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Heartland Idol Contestents Belt It Out

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Christopher Allen of Sebring sang "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John Thursday night at Heartland Idol.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: October 20, 2007

Heartland Idol Oct. 18 Photo Gallery

SEBRING — Thursday evening's Heartland Idol competition was a chance for 16 local performers to wear goofy hats, sport huge shades, or to wear it short and tight and dance up a storm.

The music – and especially the dress – of Madonna and Elton John took center stage at the Downtown Circle as four contestants were eliminated from a pool of 16.

It was at least the third time that each singer had performed for ever-increasing audiences, emcee Don Elwell pegged Thursday's crowd at 400.

As part of a regular refrain, Elwell told performers to "leave nothing on the stage" and none did.

"Give it all," said Elwell. "Blow it completely out of the water."

Elwell also asked for more audience participation and asked the rowdy crowd to "boo and hiss if you disagree" with a judge's opinion. Organizers have often marketed a judge new this year, Larry Moore, as the next "Simon Cowell of American Idol."

Several judges prefaced their remarks by saying that they didn't mind the negative feedback, but were treated like politicians spewing unobtainable campaign promises.

Still the singers glittered under the glare of the spotlights, and the crowd applauded and cheered each fine performance.

The successful singers progressed to the last semi final round set for Thursday Nov. 1, which will likely feature several sequined and jumpsuited performers during an evening of Elvis Presley music.

Leslie Bass, 26, of Sebring was the People's Choice winner with a perfect version of the Madonna video and song, "Vogue."

Some of Madonna's "finer" movements were dropped from the act by Bass for what she said was an effort be "respectful" and perform for a family audience.

Dressed in black, with platinum blonde hair, a breathless Bass said following her performance that she dreamed of capturing the $2,000 first prize.

"Once I get up there, I don't realize until afterwards what I've done," she said.

With a due date set for Dec. 20, a visibly pregnant Shannon Marrero, 30, of Lorida danced and sang her way into the audience's hearts with the Madonna classic, "Papa Don't Preach."

Marrero said she didn't want to seem "cheesy" and hesitated before singing about her impending motherhood, but changed her mind after realizing that her pregnancy was the "perfect prop."

Women outnumbered men, Elton John music was the favored choice, but dancers who chose Madonna music scored huge with judges.

The 12 contestants who will perform Elvis music on Thursday Nov. 1, at 6 p.m., on the Circle are: Kimberly Varis, Tina Smothers, Annie Sederback, Amy Roposa, Julia Newell, Amy McCoy, Shannon Marrero, Shawn Knowles, Jessica Herrera, Leslie Bass, Christopher Allen and Carrie Atkins.

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