Owensboro Teen Returns To School After Competing On 'American Idol'
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: February 27, 2013
An Owensboro Catholic student is welcomed back to school with a big surprise from her fellow classmates. Jenny Beth Willis recently returned to Western Kentucky after she sang her way into American Idol's top 40 contestants.
She was eliminated from the show last week -- so her classmates welcomed her back in a surprise morning assembly. It was the young star's first time returning to school in two months. It was an emotional loss, but Jenny Beth says she's not discouraged after being eliminated. She plans to audition for American Idol again this year.
"It was just so surreal to have the golden ticket in my hand cause I've been watching the show ever since I was little," she says. "If I don't go I think I would regret not going -- but yeah, I definitely want to do it again."
Jenny Beth's mother, Mary Beth, was at her daughter's side throughout the entire experience. Jenny Beth had to have a parent with her at all times during the competition because she is a minor.
"I've never been through anything like that in my life and, you know, it's your child. And you want them to do their best and I knew she'd be devastated if she made a mistake so I had everybody and their brother praying for her," says Mary Beth. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Mary Beth acknowledged last week's elimination was a hard, tear-filled loss for her and her daughter. "I told her she was my American Idol and I loved her and I was proud of her," says Mary Beth. "She's a great kid, I'm lucky, I really am." Mary Beth says she would support Jenny Beth if she auditioned for American Idol again because it is a huge opportunity for her daughter.
As this chapter of Jenny Beth's musical career ends, a new one is beginning. In a few weeks she will record a demo in Nashville with Wade Hayes and Randy Lanham. Until then, it's back to school -- small step away from the national spotlight.
She was eliminated from the show last week -- so her classmates welcomed her back in a surprise morning assembly. It was the young star's first time returning to school in two months. It was an emotional loss, but Jenny Beth says she's not discouraged after being eliminated. She plans to audition for American Idol again this year.
"It was just so surreal to have the golden ticket in my hand cause I've been watching the show ever since I was little," she says. "If I don't go I think I would regret not going -- but yeah, I definitely want to do it again."
Jenny Beth's mother, Mary Beth, was at her daughter's side throughout the entire experience. Jenny Beth had to have a parent with her at all times during the competition because she is a minor.
"I've never been through anything like that in my life and, you know, it's your child. And you want them to do their best and I knew she'd be devastated if she made a mistake so I had everybody and their brother praying for her," says Mary Beth. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Mary Beth acknowledged last week's elimination was a hard, tear-filled loss for her and her daughter. "I told her she was my American Idol and I loved her and I was proud of her," says Mary Beth. "She's a great kid, I'm lucky, I really am." Mary Beth says she would support Jenny Beth if she auditioned for American Idol again because it is a huge opportunity for her daughter.
As this chapter of Jenny Beth's musical career ends, a new one is beginning. In a few weeks she will record a demo in Nashville with Wade Hayes and Randy Lanham. Until then, it's back to school -- small step away from the national spotlight.
