On a steamy August day, Anna Mayr ’09 took her dream of becoming a star to New York City, where she would audition for “American Idol.” Along the way, she learned some of the behind-the-scenes secrets of the show.

“They already knew who they were looking for,” the outgoing White Marsh native said. “They wanted the ‘sexy’ American Idol, and they were weeding everyone else out.”

For two days, Anna stood in line behind 3,000 people. Ten thousand more packed the streets behind her. The rowdy crowd performed for each other, bought overpriced food and water, and stood in long lines to use the mere 30 porta-potties provided.

“When you get there and see thousands of talented people, it’s a little scary,” Mayr said. “I thought ‘If I make it, it’s a God thing.’”

Mayr’s chance finally came two days later, but she didn’t serenade Simon, Paula, and Randy. Carefully dressed in a lace top with a ribbon on the front, Mayr was shuffled into a huge room where she sang “Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton John for an “American Idol” producer.

“I was lucky. They don’t let everyone audition,” Mayr said. “Still, the producer cut me. He told me I had the Kelly Clarkson image of the girl next door and this year they want a different image.”

Mayr, who sang publicly for the first time at age 3 as a flower girl in a family wedding, wasn’t devastated. She has held several lead roles in musical theatre productions of “Grease,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Cinderella,” and performs frequently at weddings and church events.

When asked about a future in music, the Communication major smiled and replied in an uncharacteristically quiet voice, “Either that or broadcasting.”