Yellowknife (Feb 27/06) - Canadian Idol fans from across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut sang their hearts out at auditions held in the capital city last Thursday.

Allyssa Waser, 18, was the first performer to receive a blue ticket during Canadian Idol auditions in Yellowknife. The Inuvik singer will have to impress the celebrity judges to win a gold ticket to Toronto. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

"I really want to be on television," said 24-year-old Chris Larose from Yellowknife.

Contestants were competing for the ultimate prize of a blue ticket, ensuring their spot in front of the celebrity judges in Vancouver, B.C., this week.

Allyssa Waser, an 18-year-old from Inuvik, impressed the judges so much that she was given a blue ticket immediately after her performance.

"I'm ecstatic," she said.

Five more singers were informed they had made it to the next round later Thursday night, when judges called them with the good news at home.

In total, 107 singers auditioned. Yellowknife resident Becky Brotherston is one of the lucky six to go on.

"I didn't believe them when I got the call last night. It's crazy and unbelievable."

She said she will be practising for her Vancouver audition.

Others heading to B.C. today are Aaron Hernandez (a.k.a. The Godson), Morgan Moffitt and Sarah Von Hagen. (Note: Canadian Idol representatives chose not to release the names of the winners.)

Those auditioning on Thursday were given numbers and asked to wait with family and friends.

Contestants were then called individually to perform up to three songs for senior producers of the show.

This process is unusual from other stops on the Canadian Idol tour because they are only doing one pre-audition instead of two.

"We decided to skip the two auditions because there aren't as many people and we've got a good pace," said publicist Anne-Marie La Pointe.

She said this would have been impossible to do in Edmonton, where they had 1,548 people audition in two days.

The smaller number of people auditioning is one of the many reasons contestants were pleased the auditions were held in Yellowknife this year.

"It's easier to compete against 500 people than 1,500," said Mackenzie Pope of Hay River.

While singing talent is important, judges said they were looking for more than a person who could sing.

"We're looking for the whole package - the look, the voice and confidence," said Mary Sexton.

The look refers to a distinct personality, because idols come in all shapes and sizes, said Sexton.

A man who did not want his name published because he called in sick to audition was told he "had a great voice, but was too nervous to be the Canadian Idol."

The other two judges were Mark Lysakowski and Mike Picerton. Sexton said that judges were not there to be mean to people.

"It's not about rejecting people. We often give them pointers and ways to improve."

Sexton called the show a gentler Idol compared to its American counterpart. Most contenders who spoke to News/North agreed. "They said I had to learn to sing more from my diaphragm, but they were really nice about it," said Norah McNaughton from Yellowknife.

Some were still unhappy with the results and rushed out the doors without a backward glance.

Canadian Idol host Ben Mulroney said he was glad to come to Yellowknife because of enthusiasm and spirit.

"We haven't seen this level of excitement in a lot of the places we've visited before."

The crew and senior producers were treated to a tour of the city and several Northern activities such as ice fishing and dog sledding.