'American Idol' Judges Send Local Student to Hollywood

With two yes votes from "American Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, 's Xavier Callicott is on his way to Hollywood.

Callicott, a senior at , was briefly seen on the hit reality show Thursday night walking out of the judges' audition room holding a "golden ticket."

"It was just crazy and unreal," Callicott told Upper St. Clair Patch following the show. "I was really nervous with Jennifer."

Callicott's audition in front of the famous judges was not aired, but he wasn't so unhappy about that. He said Steven Tyler told him he was nervous and didn't move enough.

However, he still made it to the next round and said he was able to better prepare for his next performance. He hopes his singing will be shown on TV.

Hannah Lane, an Upper St. Clair High School sophomore, was also glued to the TV Thursday night. She tried out for the show and was part of the crowd at Heinz Field.

Although the 15-year-old didn't make it through the first cut, she enjoyed the experience and plans on trying out for more reality singing shows in the future.

"I so want to do it again. It was so much fun. It hurt getting rejected, but you have to go in with the mindset you'll make it," Lane said.

Lane hoped the show would have featured more Pittsburgh auditions, other than just "Patty the Pittsburgh Planker."

Lane is now rehearsing for the high school's spring musical, "South Pacific," and working on finishing up a six-song CD she wrote for a school project. The proceeds she earns from CD sales will be donated to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

She asked her new friend from "Idol," Callicott, to join her for a duet on the CD.

"He's such a good singer," Lane said.

The song is called, "The Greatest Thing." Lane hopes the CD will be finished by the end of the month. Follow the Facebook page for updates.

As for Callicott's future, he's not allowed to reveal how far he makes it in the show. However, he did reveal he made the first round audition for the Berklee School of Music in Boston and hopes "American Idol" will help him with publicity.

Callicott said he started singing when he was 11 years old while living in Korea. He would sing karaoke with his family and friends.

His family moved to the United States when he was 15 years old, then moved to Upper St. Clair when he was a sophomore.

He said he's had no professional singing training.

"I tried out because I heard 'American Idol' was coming to Pittsburgh and I just went for it without any experience," he said.

Sounds like it was worth it.

Watch for Callicott in the "American Idol" Hollywood round. In the meantime, click here or here to listen to some of his favorite songs on YouTube.

A special episode airs at 10 p.m. on Sunday after the NFC Championship Game.

What did you think of "American Idol" in Pittsburgh? Tell us in the comments.

This story was first published on Upper St. Clair Patch.