Massachusetts Rocker Makes It To American Idol Hollywood Rounds

“You’re going to Hollywood!”

24-year-old Millville native Amanda Mograss got to hear the four words that millions of people only dream of hearing. She just punched her golden ticket to Hollywood after auditioning for season 22 of American Idol.

Mograss has come a long way since singing in talent shows and she shares the details on the emotional moment she learned she would be an official contestant for the world’s biggest singing competition.

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Get to Know Amanda Mograss

Since she was ten years old, Amanda Mograss loved to sing. Growing up in Millville, it was common to find her singing in talent shows, performing the national anthem at events, or joining the chorus at school.

When she was sixteen, she joined the School of Rock in Attleboro, a music school for all skill levels, ages, and musical aspirations. It’s where her love for Rock N’ Roll began to blossom.

“When I heard the song ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ for the first time, it blew my mind,” she said.

At 18, Mograss was the first student to graduate from the program, and it was only the beginning of her love affair with music.

Mograss Takes a Chance at Stardom

Mograss has made a name for herself on the local scene, performing in Blackstone Valley with her band Platinum Thrill. She’s also a beloved performer of the popular Polar Express.

But she was ready to take the next jump in her career by trying out for American Idol.

She had tried out for The Voice in the past and didn’t make it through the first round, but her experience with American Idol played out much differently.

Mograss Gets the Golden Ticket

Auditions were a long process.

“All auditions are over Zoom at first,” she shared. “There were four different times where I had to sing or communicate with a producer, I had to send over a few videos, and then I finally heard from the producer that they wanted to send me to LA to audition in person.”

Mograss flew across the country to sing in front of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, and the nerves were at an all-time high.

“It was the scariest moment of my life,” she recalled. “I felt a lot of power coming off of them, but to be honest, it wasn’t the judges that I was nervous around, it was the other contestants.”

Katy Perry dubbed her “Miss Mograss from Mass” and loved her energy.

“They recommended I go from an 11 to an 8,” laughed Mograss.

Although it was nerve-wracking, Mograss said the experience was the best experience of her life.

“It taught me a lot,” she said. “My favorite part of the whole experience was meeting other talented individuals, and feeling equal to such talented people. It has made me grow, it was definitely worth it.”

After receiving two yes’s and one “constructive no”, Mograss advances to the Hollywood Rounds, where she will continue her journey to become the next big thing.

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"I dropped to my knees in tears," said Mograss after she received her ticket. "I was probably the most emotional."

Mograss shared that the new season will bring a new type of Hollywood rounds, featured in a big arena for the first time as they perform in front of other contestants.

The Hollywood round of American Idol airs this Sunday at 8 pm on ABC. Keep an eye out for Miss Mograss from Mass!