DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Segundo strolls the campus while taping promotional spots for KHON in conjunction with his appearance on "American Idol."

A spot on "American Idol"
has made Farrington High senior
Jordan Segundo a local superstar

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By John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

D-Day. The Moment of Truth. Whatever you call it, that's what tomorrow night will be for Jordan Segundo, Hawaii's representative on the second season of "American Idol."
The 18-year-old Farrington High School senior is one of the 32 "Idol" hopefuls, survivors of an estimated 70,000 who auditioned and made the cut to perform for judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and the dreaded Simon Cowell.

'American Idol' Featuring: Hawaii's Jordan Segundo, one of 32 semifinalists trying to make it into the Top 10 On TV: 7 p.m. tomorrow on KHON/Fox

Two groups of eight contestants have already had their moment on the show, with the top two from each group moving on to become Top 10 finalists. All going well, Segundo will be one of the top two tomorrow night, but he's already put Hawaii on the scoreboard in the sense that there were no state-by-state competitions, so some states aren't represented at all.

"I can't believe it's actually happening to me. I sat here during the summer watching the show, and (now) I'm on it representing Hawaii," Segundo said Feb. 9 while autographing flyers and other mementos at his 18th-birthday party.

The Segundo ohana was out in force in Ala Moana Park that afternoon -- Jordan's proud mother, Jody Segundo; several of his musically talented Anguay relatives (yes, the Anguay girls of Castle High School musical theater fame are cousins); family friends like Stephani Cachola and Quenna Keohokapu; and teenage supporters like the young woman who asked that he sign her flyer "To the hottie." There was a tent, banners and a camera team for KHON-Fox 2 to cover the action.

"I just went up there (to California) to have fun, go day by day and give it my best," he said of his expectations when he started the arduous audition process.

"I thought I'd have a good chance at it, but I never thought about making it on (to the show)," he said. "When I did, I was totally shocked. There were so many more talented people out there, and a lot of them were auditioning for 'American Idol,' and to be one of the top 32 was just an honor for me. I was really proud of that."

He added: "I've been working (on my singing) ever since I was a little boy, and to actually have it pay off is really good, especially for my mom and my family. It's really good for them, too. I'm really happy that they can enjoy this with me."

DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Students from Tim DeMello's psychology class, right, gather in front of Farrington High School to cheer for classmate Jordan Segundo.

AT 18, SEGUNDO is one of the younger finalists. His competition tomorrow night will be Samantha Cohen, 20, from Boulder, Colo.; Equoia Coleman, 22, Memphis, Tenn.; Louis Gazzara, 17, Folsom, N.J.; Kimberly Kelsey, 18, Macon, Ga.; Vanessa Olivarez, 21, Atlanta; Rickey Smith, 23, Keene, Texas; and George Trice, 21, Henderson, Tenn.

Segundo and his ohana are hoping Hawaii will rally behind him when the show airs on KHON-Fox 2 tomorrow because his fate doesn't rest entirely with the judges. Toll-free telephone lines will open immediately after the broadcast, and phone-in public votes will count along with the decisions of the three judges in determining who the two weekly winners will be. Viewers with AT&T Wireless phones will also be able to vote by sending a text message to the abbreviated number. (Abbreviated numbers, also called "short codes," will be displayed on the air alongside the call-in number after each performance.) The winners will be announced Wednesday.

Even if Segundo isn't one of the two winners tomorrow, he'll still have a shot at the title. Five of the judges' favorite semifinalists who don't make the Top 10 will be allowed to try again for a "wild card" spot on March 5, and the home audience will again be able to vote by phone to select a ninth Top 10 contestant. The judges will pick the last Top 10 contestant, and another round of competition will begin.

AMONG THOSE certain to be watching the show tomorrow are two other Hawaii guys who almost made it to final round. Reno Kaleokalani David and Lee Dominguez were among the 234 hopefuls from whom the 32 semifinalists were chosen.

Just making it that far was a tremendous experience, David said after being informed that he would not be continuing. He had flown up to Los Angeles prepared to sleep on the street if necessary, and did indeed "camp out" while waiting in line with other "Idol" hopefuls in order to make one of the initial cattle-call auditions.

David is rooting for Segundo now but plans to use the hard-won experience he acquired in surviving several rounds of pre-final competitions to further his career as a singer and actor.

Segundo, who won't know his fate on "Idol" for at least two more weeks, shares David's long-term outlook. He's been competing in local talent contests for years, and no matter what happens on "Idol," music will continue to be a part of his life.

As for any other would-be singing stars who may be watching tomorrow, his advice is to "go for it."

"Follow your dreams. You can always come back home to your family in Hawaii, but go to the mainland, experience, see different cultures, meet different people. From there you can learn a lot."

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM Segundo's mother, Jody, right, and uncle Richard Anguay watch as he autographs a poster at Jordan's 18th-birthday party at Ala Moana Park.

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