Aurora native joins Reinhart in 'Idol's' top 24

Despite getting mixed reviews for a couple of rocky performances, Aurora native Tatynisa Wilson made the “American Idol” top 24 Thursday night.

After auditioning for “Idol” five times, it's the first time Wilson has made it this far. She joins Wheeling's Haley Reinhart, who advanced to the top 24 Wednesday. Both have the chance to follow in the footsteps of reigning “American Idol” champion Lee DeWyze of Mount Prospect.

Wilson, who started singing when she was 4 years old, said she disappointed herself with her last Hollywood performance in which she got on stage and forgot the words to “I Hope You Dance.”

When judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler asked her about her spotty showings, Wilson said she loves and lives for the adrenaline rush she gets while performing on stage.

But “on this show, it's about not having a bad day,” Lopez said, and Wilson seemed to think she was finished, dissolving into tears. But then the judges gave her the good news.

Also advancing to the top 24 was Chicago resident Tiwan Strong. Oak Forest's Chris Medina was eliminated Wednesday, but don't feel too sorry for him. He released a single called “What Are Words” about his fiancee Ramos, which debuted after “Idol” Thursday night.

Watch for Reinhart and Wilson at 7 p.m. Wednesday when the top 12 girls take to the “Idol” stage. The top dozen guys are set to perform Tuesday with the finalists announced Thursday. There's no set number yet, but the rumor is the top 10 will be chosen by viewers, leaving each judge with a “wild card” pick and bringing the total to 13.

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