Elk Grove Village native Taylor Matos is ready for Round 2of ABC 7's Windy City Live "Search for a Star"

Taylor Matos and her mother Desiree Matos stood in a long line on January 12th for around 5 hours to compete for a chance at making it to the Dare To DReam Windy City Live Search For A Star. Taylor received 3 yeses from the judges after they heard her sing 60 seconds of Mary J Blige I'm Going Down acapella. The competition was narrowed down to around 200 contestants after the first audition.

Taylor and her mother then went on the the 2nd part of the audition process which was on January 19th where they again waited about 3 hours to see the judges. This time no feedback was given. She sang acapella This is a Mans World.

They then waited to hear if she made top 65. She did!!! Taylor and her dad Mark Matos went to a taping of Windy City Live where they unveiled the top 12. Not only did Taylor make it at only 14 years of age she is the only minor to make the top 12. The top 12 finalist got to sit down with KImberly Locke (American Idol alum Season 2 top 3) for a talk about the business and also got a vocal lesson with her. On February the 5th 14 year old Taylor got to perform against 26 year old Michael Lynch of Wheaton on Windy City Live. The judges were blown away at her rendition of This is A Mans world by James Brown. They went on to say she is a old soul, she is packing a punch and they could not believe that came out of her little body and also the hairs on their neck were standing up and she gave them chill bumps. On February 6th they announced live on the air that Taylor won.

Taylor will now go on to compete against 45 year old Suzie Carpenter on Valentines Day February 14th at 9 a.m. on channel 7 Windy City Live.

Taylor will be performing on Windy City Live Search for a Star on Channel 7 this Valentine's Day at 9am and voting starts at 10am and ends at 6am. You can vote for Taylor Matos at Windy City Live Facebook (www.facebook.com/WindyCityLive)