18-year-old from De Pere could appear on Idol this season



DE PERE (WITI) -- A local 18-year-old could soon make it big in Hollywood. Jack Janowicz of De Pere may be appearing on the upcoming season of American Idol!

Friends of Janowicz know he loves to sing, but they may not know he's been fulfilling a life-long dream.

"It's been really hard to keep it a secret!" Janowicz said.

Janowicz sent in a video audition for American Idol last May, and then found out he was selected to audition in Omaha.

"I sang a thousand miles by Vanessa Carlton," Janowicz said.

He sang two auditions for producers in August, and then sang for the famous Idol judges in October.

"They're kind of like talking amongst themselves, and I kind of felt like I had to get their attention so I was like, 'Hi,' and then J-Lo just started talking to me about my singing experience," Janowicz said.

Janowicz told the judges he sang the Star Spangled Banner at Packers Family Night when he was 13-years-old.

Janowicz also attributes his success to the Green Bay arts community.

He's appeared in several Let Me Be Frank productions led by Frank Hermans.

"The key is not giving up, and that's one thing Jack has, is a lot of self-motivation. It's not that he's just good, it's that he pushes himself," Hermans said.

Janowicz says he has wanted to try out for Idol since he saw Kelly Clarkson win the first season back in 2002.

He says he auditioned for the show when he was 15-years-old, but didn't advance.

Maria Janowicz says it was tough to keep her son's success a secret.

"To most people, it was like, 'oh he's in L.A. at school.' We just kind of had to ride that wave," Janowicz said.

And still unknown -- does Janowicz advance to Hollywood?

"I just can't tell people how far I made it. They just have to watch the show and see what happens," Janowicz said.

There's no word yet on when the episode with the Omaha auditions will air. And, Janowicz doesn't even know if he will 'make the cut' to be on any of the episodes.

The 13th season of American Idol begins Wednesday, January 15th.