Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Countian advances to Hollywood round on 'Idol'
BY JANE HOLAHAN, Staff Writer

Lancaster's Emily Fritz is a contestant on "American Idol," which started its 12th season last week.

On a lark this past September, Fritz, 27, decided to audition in Newark, N.J. at what was a huge open cattle call.

She got called back and in December, she auditioned in New York for the new lineup of judges: Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey.

Fritz sang "Change is Gonna Come."

"Mariah said it was one of her favorite songs and she'd never heard it done that way," Fritz recalled. "And she said it was wonderful. "

That performance got her one of 41 coveted golden tickets to the Hollywood auditions.

Fritz is a 2003 graduate of Conestoga Valley High School and worked with Tony nominee Jonathan Groff a number of times.

Will she make it further? She isn't allowed to say.

Auditions from other parts of the country will be the subject of this week's episodes. Hollywood Week airs Feb. 6 and 7.

The Top 40 will be named the following week.

The show is seen Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. on Fox 29.

jholahan@lnpnews.com