Idol hopefuls belt out tunes inside Eastwood Mall

NILES — The Valley has its own wealth of singing sensations, but only one can claim Idol victory this year.

Tryouts for season eight of the FOX hit TV show “American Idol” were held for singers between ages 16 and 28 Thursday, and hundreds came to take part.

More than 100 of those people waited in the mall’s central courtyard ready to sing their way to Hollywood.

The auditions would provide one singer with $250 and a guaranteed audition in front of Idol producers in New Jersey.

“I’m going to make it,” said Cyganna Raimey, 18, of Warren, waiting to take the stage.

Raimey said she was excited that after years of wanting to try out, she would finally be able to show her talent to the judges.

“And if I don’t make it,” she said, “then I’ll still walk off stage proudly.”

Read more in Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com