By David Fleet
Editor
Atlas Twp.-It’s over.
After wowing celebrity judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan in prime time on ABC “American Idol” township resident Genavieve Linkowski bid to make the top 50 contestants fell short on Sunday night.
“It was such a good experience overall,” said Linkowski, 19. “I was in the top 77 (contestants), I had a great time.”

Linkowski earned the American Idol Gold Ticket to Hollywood on March 19 following a stellar performance of “I Won’t Give Up,” by Jason Mraz on primetime ABC. The Hollywood week competition which aired April 1 included a solo and group auditions before the celebrity judges.
“I was hanging out with Katy Perry’s dad,” laughed Linkowski. “I was feeling really excited. I got on stage and I said, ‘I was going to sing “Praying,” by Kesha. Then Katy Perry said under her breath, ‘good song choice.’ Song choice is huge. “Praying” is not a happy song it’s a sad song. It’s a passionate song. I wanted to connect with the audience. Vocally it was an excellent performance. I could have done better on the stage performance side. I felt like I was going home.”
Linkowski’s road to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn., and the American Idol celebrity judging round has been ongoing for the past five years.
However, a chance video that went viral of her performing at a local thrift store thrust her to the American Idol stage.
“I know this is what I’m suppose to do with my life,” she said. “God has told me to sing, so that’s what I am doing.”