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VIDEO: Shelby Tweten's American Idol audition

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  • Shelby Tweten is a student at Mankato West High School who is a contestant on the new season of "American Idol."

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January 25, 2012

VIDEO: Shelby Tweten a hit in ‘Idol’ debut

Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Looking straight into the camera Wednesday night, holding her golden ticket, Shelby Tweten confirmed the rumors surrounding her “American Idol” success herself.

“See you later Minne-snowta. I’m gonna be in Hollywood,” the Mankato West High School student said.

Tweten, of North Mankato, auditioned for the Fox television singing competition last year in Aspen, Colo. The Colorado auditions aired Wednesday, and up until then, rumors had swirled in the Mankato area about whether Tweten would be on the show.

An “Idol” camera crew visited North Mankato and filmed Tweten and her mom, Karrey, talking about what music has meant to both of them. During a lengthy segment on the hour-long episode of the show, Tweten said she suffers from bipolar disorder and had suffered from depression since fourth grade.

“There’s been times when I have hypomanic episodes,” she said, adding that she shakes and stutters and can’t control her body. “... I sing, and it really helps. ‘American Idol’ has given us something to believe in.”

Tweten, a country singer, sung Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home” for judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson. All three loved her performance.

“Beautiful!” Lopez said. “Brought tears to my eyes.”

Jackson said she had a great voice and was “fearless as a singer.”

Tweten and her mom jumped up and down with excitement with the news that she would be going to Hollywood for the next round of auditions.

“Everyone told me I couldn’t do it,” Tweten said. “And I was like, you know what? I’m gonna prove ya’ll wrong some day.”

Various “Idol” fan sites, chat forums and blogs also appear to have leaked the top 42 list of contestants, and if the list is real, Tweten’s name is on it. One site even hinted that she’s one of this year’s judges’ favorites.

The last has not been confirmed with any official sources. But the rumors have many Mankato area folks buzzing over whether we might have a little celebrity in the making right in our own backyard.

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