East Carolina University sophomore Emily Minor may get her big break today on "American Idol," which airs at 8 p.m. on Fox television.

Minor, a native of Wilmington, was among the hundreds of thousands of aspiring singers who auditioned over the summer for a chance to become the country's next great singing sensation.

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Emily Minor, an East Carolina student, auditioned for 'American Idol' in Charleston, S.C., winning a chance to compete in Hollywood, Calif.

She impressed two of the three judges — guess which one didn't like her? — and was one of the 165 singers ages 16-27 invited to come to Hollywood, Calif., to compete for the 24 finalist spots. The footage from the competition in Hollywood airs today and Wednesday.

"I decided to audition this year because I wanted to be old enough to where, if I made it to Hollywood and my parents couldn't go, I would be mature enough to handle it on my own," said Minor. "I had thought about it years before, but I just didn't think I was old enough to handle it all.

"So after much encouragement, I went for it this year — and I'm going to Hollywood!"

Her mother accompanied her to the auditions in Charleston, S.C., where Minor was among the 8,000 who waited in line for a chance to sing in front of the "Idol" judges: peppy pop singer Paula Abdul, encouraging rocker Randy Jackson and sometimes surly and always brutally honest Brit Simon Cowell.

"I was incredibly nervous because of the thousands of people, however when it came to actually going into the room and singing, I let go of my nerves," Minor said. "I sang 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.'

"Simon, Paula and Randy were very nice and extremely positive," she said. "I received two 'OKs' and one 'no,' from Simon, obviously. Simon didn't not like me, he just didn't like my song choice. He said he was disappointed and thought I'd be more 'popish.'"

But two yes votes were all Minor needed to receive a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Unfortunately, Minor's audition was not one of the clips from Charleston that appeared on an earlier show. Minor and her Delta Zeta sisters gathered at the sorority house for a viewing party when that program aired.

"I can't answer anything about Hollywood, as far as when I'll be there, but my professors have been very supportive," said Minor, who sings with the Johnny Dollar Band at local venues.

North Carolinians have done well in previous "American Idol" competitions. Fantasia Barrino of High Point was crowned "American Idol" in season three. Other "Idol" participants from the Tar Heel State who gained exposure on the televised singing competition and now have recording contracts are Grammy-nominated rocker Chris Daughtry of McLeansville, country cutie Kellie Pickler of Albemarle, Broadway-bound Clay Aiken of Raleigh and country singer Bucky Covington of Rockingham.

Contact Jane Hudson at jhudson@coxnc.com.