Former Broome County Public Defender Intern Sings Her Way to American Idol

You're going to Hollywood! Those were the words heard by a former intern at the  Broome County Public Defender's Office as she successfully sang her way to a spot on American Idol.

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There is absolutely no denying that Amara Valerio, a student at Cornell University, has an incredible voice, but she also has a vital TikTok video to thank for catching the eye of the country and launching her toward American Idol.

As Valerio stood before American Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, she explained that when she was a junior in high school, she was picked to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" at the high school graduation for the class ahead of her.

In the middle of Valerio's singing, a senior walked up to the stage and yanked the microphone from Valerio, explaining that it was her graduation and she should be the one singing. That, of course, was all captured on video.

@amaravalerio Replying to @radaradaradarad sara if you’re reading this u suck #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound - Amara Valerio

Valerio shared the video on TikTok in 2022 and it received over 10.1 million views as well as a message from a producer at American Idol inviting Valerio to audition for the show.

During her audition, Valerio shared the viral TikTok video with the American Idol judges who had a lot to say about it.

For her audition, Valerio decided to sing Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows” and the judges were so impressed that they didn't even need to take time to critique or discuss Valerio's performance - they instantly all shouted, “You’re going to Hollywood!”

Valerio will now head to the next round of American Idol, although she isn't yet sure what the dates will be for the next step in the competition singing show.

For now, Valerio continues her studies at Cornell where she also works at the University's Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives. For some time, Valerio also interned with the Broome County Public Defender’s Office.