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'American Idol' Zoom Auditions Come To NJ — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates 'American Idol' Zoom Auditions Come To NJ — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates
'American Idol' Zoom Auditions Come To NJ — As Long As You Were Born Between These Dates Are you the next "American Idol?" The popular ABC singing competition is holding virtual auditions for the upcoming season this month and next. As long as you are of a certain age (scroll down for audition dates). According to the "American Idol" casting application website, contestants must be born between June 2, 1995 and Feb. 15, 2010.  Additionally, contestants must be legal U.S. residents authorized to participate in the entire competition. Auditions for residents in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania via Zoom will be Wednesday, Aug. 21.  Virginia re…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Gwen Stefani Thinks 21-Year-Old NJ Singer Who Won 'The Voice' Battle Has Star Quality Gwen Stefani Thinks 21-Year-Old NJ Singer Who Won 'The Voice' Battle Has Star Quality
Gwen Stefani Thinks 21-Year-Old NJ Singer Who Won 'The Voice' Battle Has Star Quality A 21-year-old New Jersey native is impressing judges on NBC's "The Voice." Mara Justine, who hails from Galloway, won a singing battle as she harmonized with Claudia B., 25, in their rendition of "Son of a Preacher Man" on the Tuesday, Oct. 31 episode. Reba McEntire was the only judge who preferred Claudia's performance, but was impressed by both singers' talent given their ages. Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, and John Legend — who coaches both women — all agreed the Mara ultimately won that battle. Niall and Gwen both called it "flawless," and Gwen noted Mara's star quality. Claudia B.…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
NJ's Wé Ani One Step Closer To Becoming Next 'American Idol' NJ's Wé Ani One Step Closer To Becoming Next 'American Idol'
NJ's Wé Ani One Step Closer To Becoming Next 'American Idol' Wé Ani is singing her way to the top. The New Jersey native secured a spot in the Top 24 during the Sunday, April 9 episode of "American Idol." Ani, of Paterson, performed her rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Ain’t No Way." "I've always thought trying to cut good singers is difficult," Lionel Richie tells the 24-year-old vocalist. "Trying to cut a great singer, that's impossible. You are a great singer." That's when Richie broke the news: Ani is heading to the Top 24. Ani previously made it to the top three on Season 11 of "The Voice," and got a standing ovation from all three "American I…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
NJ 'American Idol' Contestant Sounds Like Two Different People NJ 'American Idol' Contestant Sounds Like Two Different People
NJ 'American Idol' Contestant Sounds Like Two Different People We Ani's speaking voice may be high and squeaky, but her singing voice is nothing short of deep and soulful.  The New Jersey native who once turned chairs on "The Voice" auditioned on Sunday night's episode of "American Idol," where judges questioned her on the science of her voice. Ani, of Paterson said she doesn't understand the contrast between her speaking and singing voices. All she knows is that she's got talent. The 23-year-old vocalist, who made it to the top three on Season 11 of "The Voice" as We McDonald, sang "Anyone" by Demi Lovato on Idol. She got a standing ovation from all…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
'Missing' Hackensack Woman Apparently OK, Authorities Say 'Missing' Hackensack Woman Apparently OK, Authorities Say
'Missing' Hackensack Woman Apparently OK, Authorities Say UPDATE: A Hackensack woman who'd been reported missing apparently is safe and not in any apparent danger, but police want to confirm her well-being in person. Heather Li Torres spoke with law enforcement Wednesday night after seeing Facebook posts about her disappearance. "She said she is OK," a ranking officer told Daily Voice. "There's no reason to believe she's in any danger. A family member also advised (authorities) that she is OK." Torres must officially remain a missing person, however, until police physically confirm her situation, just to be sure. Torres, previously of Saddle Bro…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
'Puberty Really Hit': Young Singer's Voice Is Dead Ringer For Johnny Cash On 'American Idol' 'Puberty Really Hit': Young Singer's Voice Is Dead Ringer For Johnny Cash On 'American Idol'
'Puberty Really Hit': Young Singer's Voice Is Dead Ringer For Johnny Cash On 'American Idol' One day Luke Taylor was 4'11" singing alto. The next he was 6'1" belting below bass. The 20-year-old Pennsylvania native explained his dramatic voice drop on a recent "American Idol" audition, stunning judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan (scroll for video). Taylor, a West Chester resident and Liberty University sophomore," described his voice drop as a "dramatic" one to host Ryan Seacrest. "Puberty really hit," Perry exclaims before Taylor sings his rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." He then gave a last-minute performance of "Frosty the Snowman," at Bryan's request. Pe…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
NJ TikTokers Audition For 'American Idol' (VIDEO) NJ TikTokers Audition For 'American Idol' (VIDEO)
NJ TikTokers Audition For 'American Idol' (Video) A pair of young New Jersey natives left their first "American Idol" auditions with more than feedback from the judges. Camryn Champion, 16, of Lumberton, and Cole Hallman, 22, of Manasquan, have tickets to Hollywood. Hallman, accompanied by his sister with special needs, only recently started singing in the last five years. He performed "Lodi" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, before his sister, Katie, joined him to sing along. Champion received coaching during her rendition of "I Know I'm Not the Only One" by Sam Smith. Both Champion and Hallman showcase their vocals on TikTok. Watch the…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
NJ Singers Wow 'America's Got Talent' Judges (VIDEO) NJ Singers Wow 'America's Got Talent' Judges (VIDEO)
NJ Singers Wow 'America's Got Talent' Judges (Video) A pair of young New Jersey vocalists are wowing judges on "America's Got Talent." Montclair's Zac Taylor, 17, performed his rendition of “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar, while Savannah Robertson, 20, of Pleasantville, wowed with Olivia Rodrigo's "Driver's License." I don't want to be that i want to be savannah, i want to be my own person. Robertson told judges that while people tell her she reminds them of a "Little Beyonce," she wants to be her own person. She proceeded to belt out the popular Rodrigo song the July 20 episode, where judge Simon Cowell said she had "great taste." "She doesn…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
TRIBUTE: Kaydee Alexander Of Whippany, 21, Made Others Feel Included TRIBUTE: Kaydee Alexander Of Whippany, 21, Made Others Feel Included
Tribute: Kaydee Alexander Of Whippany, 21, Made Others Feel Included Of the dozens of tributes for that poured in, many had a common thread: Kaydee Alexander made others feel less alone. The Whippany mom died on Oct. 13. She was 21 years old. A Facebook page remembering Kaydee had amassed dozens of condolences and photos as of Wednesday morning. "When I moved to Whippany, not everyone was as accepting and as willing to share their friends with me as Kaydee was," Brianna Rios wrote.  "She always made sure I felt included and made sure that I knew that she would be there for me if I needed someone." Toni Moran remembered Kaydee similarly. "I remember …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Funeral Arrangements Set For Isabella Café Of Emerson, 17 Funeral Arrangements Set For Isabella Café Of Emerson, 17
Funeral Arrangements Set For Isabella Café Of Emerson, 17 A funeral Mass is scheduled Wednesday for a 17-year-old Emerson girl. Isabella Café, who was described as both a talented singer and pianist, died suddenly Thursday night. Visiting hours are from 2  to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road in Westwood, (201) 664-0292.The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of the Assumption, 29 Jefferson Ave. in Emerson. The oldest of three children, Isabella turned 17 on Oct. 3.  Those who knew the 11th-grader called her beautiful and talented. "She came from a wonderful…

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by Jerry DeMarco