Ocean Springs Teen Tries Out for American Idol

While Lizzy Martin didn’t make the final cut to go to Hollywood, she certainly caught the eye of the show’s producers. A fellow contestant had this to say about Martin: "I actually saw some people in the holding room that could use a little bit of help with their hair and makeup.”

Not exactly the way most people would want to make their national debut, but Ocean Springs High School sophomore, Lizzy Martin, is making the most of her 15 seconds of fame. Martin also says, “It was funny, but for a second I was thinking to myself, ‘Why would they do that?’ But then I look back on it now and I laugh about it because it is funny. If it was anyone else, I would have laughed.”

The determined high school student says don’t count her out just yet. This promo is not a reflection of her determination, musical talent, and never say die attitude. Martin also says, “I was broken. I thought my life was done. I was ready to give up singing because of three people in a five minute audition, but what was the point in that when this is what I love and this is what I’ve grown up doing, singing and performing for people because that’s what I want to do in my life.”

She hopes to follow in the footsteps of Lumberton native, Michael Simeon, who tried out with her in New Orleans. Neither of them made the final cut in New Orleans, but Simeon tried out again in Nashville, where he finally got the golden ticket to Hollywood. Martin says, “He was so nice and his family and my family talked a lot about it because were both from Mississippi and so we met him there in New Orleans. He was very, very nice the whole time.”

Although Martin didn’t make it to Hollywood, she plans to continue chasing her dreams in hopes of one day being a famous Mississippian. Martin closes, “My dream is to be famous. I mean that sounds a little cliché because who wouldn’t want to be famous?”

To have this much exposure at such a young age, it seems like she’s off to a great start. Martin tells News 25 she plans to try out on another reality singing show next month.