St. Damian Grad Earns Spot on 'American Idol'

A former Oak Forest resident will be heading to Hollywood as a contestant for American Idol after making it through her Detroit audition.

Megan Waltman, 22, who lived in Oak Forest until 2002, was given "a golden ticket" to continue on to Hollywood to compete in the show's 13th season by the judges of Fox's singing competition. She was one of 40 contestants chosen from the Detroit audition. So far, the judges—Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.—have chosen 119 Idols-to-be from four audition sites to continue competing.

In a bio video on the American Idol website, Waltman said Lopez was surprised by the soulful voice she had, and Urban gave her a hug. 

This isn't the first time Waltman's audition for the show. She tried out during the 2009, and although she didn't advance, the judges told Waltman she should try again. 

Waltman, who lives in Tinley Park now, went to St. Damian School and is a 2009 Andrew High School graduate, according to her mom, Colleen. She also graduated from Moraine Valley Community College in 2011, Colleen added.

"I am incredibly proud of my daughter for always pursuing her dreams!" Colleen wrote in an email to Patch.

South suburban residents appearing on American Idol is starting to become a trend. In 2011, Oak Forest native Chris Medina just missed making the cut for the top 24 in the show's 10th season. In 2007, Tinley Park resident Gina Glocksen came in ninth place during the sixth season.

Check out the video in this article of what Waltman had to say about passing her Detroit audition on Wednesday night's episode of American Idol. Patch will continue to follow Waltman through the competition.