Aiken County woman learns if American Idol journey will continue

WARRENVILLE, S.C. (WJBF) – American Idol viewers will learn Monday night if the Idol journey continues for Chloe Lauren of Warrenville.

The February 23rd episode ended on a cliffhanger for Lauren, with judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood debating whether or not to send her to the safety of the “Golden Room”, from which the top 30 will eventually be chosen from the 127 that made it to “Hollywood Week”.

“Being here on ‘Hollywood Week’ is nerve-racking,” Lauren said. “This does feel like a big opportunity. Stuff like this just doesn’t happen to people like me.

“Growing up in Warrenville was very different,” Lauren said before her performance in a segment set in her hometown. “It’s very small, not very wealthy”.

Lauren said she moved at least 10 times while growing up, switching schools frequently.

“I just didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere,” she said. “I didn’t really have a lot of friends. Music was the constant in all of that. I would lay in bed at night and hope and pray that something would come about, and now I’m here”.

Performing on night one of “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover” in Nashville, Lauren sang a slowed-down version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to mixed reviews from the judges.

“You have one of the most original-sounding voices in the whole competition,” said Bryan as Lauren fought back tears following her performance. “When I heard the moodier version I got confused because I wanted the original version, but I really enjoyed your version, but then it got a little sleepy, but then I still loved your voice”.

“I feel like I let myself down,” Lauren said following Bryan’s comments. “I self-sabotage really badly. I tried to do the best that I could”.

“It’s almost like she’s giving up on herself,” Bryan said to his fellow judges after Lauren left the stage.

“She’s got the voice,” Richie replied. “Wrong song”.

“The pressure of the competition is definitely a factor,” she said. “I don’t feel like I did my very best.

“It’s really about pushing myself and wanting to win, because I know I can”.

Watch American Idol Mondays at 8 p.m. on WJBF NewsChannel 6. You can also follow Chloe on Facebook and Instagram.

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