VCU news

By Brian McNeill

Joi Hamm, Virginia Commonwealth University student and a specialist in the U.S. Army, will audition for the second round of tryouts for "American Idol" on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Hamm, a junior psychology major and a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the Army, was the first "Idol" contestant during recent Richmond auditions to be selected to advance to the second round of auditions.

"I am taking this journey one day at a time," Hamm said. "It's something I want to take full advantage of. My dream is to make it big and come back to Richmond to show my love and support to all those who have been there for me along the way. I want to make VCU proud."

Hamm and her mother, Taliah Elder – a quality assurance inspector in VCU's contract administration office – have been raising funds to send Hamm to the auditions. Thanks to support from the VCU, Richmond and military communities, they have so far raised $1,000 to pay for Hamm's flight and hotel stay.

"Overall I have received a lot of support from Richmond," Hamm said. "Most of my donations came from people right at VCU along with many soldiers in the military, and for that I am very thankful."

On Monday, Hamm will sing in front of a panel of "American Idol" producers. If she advances past that stage, she will sing for the show's celebrity judges on Wednesday.

"To get ready for the audition I am practicing with my vocal coach along with going over my music to ensure that I sound as professional as possible," she said. "I am very nervous as the days lead up to the audition because I am not sure what will happen. Overall it is a good type of nervousness. I'm excited to embark on a new journey, meet some great people and give it my all."

Hamm declined to reveal what song she will sing before the judges, as the show wants to keep its process secret. "But I can tell you that my song is by the wonderful Alicia Keys," she said.

Hamm and her mother are currently trying to raise an additional $400 to fund Hamm's hotel stay through the celebrity judge panel audition phase. For more information, Elder can be reached at telder@vcu.edu.

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