BRIDGEPORT--She got the golden ticket!
Chynna Sherrod, a 16-year-old high school student in Bridgeport, made it through to Hollywood Week during the last ever "American Idol" auditions on Thursday night.
"I'm from Connecticut, I know you're from Connecticut, represent," Chynna said to Harry Connick Jr., who lives with his wife and three daughters in New Canaan, Connecticut.
"How do you represent Connecticut?" Harry joked. "It's like, 'I'm from Connecticut, get down and vote with me. Play like you live, and here's my mansion with a tennis court and a pool.'"
"Connecticut's great," Chynna responded while laughing.
Chynna sang "One Last Time" by Arianna Grande, and the judges loved her voice and laid back style.
"You sing like you are: laid back, chill, you don't take yourself too seriously, but you really feel life and it's great," said Keith Urban.
All three judges voted her through, and continued to praise the young singer after she left the room to celebrate with her family.
Former "American Idol" Carry Underwood also thought our local budding star has what it takes--Chynna was the only audition she tweeted about Thursday night! And Ryan Seacrest retweeted her, again, his only tweet of the night about a contestant.
It was also Harry Connick Jr.'s birthday during the Atlanta auditions, and boy did they celebrate!
Early in the show Harry showed Jennifer Lopez and Keith an image of a monkey he and his daughter Charlotte really wanted, and just a little while later his birthday wish (or at least one of them) came true!
"Oh my god this is the coolest day of my life!" Harry exclaimed about Keith's gift.
Meanwhile, a triple-threat auditionee found out he may only be a double-threat.
Cody Ostrenga, who told the judges he can shoot cans on a horse at 45 mph and is a three-time world champ, also showed off his bellydancing skills.
"You have the singular most unusual collection of talent I have ever seen in my life," Harry Connick.
Unfortunately, he didn't quite make the cut.
Gina Naomi Baez brought along Tinkerbell, her papitese--a papillon-Maltese hybrid--for her tryout.
She and her pup also wore matching blue dresses--for "American Idol's" primary color--with sparkly stars on it.
The unusual prop certainly caught the judges' collective attentions.
"What other business would you have a person coming in for a job interview with a dog named Tinkerbell wearing a dress with stars on it?" Harry pointed out about why he likes working in entertainment.
And last, but not least, Manny Torres was the last audition EVER.
He sung Maroon 5's "This Love," which he put his own touch on. And the judges loved it! Welcome to Hollywood Manny!
Catch up with the golden ticket winners during Hollywood Week next Wednesday on FOX 61 at 8 p.m.