lives in: Mililani Ethnicity: Filipino, Spanish, Chinese School: senior at Maryknoll High School; studies voice at the Performing Artist Academy Morale boosters she's taken with her: Parents Rudy and Nora Trias; brother Ronel, 15, and sister Neolani, 6 Ritual before going on stage: "I sip hot tea ... and say a prayer." Tips for future "Idol" contestants: "I think confidence is very important — as well as a positive attitude; you should never give up; just maintain a positive mentality whenever you perform; you should go for it."

Her signature item — a faux flower tucked over her right ear — is the easiest way to recognize her in a crowd. "It's my 'Hawai'i' thing," she said. Not necessary a lucky charm, but her way of saying aloha, displaying her allegiance to home.

Trias is diminutive in stature, a Filipina with a flair for vocal dynamics and who wears glasses when she's not on stage.

She's extremely focused.

And committed.

That's why she pulled out of the Junior Miss pageant — which may have required her to do some singing. "Idol" finalists are forbidden to publicly perform once they are tapped for the round of 32 and beyond. (The show does allow her to sing at school and church functions, because she's a member of the choir.)

That's also why she's put off any plans for proms and dates. If she goes the distance, her time won't be her own.

"If I make it (by winning "Idol"), I don't know if I can go," she said. "I've had a couple of prom invitations, but I can't say yes. I'd love to go, but I don't want to leave my date hanging. I just don't know my (immediate) future."

She does not have a steady boyfriend. "Just casual friends," she said, smiling.

She's baffled, but unflappable, about her seeming slight on the show. She doesn't know if that shroud of mystery is a plus or a minus. Being among the last group to compete, she said she has the advantage of learning from mistakes that some of the other contestants have made so far. She's also able to analyze what the judges like or don't like, and build on the positive energy of contestants who've made it so far.

She has confidence far beyond her years. Perhaps her exposure in amateur contests and school appearances has removed fear and fueled her desire to achieve and succeed. "When I first watched the show this season, I got a little nervous — it's a whole different setup, with audience surrounding the contestants. It's a bit close (in the past, the audience was situated at a distance)," she said. "The national TV thing doesn't bother me.

"I like the feeling I get when I perform; it's hard to explain. You feel fulfilled. Satisfied. And when I perform a fast song, I connect with the audience, establish a relationship. It all makes me feel good."

She was happy that Camile Velasco, 17, of Ha'iku, Maui, survived her arduous "Idol" phase two weeks ago, becoming the first Islander to make it to the final 12. She was disappointed that Jonah Moananu, who just turned 22, didn't advance to the finals. And naturally, she hopes to pull in the lion's share of votes tomorrow.

Maryknoll High senior Jasmine Trias waves to friends who turned out to wish her luck at a pep rally held at Maryknoll's grade school campus last week. At left is her mother, Nora Trias. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

She's been distilling the weekly competitions, observing the performances and listening to the judges. "But I have no specific strategies at this point," she said. "There's no scenario. I just have to focus."

She said she's most concerned about "doing my best, do what I can. If America loves me, fine; if not, I have no regrets. I know Hawai'i has been very supportive, so this has been one of the greatest appearances of my life, and making it to the top 32 has been an honor. For now, I'm just along for the ride — and enjoying the experience."

William Daquioag, who operates The Performing Artist Academy in Waipahu, has been Trias' voice teacher for years.

"She's always been a bubbly girl," said Daquioag, who also is part of Waikiki act the Society of Seven Las Vegas and a former member of The Krush. "She has strong goals and is very focused. She knows what she wants. She's always been like that."

Daquioag has been her mentor since Trias was 8; except for a period when she skipped lessons, she has been working with him regularly, with a beefed-up regimen the past few months, as she prepared for her "Idol" moment.

And boundless determination and desire, said her father, Rudy Trias. "She's the only one in the family who can sing," he said. "She's always been strong, determined; started singing lessons at 6, quit when she was 12, went back and entered Brown Bags to Stardom when she was a freshman, and tried more voice lessons again to improve herself."

Win or lose, Trias has her future on track. If she earns the "Idol" title, she'll gun for a singing career, following the lead set by Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, who owe their recording success to "Idol."

"At the same time, as a backup, education is so important," said Trias. "So I do want to be a nurse; I'd enroll at HPU (Hawai'i Pacific University) for college, get my bachelor's, and get into nursing. But America will have a say in my ultimate destination."

Trias said she's been honored by winding up among the top 32.

"I'm really proud," she said. "I've met so many people in the process, even in the Hollywood audition process, so I feel blessed. Some have become close friends."

Trias has a solid, bonding foundation on three fronts — school, church and family; she has widespread community support. Her classmates are poised to vote for her. The Rev. Marc Alexander of the Manoa Punahou Catholic Community (comprised of three churches) blessed Trias at a Maryknoll assembly last Tuesday, wishing her good luck; Maryknoll students and faculty toasted her in a mass school assembly. Her 'ohana from The Performing Artist Academy in Waipahu gave her a potluck send-off last Monday at the Sheraton Waikiki's Esprit lounge, lavishing her with lei, balloons, flowers and other gifts.

Six members of her Mililani family, including dad Rudy, mom Nora, brother Ronel, 15, and sister Neolani, 6, are in Hollywood to root for her.

"I couldn't have made it this far without everybody's support," she said.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.