SYLACAUGA Typhinnie Looney of Odens Mill Road thinks she has a good chance to reach the top 30 finalists for the next American Idol.The 23-year-old is in Orlando today trying out with a voice Ken Ray of Childersburg says sounds like an angel.
Looney left for Orlando at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Thousands are expected to be at the tryouts, which begin at 8 a.m. today.
A friend of the family got an application off the Internet for Looney to try out.
"It was just a stroke of luck that I got an audition," she said. "After filling out the application, I went back online and found out I could try out."
A 2000 graduate of Childersburg High School, Looney attends Central Alabama Community College, where she is majoring in nursing and music. Although she left for Orlando early Wednesday, Looney went to class at CACC Tuesday night. She said her education is important to her, even though she has always dreamed of having a career in music.
Looney hasn't decided what song she will sing at the audition. She must sing a cappella. She said she can sing without music, with a little music or with a lot of music.
Looney has been singing since she was 2 years old too young to know what the words meant to the songs she was singing. She loves to sing and has spent a lifetime doing it, especially in church. Her father pastors a church.
"I've been trying to make it big since I was 7 or 8. Now, here is my chance. I'm expecting to make it to the top," she said.
Her parents are the Rev. Stanley and Thera Looney of Sylacauga. She has a 4-year-old daughter, Ariale Di'nae Looney.
Looney planned to be in line at 6 a.m. today, and like thousands of others, hopes for a shot at becoming the next American Idol. Her uncle is accompanying her to the audition.
This is the fourth edition of the popular show aired on the Fox television network.
