You're Going to Hollywood! Student Chandler Leighton Wins Golden Ticket on American Idol

GOLDEN GATE XPRESS -- With butterflies in her stomach and a black guitar in tow, an SF State audio production student swooned the American Idol judges with a sweet melody. Chandler Leighton, 19, earned her ticket to Hollywood in the San Francisco round of auditions, which aired nationally January 28. What audiences might not have seen behind the singer’s calm smile and soft voice was the nervousness that rumbled within her. Years of performing on and off the stage helped Leighton make it through to the Hollywood round of the competition. She participated in musicals in elementary school, often landing the lead roles, and continued her interest in singing by joining choir in the sixth grade.