Our own American Idol

Many on the Treasure Coast voted for her, but it was not enough for Kristen O’Connor, a graduate of Sebastian River High School, to make it to the next round on “American Idol.”  That is the popular TV show in which unknown pop singers compete for votes from viewers by telephone and the Internet.  Kristen, 24, is the daughter of Dan and Deidre O’Connor of Sebastian.  Her Mom and grandmother Alice Williford were in Hollywood to cheer her on.  Kristen is a petite young woman with a big voice and a dramatic style.  She was one of three “wild card” contestants added by the judges to the ten who had won the most votes in the previous round.   This time, she belted out Adele’s “Turning Tables.”  “I can’t keep up with your turning tables.  Under your thumb I can’t breathe.”  I thought Kristen performed like a pro.  But she was the first of the Top 13 to be eliminated.  She had the fewest votes, and the three judges did not grant her a “save.”  Kristen said she was grateful for the opportunity to perform before a national audience.  She has not given up on show business but can fall back on her bachelor’s in nursing, earned in December at the University of Central Florida.  Perhaps she could combine the two careers and become famous as “The Singing Nurse.”  For 88.9 FM, this is Paul Janensch.