Dualistic local makes debut on tonight's American Idol

Sharolyn Gabbitas knew a talented singer needed more than a good voice to impress American Idol judges. Wearing a half man and half woman costume she belted out a duet with herself -- "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," a cover of a Barbra Streisand/Neil Diamond tune.

Gabbitas, 28, decided to take her chances and go for the extreme to be one of the few aired on the largest talent show on television -- American Idol. The Provo resident realized the exposure on the show reaches millions and with that so could her voice.

"I never had a doubt that I wouldn't be grabbed up and taken and put on the show," she said. "It was all for fun."

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Gabbitas's debut will air tonight on American Idol's Las Vegas segment, but getting to this 20 seconds of fame took more than a costume. Gabbitas first auditioned in Denver, but didn't make the initial cut.

"I've been singing for a really long time," she said. "I recognize that there are some far better vocalists than myself."

After being rejected from the Denver auditions, Gabbitas had formed some theories about what types of talent American Idol chooses to televise. They let through a handful of people based on certain looks or their voice and another category for the gimmicks and bloopers section, she said.

"This is less of a reality show and talent competition than people think," she said.

Rather than just theorizing, Gabbitas put her thoughts into action.

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