UT student auditions for ‘American Idol’

UT sophomore communication major Joe Repka had a chance to show the world his talents on this year's ‘American Idol' in an episode that aired Jan. 26.

Repka remembers the audition before the three judges as one his most nervous moments, but Ryan Seacrest and many of the millions of viewers would beg to differ. Seacrest called Repka "one of the most excited men to ever audition" on American Idol.

Disguising his anxiety, Repka managed to show his enthusiasm before his audition by giving high-fives to all the others in hopes of becoming a contestant to become America's next Idol winner.

Repka's story becomes more interesting: he started his audition by giving the judges a sample of his best radio voice and they all found it to be very amusing.

The Swanson, Ohio native is interested in pursuing a career in broadcasting, planning to one day be a radio personality or disc jockey.

When Repka finished singing his rendition of Billy Joel's "For The Longest Time," they all agreed that he should stick to his day job - all three judges returned with "No‘s."

Yet the judges seemed to be complimenting him on what a great radio voice he had in terms of denying his pass to Hollywood.

Steven Tyler told Repka he liked his radio voice better than his singing one.

But Repka didn't stop there. He decided that he couldn't take no for an answer: he decided that he'd give it another shot, and sang another song.

Unfortunately the judges didn't approve of his rendition of Elvis Presely's "Can't Help Falling in Love" either.

Though Repka did not get accepted to go to Hollywood, he said, a lot of people think of him as a hero.

"It's incredible how being a loser on ‘Idol' could turn you into a winner in so many peoples' eyes," Repka said.

He finds it amazing that people on UT's campus will approach him to ask for autographs and pictures; this experience alone could have sent the average Joe's ego over the edge.

But for Repka it seems to boost his confidence, which could result in his tenacity for a career in radio.

He walked out of the audition with his head held high and assuring the world that he would try auditioning for American Idol again.

Repka also believes that the criticism from the judges was useful to him and the least bit negative.

Repka said his performance on Idol was not him singing at his best.

"I believe it was fair at the time. I think I'm a decent singer, but that time in Milwaukee definitely wasn't my best and my radio voice was definitely better," Repka said. "I will pursue the communications degree first then, sometime after college, pursue the singing dream."

‘Idol' was not Repka's first brush with television.

Last spring, he was a contestant on the UT-based reality show "The FRESHMAN 15" and currently plays an ensemble role in "West Bancroft Side Story."

The aspiring country radio personality continues to study communication here at UT and works to set up internships for Toledo radio stations.