PONCHATOULA -- The temperature was rising inside the Speakeasy Tuesday night as more than 100 supporters gathered to watch Lindsey Cardinale sing live on "American Idol."

Each time Cardinale's picture flashed on the big screen television, cheers, whistles and applause rang out from the crowded restaurant.

The 20-year-old singing sensation from Ponchatoula was among the 12 female finalists to perform on national television for the public's vote. Tonight, two men and two women will be eliminated from the show.

Tenth to perform, Cardinale, dressed in a teal-colored camisole and white capris, chose a soft ballad to woe viewers and celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.

Critical of most of the performances that night, the judges complimented Cardinale on her voice but rejected her song choice for being dull.

"The song was boring," Cowell told her, "and you're not."

Abdul reiterated her likeness for Cardinale's "deep, sexy voice" but encouraged the singer to take a chance next time.

Despite the judges comments, Cardinale received a thunderous applause from family, friends and supporters gathered in the audience at the Speakeasy downtown, where outside, a live satellite truck from FOX 8 News WVUE New Orleans was camped out.

Television reporters interviewed Lindsey's teary-eyed sister after the performance. Their mother, Agnes, was in Hollywood watching the show, according to the reporter.

The Daily Star has been instructed by officials at the FOX Network in New York to arrange interviews with the family through them. Attempts at arranging such an interview has not yet been successful.

Hours before the show, supporters, armed with signs and clad in T-shirts with Cardinale's picture on them, were gathered on downtown street corners urging passersby to vote for "Ponchatoula's sweetest pick," as their shirts stated.

Several children and teen-agers kept the momentum going for several hours. Erin Kenney, 13, and 14-year-old Dakota Naramore, both of Ponchatoula, were among them.

The two teens and several others stood on the side of Pine Street near the railroad tracks yelling, waving signs and inciting cars to honk as they drove by.

Naramore, a friend of Cardinale's, said he had been promoting the singer since 3 p.m.

"Lindsey has got it," he said. "Except for Bo (Bice). Bo's pretty good now. But I think she's got it. I've seen her sing at the Strawberry Festival a few times."

Younger supporters such as Kristen Polk were also urging people to vote.

"Yes ma'am," the young girl said when asked if Lindsey was her favorite singer on the show. "Because she can sing, and I like her voice and stuff.

Adults didn't miss out on the action either. Daniel Rush of Loranger, an acquaintance of Cardinale, stood at the intersection of Pine Street and Northwest Railroad Avenue with others.

"I'm out here to show my support -- hoping somebody local can go big," he said. "I say, you know, she sings good, and she's got just as good a chance as anybody else."

Inside C'Est Bon waiting for the show to begin, friends Shea Delatte and Julie Rock, both of Ponchatoula, thought the "American Idol" experience was a perk for Ponchatoula and were confident Cardinale would advance.

"I think it's awesome," Rock said of Lindsey's success. "I think that somebody from our hometown on a national show is cool. And she's really good. She'll do good."

"I think it's great -- for the town, for her, for everything." Delatte said. "She's going all the way."

"American Idol" eliminations will begin tonight at 8 on WVUE on Channel 8.