Lynnzee

Lynnzee Fraye is no stranger to performing in front of large crowds. But being in front of three bona fide music stars had the singer’s nerves rattled.

When the 21-year-old Simi Valley resident walked into the “American Idol” audition room in San Francisco last October, she never imagined she’d be starstruck by Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban.

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“You walk into the audition room thinking you’ve seen this a thousand times before on TV, but when you actually walk in, it’s different,” Fraye told the Simi Valley Acorn. “When you’re standing in front of those judges, it’s not a dream anymore. It’s become real life.”

During the audition, Fraye performed Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” on the piano, giving the song a jazzy, acoustic touch. She ended up leaving the room with her golden ticket to Hollywood, where she would continue her journey to become the next “American Idol.”

From a young age, Fraye was involved in choir and performed both inside and outside the classroom. While at Santa Susana High School, she was the lead singer for rock band Right of Light until the group disbanded in May 2011. Before that, the group performed more than 85 gigs in two years and won eight Battle of the Bands competitions in Simi Valley and Hollywood.

After Right of Light’s breakup, Fraye became lead singer for the band March 4th with her brothers, triplets Mitchell, Garrett and Spencer. The pop/alternative rock group had 200 performances at venues including the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Whiskey A Go-Go and The Roxy.

“When you’re in a band, you feed off the crowd and the others on stage, but on ‘Idol,’ you go out on stage knowing the judges are there to critique you, and it tugs on your confidence,” the singer said.

Hollywood Week


Fraye was one of more than 150 hopefuls who went to Hollywood Week in November, where the judges were responsible for choosing the show’s Top 24 contestants.

“It’s a whole lot of crazy packed into seven days, and you’re going through so many raw emotions because you’re so tired. I mean, I only had six hours of sleep that whole week,” she said. “But it was a phenomenal experience.”

Fraye said the best part of the “American Idol” whirlwind was meeting so many amazing people and forming friendships, despite being tired to the point of delirium.

“Singing on a lack of sleep was definitely the hardest thing because we had to learn songs— some we’d never even heard before—learn the lyrics and perform five hours later,” Fraye said.

One of her favorite memories from that week occurred during a group round.

“We were practicing in a bathroom stall because of the acoustics and one of the girls’ foot almost went into the toilet and we were just laughing uncontrollably,” she said. “We would just crack up for no reason, but that’s what made the whole thing so great.”

Unfortunately for Fraye, she didn’t make the Top 24.

“Being on the show was one of the most unhealthy things I’ve ever done in my life, but it was also humbling and I wouldn’t change it for anything,” she said.

A promise fulfilled

Fraye’s decision to try out for “American Idol” stemmed from a promise she’d made to her friend Jake Lucas, who died in 2007 at the age of 13 in a dirtbike accident.

“When I was 12 years old, Jake always told me I should try out for the show . . . but when he passed away it was really hard on me,” she said. “I promised him I would try out, and since it was the last season, I knew I had to go for it so I could fulfill that promise.”

Although it stung when she wasn’t chosen to be in the Top 24, Fraye said, she saw it coming because of the other talented singers in her midst.

“I enjoy doing my own music rather than covers, so I never felt like I fit in, but I would’ve gone all the way,” she said.

For now, Fraye said, she plans to continue making music because it’s through her songs that she relates to most people.

She is filming a music video for one of her songs and is continuing to write new music. - Simi Valley Acorn