as 'Idol' competition heats up

By Heather Crain

HOLLYWOOD -- Lindsey Cardinale maintains the "quiet image" before her celebrity judges.

It's an image the 20-year-old Ponchatoula resident has to maintain in much of her life these days as she has become one of 24 finalists on FOX Network's "American Idol."

FOX officials allowed her between seven and eight minutes Thursday afternoon to share her experiences with The Daily Star.

Just the night before, the nation had watched as Cardinale sat before celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul to find out if she would be among the select few competing for the reality show's title.

"Honestly, I really hoped I would make it," she said. "I really didn't know."

While waiting for the elevator ride to her future on the show, the self-taught vocalist kept thinking about the long walk to the chair positioned before the judges and hoping she wouldn't fall.

When the judges told her what she wanted to hear, she politely said "thank you" and walked out calmly.

"I definitely have the quiet image," she said. "Everyone reacts differently. When I'm nervous, I sit back. When I get on stage, I sing my heart out."

Her mother, Agnes Cardinale, also of Ponchatoula, was the first and only person she called with the news, Lindsey said.

Now that she's in California for the show, which airs again next week, Cardinale is living at a hotel in Beverly Hills. Her days are occupied with preparing for the show and getting comfortable with life in Beverly Hills.

"Everybody is very supportive," she said of the other finalists. "We don't want to be competitive until it's time. I'm really close to everybody."

And when she talks, everyone wants to know where she's from.

"When I say Ponchatoula, they really look at me like I have two heads," she said.

Cardinale said she is rooting for everyone in the competition.

"There's a lot of talent," she said.

As for the Simon, Randy and Paula, Cardinale said, "I really truly enjoy all three of them. They truly are talented and know what they're talking about."

Back home, Cardinale's family will be watching the show in support of Lindsey.

When a reporter asked Cardinale if The Daily Star could interview the family as they gathered to watch the show next week, a FOX spokesperson instructed Lindsey not to answer the question and told the reporter to call the network to arrange an appointment.

Cardinale will be on "American Idol" Tuesday night at 7 when the 12 girls selected perform. Eliminations by viewers will be conducted Wednesday when two girls and two boys will be cut.