Naperville teen misses final cut for 'American Idol'
Chicago Tribune
(Chicago, Illinois)
Trib Local - Naperville-Lisle edition
February 26, 2013
By Gary Gibula, Special to the Tribune
Alex Oechsel, 17, survived many elimination rounds but will not go on
Alex Oechsel, 17, recently competed on "American Idol," and made it to Hollywood before being cut.
Photo of Alex Oechsel a courtesy of the Chicago Tribune
(Chris Oechsel, Handout) - See more at: Trib
Alex performing as a member of the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe during a
high school conference of the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of
America) in Fairbury, Illinois on February 8, 2013.
(photo by Jeremy Reed of
Impact Life Photograhy)
Talented Naperville teenager Alex Oechsel loves to sing. She also acts, dances and plays guitar, but she mainly loves to sing.
Perhaps that's why, after surviving multiple elimination rounds but missing the final cut to appear on the "American Idol" reality television program, it was not the end of the world for her.
"Just the experience of actually being there and knowing that I made it that far, that was what counted for me," said Oechsel, 17. "It was very gratifying."
While on a family vacation at Walt Disney World, Oechsel decided on a whim to get up on stage and sing a song at the American Idol Experience. She won the daily competition with her version of "Reflection," a song from the animated film "Mulan."
That earned her one of the front spots in a line of 15,000 people who auditioned for "American Idol" at the United Center in July.
"For that one, I sang 'Anyway,' by Martina McBride," Oechsel said. "About 400 of us went on to the next round."
After sailing through two more elimination rounds with the show's producers and executive producer, Oechsel found herself performing in front of the four actual "American Idol" judges at regional auditions in September at the Adler Planetarium.
"When I auditioned for them, they gave me some good advice," said Oechsel. "Keith Urban said I had the 'it' factor. That comment had a strong impact on me."
"American Idol" then flew Oechsel and her mother to Hollywood for the next round.
"It was a new experience," Oechsel said. "I'd never been to California before, and it was unreal just being there. You've seen the Hollywood sign in movies, but being there in person was pretty cool."
For her final audition to make it to televised rounds, Oechsel sang Queen's "Somebody to Love."
"I thought I had a good performance and that it went well," said Oechsel.
But, unfortunately, she did not survive to the next round.
"For a lot of girls, it was kind of a devastating thing," Oechsel said. "For me, even though I didn't get past that round, it was a great experience the whole way."
Oechsel's father Chris said he was proud of his daughter's accomplishment.
"'American Idol' is a reality show, and it's entertainment," he said. "We're a fortunate family, and it seems like they love to focus on stories of sadness and hardship, or people who have had tragedy in their lives. Maybe that's what made Alex not quite so appealing to the 'American Idol' judges, but to us it makes her a terrific person."
Alex Oechsel benefits from being raised in a performance-oriented family. Her older sister is pursuing an acting career, and her father, older brother and younger sister have appeared in numerous local theater productions.
"The whole family is very talented," said Brian Wand, chair of the Fine Arts Department at Benet Academy in Lisle, where Alex is a junior. "They all participate in summer community theater."
Wand said he immediately recognized her talent when her voice was tested for choir.
"She's very humble about it," Wand said. "Alex loves to sing, and it shows. It comes very naturally to her, so what I do is more coaching than teaching."
Oechsel has been involved with community theater productions at North Central College for more than a decade.
"I've worked with her in numerous shows," said North Central College fine arts director Brian Lynch. "Alex is an incredible talent with a phenomenal voice, and there's a beautiful person who goes along with it. There's no ego there. She's just a nice person who enjoys performing."
Oechsel currently is in rehearsals for "The Sound of Music," which runs the second and third weekends of March at Benet. Lynch said he was looking forward to having Oechsel audition for North Central's summer musicals, "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Peter Pan."
But Oechsel said she wants to have a normal high school experience and not overextend herself with performing.
"I think for college I'm looking to do something with film production or music recording," said Oechsel, whose favorite subject is English. "Whether or not my career includes singing, I definitely will keep singing in my life. Just doing it will make me happy."
Wand said Oechsel has the ability to make a career of performing.
"If she chooses to go in that direction, she's got what it takes," he said. "She does it out of a joy of performing, not for a need to perform."
Chris Oechsel said he hoped his daughter understood the lesson from her experience with "American Idol."
"Just because you don't wind up pursuing a music career doesn't mean that you can't be successful and enjoy what you're doing," he said. "I think just getting up on a stage and putting yourself out there for criticism makes for a more confident individual. I think that makes benefits in many other areas."
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