Latest Updates and Videos of Shelby!
17 year old, Shelby Tweten from North Mankato, Minnesota auditioned for ‘American Idol’ in Denver, Colorado. Shelby and several of the contestants from Denver were invited to travel and stay in Aspen, Colorado for the round of auditions that were recorded for television.
Shelby was also chosen to have a back-story about her life to be presented during the airing of the auditions on January 25th.
In this video package, Shelby and her mom share a little bit about Shelby’s challenging journey. Just last year, Shelby was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, she says she has battled depression since the fourth grade.
Shelby said,
“American Idol’ has given me a reason to stay on my meds.” Shelby continued, “I wasn’t focusing on staying with them, cuz I really didn’t care. When I’m off my meds, I’m incoherent and I’m not myself.” Her mom added, “She doesn’t have the light in her.”
Shelby opened up with,
“There’s been times when I’ve had hypo-manic episodes. I’ll be shaking, I will stutter, I can’t control my body and my mom will be like, ‘Well, let’s sing together!’ And I’ll sing and it really helps!”
After Shelby’s audition, all three judges, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler agreed to send her to Hollywood for the next rounds!
UPDATE 2/23/12 – See more news on the Top 24! Click here: ‘American Idol’ Contestant, Heejun Han Loves Working with Special Needs Children
UPDATE 2/23/2012 – Shelby did not make it into the Top 24. We are sad to see you go home, Shelby! But we are proud of you! Keep singing and go back next year!
The Top 24 going into the Semi-Finals are Aaron Marcellus, Adam Brock, Baylie Brown, Brielle Von Hugel, Case Likens, Chelsea Sorrell, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Franckewitz, Elise Teston, Erika Van Pelt, Haley Johnsen, Hallie Day, Heejun Han, Hollie Cavanagh, Jen Hirsh, Jeremy Rosado, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm, Shannon Magrane, Skylar Laine.
On Tuesday February 28th, they will be announcing a Surprise Save, as they add another boy into the Semi-Finals who was previously sent home.
UPDATE 2/16/12 – Shelby moved on to the next rounds as the contestants went from 70 to 42.
UPDATE 2/15/12 – Shelby survives Hollywood week and moved on to Las Vegas!
UPDATE 2/15/12 – Shelby made it through group rounds!
97 other contestants joined her, including Jennifer Malsh, Cari Quoyeser, Reed Grimm, Nick Boddingtom, Creighton Fraker, Aaron Marcellus, Jen Hirsh, Shannon Magrane, Joshua Ledet, Brielle Von Hugel, Amber Holcomb, Mathenee Treco, Ariel Sprague, Eben Franckewitz, David Leathers, Jr., Jeremy Rosado, Gabi Carrubba, Johnny Keyser, Heejun Han, Jairon Jackson, Richie Law, Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon, Adam Brock, Skylar Laine and many more.
ARTICLE RESOURCES:
‘American Idol’ Official Website
Photo Courtesy of Shelby Tweten Facebook Page
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Bipolar Disorder Does Not Define Shelby Tweten on ‘American Idol.’ Video from MTV.com
Shelby Tweten – “Temporary Home” – Idol2012TV
ADDITIONAL STORIES on IDA:
Shelby Tweten, Teen with Bipolar on ‘American Idol.’
Living with Asperger’s and Tourette’s: James Durbin Contestant on ‘American Idol.’