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SANDY -- Get ready for another Utahn to make a run at becoming the next American Idol.
Megan Joy Corkrey sang last week on the TV show but didn't get enough votes to make it into the finals. So the judges brought her back Thursday night for the wild card. Now she's one of the final 13 and will sing for votes again next Tuesday. The show was originally going to have only 12 finalists, but in a last minute surprise Thursday night, the judges decided to make it 13.
Corkrey is from Sandy. She's 23 years old, a mom with a big smile, and the judges think she's current and original. Corkrey has been a judges' favorite since her audition for the show in Salt Lake City.
At that time, judge Simon Cowell, said, "One of the best auditions, because yours is a voice I'm going to remember."
We didn't see much of Megan on TV during Hollywood week, but we learned she was put through to the top 36. She told the TV show, "I auditioned for American Idol because I was at a crossroads. Anything was possible and anything still is possible, and why not chase a dream?"
Finally she got her chance to sing for America's votes two weeks ago. She performed "Girl Put Your Records On." Judge Randy Jackson said, "I love the tone of your voice, this whole kind of smoky jazz thing. You are definitely drop dead, and it was a nice job."
Another judge, Kara DioGuardi, said, "You are what we call a package artist. You are very pretty, you stand out, you are unique, and with the right song, you could be a breakout hit artist."
Despite the judges' praise she wasn't one of the three voted through to the finals the next night. It seemed she was going home, until this week. The judges announced they were bringing her and seven others back for a wild card round.
Thursday night, Megan sang again, this time "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree."
Simon remarked, "I've always liked you. And I still like you. You're terrific."
Paula Abdul said, "I had fun watching you, with the little dancing and the arm going."
Simon added, "I think that you have originality, you're quirky. You've got your own thing going."
The judges put her in the finals.
Corkrey is a font designer. She has a 2-year-old boy and has no formal voice training but has been singing since she was 3 years old.
The other Utahn in the top 36, Taylor Vaifanua, did not advance to the finals this week.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
