Yellowknife (Apr 22/05) - The North of 60 Idol Junior competition turned into a parade of pre-teen girls Saturday night. There was one boy registered, but he didn't show.

And out of the three contestants registered in the 15 to 18 category, only one turned up.

Janine Mayordo, 10, performs "You're the One That I Want" from the musical Grease. "I don't believe what I just heard," said judge Morris Bishop afterwards, referring to Mayordo's energetic performance that mimicked Olivia Newton-John.

"Girls are a different breed," said Brenda Lowen, a former North of 60 Idol contestant whose daughter Mackenzie is competing in the junior version.

Lowen, who also hosts karaoke nights, said the lack of male performers didn't surprise her.

"You don't get a lot of boys unless they're really confident in their ability," she said. "Girls are much more willing to take a risk."

Younger girls in particular are fearless when it comes to expressing themselves, she said.

"It's just innocence," said Lowen. "They're not into that 'gotta-fit-in' thing yet."

Kerrissa MacLean had her own opinion as to why only girls showed up Saturday.

"Girls are stronger," MacLean said.

MacLean, now 12, was only 11 when she competed in the adult version of the karaoke contest last fall.

"It was scary," said the Ecole St. Joseph student of that contest. "This is better because all my friends are here."

Last time, liquor laws dictated she had to stay in the Legion's office when she wasn't onstage.

For the kids-only contest, the Legion applied for and got permission from the NWT Liquor board to allow minors into the clubroom, on the condition the bar remain closed during the event.

The judges - Pete Ardley and Morris Bishop - were finalists from last fall's North of 60 Idol contest.

Though the contestants were nearly uniformly preteen and female, there was no dearth of surprises in the evening's competition.

After a succession of country tunes from artists like the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain, 11-year-old Amy Dillman broke from the pack, pulling off the edgier "Fly" by Hilary Duff.

Judge Pete Ardley applauded her choice, saying ballads tend to be easier to sing than songs that rock.

Tiny Janine Mayordo, 10, took the stage stockstill and stony-faced. Then when the music started she launched into "You're the One that I Want" from Grease, complete with dance moves and hand gestures - like a pint sized Olivia Newton-John.

"If I wasn't here to see it myself, I wouldn't have believed it," said Ardley.

"Though I would suggest the lyrics of that song aren't suitable for a 10-year-old."

Mayordo, Dillman, Mackenzie Lowen, Chrissy Strand and Megan Laframboise moved onto the finals, scheduled for April 30.

Thirteen more singers - all female - are registered to compete tomorrow night for the remaining spots in the finals. Prizes include a $500 scholarship, watches, a backpack, a one-hour limo ride and a karaoke party.