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Labored American Idol audition
Aug 9, 2007, 13:00 GMT
Twelve year-old Pearl Clarkin (L) and thirteen year-old Jacky Berhnard perform during a class at Idol Camp in Northfield, Massachusetts July 13, 2007. Idol Camp, which is inspired by the television program \'American Idol,\' is a ten-day performing arts camp for 12 to 15 year old kids. Picture taken July 13, 2007. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
An 'American Idol' contestant who went into labour during her audition insisted on finishing her song.
Antoria Gillon from Dallas went into labour two days before the baby was due, during her try-out for the hit US TV talent show at the Texas Stadium on Monday (06.08.07).
Antoria - who has been queuing for 16 hours since 2.30am - told USA Today newspaper: "I felt something and I knew right away what it was. I was singing, and the judge stopped and asked if I was OK, and I said, 'I just want to finish my song.'
"I started singing and I was still having contractions, and my right hand was kind of shaking, and my left hand was on my stomach. I was still singing and having contractions the whole time."
An ambulance was called and the Idol hopeful was urged to go to hospital but she insisted on finishing her audition and waiting until she knew if she had got through to the next round.
The 20-year-old mother said: "They was like, 'OK, let's go to the hospital.' And I was like, 'I'm not through singing yet.' And they was like, 'OK, let her sing.' So I sung and I sat back down, and they said, 'OK, you can go to the hospital.' And I said, 'Well, I haven't gotten my golden ticket yet'.
"They go by character and motivation, and I think I showed more than enough motivation."
Antoria, who sang hip-hop trio 702's 'Get It Together', made it through to the next round and is determined to impress judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
The aspiring singer gave birth to a healthy baby boy - her second child - on Tuesday morning (07.08.07) and has named him Jamil Labarron Idol McCowan.
She said: "I just felt like it was more than appropriate."
(C) BANG Media International
