By CUSD Insider Staff
Ava August’s life continues to be a dream — one broadcast on television coast to coast.
The 15-year-old Dana Hills High freshman made it past another round of ABC’s “American Idol,” now in its 19th season. Her latest appearances Sunday and Monday have been tops or, as she puts it, “the most eventful week of my life.”
On Sunday, host Ryan Seacrest opened an envelope and read August’s name. This meant she had progressed through another round that, with America’s help the show before, put her in the top 16 remaining contestants. The week before, she performed a duet with Josh Groban and a solo act.
On Sunday, she performed “2002” by Anne-Marie, accompanying herself on synth keyboard. The rendition also got her dancing a bit on stage.
“It was fun to show something else, another side of me, to America,” August told CUSD Insider.
The performance was as exciting as it was nerve-wracking, she added.
“It was thrilling to do something out of my comfort zone,” August said.
After receiving some positive feedback from the judges, August progressed to a live show on Monday. That’s when she belted out “Love of My Life” by Freddie Mercury of Queen, a tune more in her comfort zone, she noted.
“I have been doing that one for about two years,” August said. “I love that song. I love Freddie Mercury. Singing it was one of my favorite moments on stage so far.”
For the judges, it was one of their favorites, too.
Lionel Richie commented, “You are singing like an absolute pro, like you’ve been around for the longest time ever … you owned that song tonight.”
Katy Perry compared her to a Juilliard graduate of “elegant beauty.”
“You have this incredible ‘old soulness,’” she said.
Paula Abdul — who filled in for judge Luke Bryan — said the 15-year-old was “reaching for notes that don’t even exist. But once you display them, everyone wants to reach the same note. It’s so beautiful and so unique. It’s really amazing. You can’t put a price tag on it.”
On seeing Abdul, August called her an iconic entertainer who “was the sweetest, nicest lady ever. It was an honor to be in the same room as her.”
August is set to appear for “Oscars Night” Sunday, when the top 12 will sing an Oscar-nominated song. August’s choice won’t be announced until just before Sunday’s broadcast.
America will be voting to whittle down the top 12 to the top nine. Voters can submit their choices up to 10 times on each of the forums: texting, through the “American Idol” phone app and on ABC.com.
On Monday, a special show featuring season 18’s contestants — whose progress was cut short due to the pandemic — will have them coming back for another shot.
The latest week has left August on cloud 9, “floating on this roller coaster. I still haven’t come down yet.”
August’s father, Zachary, said his daughter still has work to do to continue on “American Idol.” In the coming days before her appearance Sunday, it’s, as they say, all about practice, practice, practice.
She’s juggling school, interviews, choreography, wardrobe, vocal rehearsal, hair and makeup — not to mention preserving her voice.
“That’s a lot to think about for a 15-year-old,” Zachary said.
