Halle Gilligan: Mt. Vernon Idol

Gambier has always been home to swimming champions, but it now claims its own singing champion: Halle Gilligan, the 16-year-old daughter of Kenyon College guidance consular Patrick Gilligan, outshined the rest of the 14 to 18 age division to win the title of Mt. Vernon Idol this August 11. The Collegian got a chance to interview our own blooming star and aspiring Kenyon student.

When did you first start singing?

From the time I could open my mouth, we did shows for the family, and I always got to be the main performer.

Do you have a favorite song?

Reba is my favorite right now. I love "Forever Love," and "I Think I'm Going to Take that Mountain" was what I sang for the win.

How did you choose the right song for the competition?

The crowd could get into it and it talks about female empowerment. I'm really into girl power (laughs). I like to choose songs that relate to people and really connect with the audience.

Do you ever write your own songs?

My dad and I write together. He was in a band called "The Grapes of Wrath" and we have a bunch of awards in the basement of these KFC-sponsored country music events. We're going to record a demo-it's kind of leaning towards country. This one song, "If You Wanna Be a Dancer" is all about choosing what you want to be. I like the connection with people the best out of all of it.

Who's your favorite actual American Idol?

I like Kelly or Carrie Underwood. My favorites are really the funny parts in the beginning though. That's when you get the William Hungs.

So is music your favorite subject in school?

Actually, it's psychology. I love it. I think it's more about finding your inner self and being able to get out of the high school world to something deeper.

Now that you've won Mt. Vernon Idol, is American Idol next?

Probably not. I want to be a country singer or live in the country-and I really want to be a family person. I'm a nanny and I've had these kids for 2 years and I almost feel like they're my own-I hope that doesn't sound weird! I definitely want to be family-oriented and if I do decide to go on I want to do it the hard way, doing demos and working my way up. It's not that I don't have respect for them-cause they put up with Simon. Anyone who has the guts to get up onstage demands respect.

But you seem so confident! Do you still get nervous before going onstage?

Mmmhmmm, I get the-what do you call them? -butterflies right before we get on. I think the cheerleading helped me to get in front of a crowd. It's so much easier to perform for the big crowds of people you don't know than small crowds of people you do. I couldn't do intermission in front of 20 people and there was a little over a thousand on idol and I didn't flinch. I'll sing in the shower, or in the car with my dad, but nowhere else really.

Who's your personal idol?

My psychology teacher. She told us the first day of school that you're born alone and you're going to die alone so you might as well love yourself. I think it's so true so any way you can find to build self-confidence I think is good.

Any words of advice for your fans?

I would someday love to say "GOOD NIGHT MT VERNON!" (laughs). I think I would say no matter what find some way to express yourself because it becomes so much easier once you start and you build so much more confidence in yourself.