Biography
In the 2007 season of American Idol, Haley Scarnato advanced as one of the final dozen female contestants by fearlessly interpreting ambitious material from major vocalists. Her opening semifinal performances featured "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," a signature Celine Dion track, and "Queen of the Night," long identified with Whitney Houston, both emblematic of modern pop's leading divas. Yet Scarnato projected none of that diva persona on the program, coming across instead as spunky and cheerful in the manner of Kelly Clarkson.
A San Antonio, TX native, she had already logged years of vocal work before her Idol audition. High-school choir participation led her to join a wedding band at age 15. At 24 she entered the competition, auditioning in the Texas rounds with Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me." Judge Paula Abdul supported her from the outset, guiding her progress into the Hollywood rounds. Scarnato reached the Top 24 semifinals and performed "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" in the first week, partly as a nod to her own idol, Celine Dion. Simon Cowell remarked afterward that she seemed like a "40-year-old," but she advanced anyway; the next week she sang "Queen of the Night" in an effort to refresh her image. The choice failed to sway Simon yet proved sufficient to carry her forward another week.
A San Antonio, TX native, she had already logged years of vocal work before her Idol audition. High-school choir participation led her to join a wedding band at age 15. At 24 she entered the competition, auditioning in the Texas rounds with Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me." Judge Paula Abdul supported her from the outset, guiding her progress into the Hollywood rounds. Scarnato reached the Top 24 semifinals and performed "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" in the first week, partly as a nod to her own idol, Celine Dion. Simon Cowell remarked afterward that she seemed like a "40-year-old," but she advanced anyway; the next week she sang "Queen of the Night" in an effort to refresh her image. The choice failed to sway Simon yet proved sufficient to carry her forward another week.