Three of the four music idols Stevens Point Area Senior High student Sami Giese listed are famous because of TV talent searches like "American Idol" and "Nashville Star."

The 17-year-old country singer said she looks up to "Idol" winner Carrie Underwood and contestant Kellie Pickler and "Star" finalist Miranda Lambert.

But it's not enough for Giese to just sing their songs at local karaoke contests.

Giese wants to be a star just like them.

She's one step closer after her recent audition in Chicago for NBC's "America's Got Talent," which showcases an array of performers, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists and more. All are vying for the chance to perform in front of celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan, and win $1 million.

Giese won't know if she's been selected to perform for a live audience until early 2010, but she said the experience of performing in front of the producers was a thrill.

She went in the audition room with a group of about five other people and sang 90 seconds of Underwood's "Last Name."

"Once I hit my high notes, all their faces got very surprised. After I got done, they were shaking their heads, nodding. They were like 'Very good,'" Giese said. "Hopefully, that means something."

She said if she makes it to the live auditions, she'll be ecstatic, but just to audition means a lot.

Giese has been singing since she was 4 and competing at local competitions for three years, her mother, Deb, 47, of Stevens Point, said.

Last year, she won the Corn on the Curb karaoke contest in Stevens Point, and she placed second the year before.

"Sami is a very unique person. Pretty much what you see with Sami is what you get," her mother said. "All of her singing and performing is done right from the heart. The microphone goes in hand, and she just goes into her thing."

Sami said being on stage is relaxing.

"I jump around, and I yell to the crowd. I'm up there dancing," she said.

She said next year when she takes her general education classes at Mid-State Technical College in Stevens Point, she will sing on the side, working to become a certified nurse's aide. But her dream of being in a recording studio won't go anywhere.

"Hopefully, (singing) will be my main thing sooner or later."