Arts & Entertainment

Sandy Hook 17-Year-Old Headed to 'American Idol'

Three Connecticut residents received a "ticket to Hollywood" to appear in the reality show American Idol — and a 17-year-old Sandy Hook resident Hayley Pettinato is one.

Hayley, who describes herself as a singer-songwriter, tweeted the news yesterday at @HayleyPettinato.

"This is unreal!!” she wrote. "I can't express my gratitude enough for all the support I've been getting! So thankful!!”

Pettinato’s audition did not air during the show’s premiere Wednesday night, but she won her round and moved on to the next round in Hollywood. She described the event as “like nothing I’ve ever experienced before” in a post-show interview released by the program, according to the Connecticut Post.

She will join two other Connecticut residents — Erin Christine of Madison and Amaryllis Rodriguez of Hartford — on the top-rated program judged by Harry Connick, Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban. American Idol airs on Fox and is now in its 13th season.

Pettinato has co-written six original songs with triple-platinum selling producer Frankie Vinci, according to her Facebook page. She also releases music through her Youtube channel, HayleyNoelleMusic. Click above to watch her performance of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” performed in the style of Janis Joplin.


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