The Laker/Lutz News

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Wesley Chapel native relishes second shot at ‘American Idol’

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Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio made his first brief appearance on ABC’s hit reality television show “American Idol” back in 2018.

Then he was a timid 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student who perhaps came away best known for his colorful sock collection, before being eliminated during the show’s “Hollywood Week” competition in Los Angeles.

Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio wowed ‘American Idol’ judges with his rendition of Billy Joel’s ‘New York State of Mind,’ during a March 21 episode to advance to the second round of ABC’s hit reality television series. The 20-year-old college student’s run ended shortly thereafter, during the duet challenge of the competition. (Courtesy of Gigi Stevens/Freemantle)

D’Onofrio’s second chance at stardom proved more fruitful.

Entering as a more seasoned and confident 20-year-old college sophomore studying at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, D’Onofrio aimed to advance farther in the competition and to have a more enjoyable experience overall.

Mission accomplished for D’Onofrio.

He made it to the second round of “Hollywood Week” thanks to his rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” as part of the show’s genre challenge.

He also had previously impressed celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie — in a live audition broadcast March 14 singing “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles solo, and “Falling” by Harry Styles with girlfriend and former “Idol” contestant Catie Turner.

However, D’Onofrio’s run ended in the show’s duets challenge on March 22, where showrunners paired him with Sloane Simon, a 16-year-old high school cheerleader from the Pittsburgh area.

Together, they belted out a cover of “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates.

Following the aired performance, Perry said of D’Onofrio: “Listen, I believe in you. You really have grown and overcome.”

In the same breath, however, the Grammy-nominated pop star said both D’Onofrio and his duet partner “need more experience” and “it’s not the time” for them to continue in the competition.

But, she later added this of D’Onofrio on the broadcast: “Next time he comes back, he’s going to show us — the underdog always wins, always.”

Despite a rejection witnessed by millions of viewers nationwide, D’Onofrio came away pleased to have achieved more compared to his first go-round, thanks in part to countless choir and voice lessons taken the past couple years.

He also left with several friendships forged with other talented contestants throughout his appearance on the show.

He traded in his unique socks for showy, colorful sweaters, too.

“My whole thing the second time was getting out of my shell, and I really did think I got out of my shell,” D’Onofrio told The Laker/Lutz News in a recent phone interview.

“I definitely felt better the second time. I just didn’t want to get cut earlier than I did the first time. I just wanted to make it farther, that was my main goal, and I did.”

D’Onofrio acknowledged that he felt more comfortable this time performing in front of the daunting star-studded cast of judges — who are among the world’s all-time best-selling artists in their respective genres. After all, it wasn’t the first time he performed for them.

“I definitely was more confident, because I was like, ‘Yeah, they know me, I’ve done this before,’ like it really wasn’t that bad,” said D’Onofrio, who grew up in the Seven Oaks neighborhood in Wesley Chapel.

“I just saw (the judges) as people this time, instead of figures, because they really do give advice, and talk to you heart-to-heart and it feels real, because some things on TV are sometimes fake, obviously, but when you’re actually there in person and you can connect person to person, it just feels really nice.”

D’Onofrio began singing around his junior year of high school, making his talent known at Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz, which was then owned by his family.

The budding singer-songwriter adeptly plays the piano, electric guitar and ukulele, and fancies himself an old soul at heart — with a passion for oldies and classics music dating to the 1940s era.

“It just feels right when I sing those types of songs,” said D’Onofrio, who lists Billy Joel among his favorites.

“That was kind of my goal with “American Idol,” to introduce the new generation of people that maybe aren’t familiar with that type of music…so it’s like taking older songs and just making them fun and new and that’s kind of my goal, just so people don’t dislike oldies.”

Newfound celebrity
While D’Onofrio said no music labels have reached out to him since his latest “Idol” appearance, he’s received offers to perform at some local piano and jazz bars in Tampa Bay.

His college also has been quite supportive of his career, hosting an “Idol” watch party and has “offered a lot of really cool opportunities,” such as on-campus performances.

He’s also acquired a certain level of fame — from getting verified on Instagram to having fans reach out to him on social media from Argentina, Brazil and Philippines, and other places.

Even former “Idol” contestant Clark Beckham, who finished runner-up on the show in 2015, reached out to him for words of encouragement.

Every once in a while, D’Onofrio is even recognized on campus, or about town.

But, people tend to be timid about approaching him.

“At school, I get so many stares,” he said, noting he realizes it’s because of his American Idol appearances.

He doesn’t say anything, because he thinks that would make them feel awkward.

“People want to say something but they never do, and I’m like, ‘I’m not scary, I swear, it’ll be OK.’”

Music is the motivation
D’Onofrio continues to make music from his college dorm room — which he’s transformed into a makeshift studio.

He also collaborates on projects with a friend through FaceTime calls.

He plans to release a single titled, “Don’t Leave,” in late April, which he describes as “a pop piano ballad.”

He’s also working to produce and release an EP album by summertime.

Now the lingering question: Could the third time be the charm for D’Onofrio, on “American Idol” or another reality television singing competition?

At the moment, D’Onofrio is focused on finding success as an independent artist and pursuing a degree in music management.

But he hasn’t closed the door on music competitions.

“I’m sure I’ll audition again just to see,” he said.

But he doesn’t know if that will be to “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent” or “The Voice.”

If he makes a return to “Idol,” he’d like to make it to at least round three.

While he’s exited the show this year, 19-year-old Alanis Sophia, of Dade City, remains active in the competition.

Published March 31, 2021

Local teen moves on to next round on ‘American Idol’

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Zach D’Onofrio has received a Golden Ticket, and his next national appearance on American Idol will be during Hollywood Week.

The 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student impressed judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie with “The Way You Look Tonight,” a Frank Sinatra song.

When he appeared before the celebrity judges in New York, the first thing he did was give each of them a pair of socks from his collection.

Katy Perry immediately put the socks on her hands.

Zach D’Onofrio said he didn’t feel too rattled while singing for celebrity judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Luke Bryan. His performance earned him a Golden Ticket, taking him to the next round of the competition in Hollywood. (Courtesy of ABC)

Then, when Zach began singing, Perry came down from her chair and began dancing with him. Meanwhile, Richie and Bryan danced, too.

The Wesley Chapel teen said the judges appeared to be surprised when he started to sing.

“Can I hear you speak again?” Bryan asked. “Is this really your speaking voice, you swear?”

Zach responded: “I swear, this is my natural voice.”

Then Richie added: “You are unique.”

Then they asked him to sing for them again.

Richie then gave Zach a Golden Ticket, signaling that he’d made it to the next round.

Despite performing before celebrity judges, Zach wasn’t rattled.

“I wasn’t really too nervous,” he said, in an interview. “I tried to stay confident and believe I could do well in front of them,” he said, adding that it helped to have his mom in New York with him.

Zach’s American Idol experience began when he auditioned at Tampa Bay Idol at Florida Hospital Center Ice, an event hosted by ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend.

There, he received a Front of the Line Pass for the next audition in Orlando.

His mom, Darci, and his dad, Bryan, took the day off from work to go to Orlando, and his sister, Taylor, took the day off from classes at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, to be there, too.

“We got there at 7 a.m., or so,” Bryan said. “There were roughly 5,000 people auditioning that day. The majority of them had to wait in this huge line. But, we only had to wait probably about an hour, and Zach got to sing in front of some of the judges.”

Still, Bryan said, “it was a LONG day.

“That was in August. It was all outside at Disney Springs,” Bryan said.

“In the sun,” Darci added.

“It was brutal,” Bryan said.

Zach finished his first audition, and then was held back for a second one later in the day before he found out he had made the cut to sing before the celebrity judges.

At that point, he had a choice to sing in various cities, Darci said.

Zach D’Onofrio has a collection of 40 pairs to 50 pairs of colorful socks. He gave each of the judges a pair, and Katy Perry promptly put them on her hands, like gloves.

Zach announced: “We’ve got to go to New York, Mom. I’m a Frank Sinatra guy. I’m a crooner.”

Darci and Bryan had to decide which of them would accompany Zach because they had a show scheduled at their Dreamhouse Theatre, which they operate in Lutz.

“I pulled the Mom card —  ‘Hey, I birthed him,’” Darci said. Plus, she added, “I’ve never been to New York.’”

Zach hadn’t been there, either, so the two of them made the most of it.

They arrived on a Sunday and stayed for three days, in a hotel within walking distance of Times Square. They visited The Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial.

The day they went to the 9/11 Memorial was the morning after the shootings in Las Vegas, Darci said.

“It was very, very touching to be there that day,” she said.

Zach’s audition day was on a Tuesday. The day began at 6 a.m., with Zach auditioning around 1 p.m.

“By the time we were done with filming, we weren’t out of there until 10 o’clock that night. It was pretty intense,” Darci said.

Bryan and Darci knew that Zach could sing, but didn’t realize how well he could sing until Zach came across a Frank Sinatra album, while shopping for vinyl with Bryan.

“When he heard Frank Sinatra, he was like: ‘I think I kind of sing like him’,” Bryan said.

Zach, who has performed in various Dreamhouse Theatre productions, said initially he ran the lights and the sound for shows.

“I would always see the actors on the stage perform, and I always wanted to go on the stage and perform myself, but I was always too nervous to do it because I wasn’t sure what other people would say about my voice,” he said.

After singing Sinatra-style for his parents, he decided to sing for cast members of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the theater.

“They really liked my voice, and they thought I should keep pursuing this and keep putting myself out there,” Zach said.

Although he’s interested in becoming a doctor, Zach is now considering the possibility of a singing career.

Like most things in life, time will tell.

Published March 14, 2018

Singing hopefuls flock to Tampa Bay Idol

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When 15-year-old Julia Toussaint learned American Idol auditions were coming to Wesley Chapel, she couldn’t pass up the chance at stardom.

“I told my voice teacher, ‘We have to do it,’” said Toussaint, a sophomore at Tarpon Springs High School.

Christine LaButay (bottom, left), of Wesley Chapel, waits for her daughter, (second from left) Joelle LaButay,17, to finalize registration for a chance to let the judges hear her sing acapella during the 45-second audition for Tampa Bay Idol, a semifinal for the show, American Idol. Christine selected a jazz piece by Amanda Seyfried, called ‘Mean Ol’ Man.’ (Fred Bellet)

Toussaint, who began singing as a 5-year-old, was one of 400 preregistered contestants selected for “Tampa Bay Idol” auditions, held Aug.12 at Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Like others, Toussaint was looking to strike fame via the hit television show that has launched the singing careers of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and countless others.

“I’m hoping to pursue (singing),” Toussaint said. “I mean, I’ve been doing it my whole life — a lot of community theater, choir.”

The daylong event was hosted by ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend.

Auditions began at 7:45 a.m., and continued late into the afternoon.

Ages and backgrounds of contestants varied. Singing styles did, too, ranging from pop and country, to soul and R&B.

While tryouts were closed to the general public and the media, ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend were on hand for constant event updates.

Contestants each had 45 seconds to belt out an acapella tune, in front of a panel of celebrity judges — a mix of television and radio personalities, and former Idol contestants.

Following each performance, hopefuls were critiqued on voice quality, stage presence, star power and so on.

Signage brightens the Aug. 12 Tampa Bay Idol auditions held at Florida Hospital Center Ice, in Wesley Chapel. Some 400 hopefuls tried to capture the judges’ attention during a 45-second audition.

The fortunate ones received a pass to go to the head of the line at the upcoming regional American Idols auditions in Orlando on Aug. 17. The “Front of the Line” ticket guarantees a chance to be seen by show producers without waiting in the long lines; no word has yet been given on how many contestants received passes.

“The requirements are pretty high and pretty stiff to get through,” said Dennis Elsbury, director of multimedia marketing for ABC Action News.

Throughout the day, Idol hopefuls expressed feelings of excitement, anxiousness and nervousness, as they patiently waited for their shot, alongside the accompaniment of family and friends.

A few spent downtime rehearsing vocals and reviewing lyrics.

Others, like Zephyrhills resident Heather Bergthold, remained discreet, trying to manage tensions.

“I’m more excited than anything; I’m trying to cover up the nervousness,” said Bergthold, as she waited in line.

With auditions in nearby Wesley Chapel, Bergthold couldn’t resist the chance to show off her singing talents, especially with the support from her friends.

Gabriel ‘Mac’ Artis, 18, of Tampa, accompanied his friend, Trinity Lasing, 17, also of Tampa. Artis dressed warm because he expected it to be cold at the Florida Hospital Center Ice venue and he wanted to be prepared. Lasing sang, ‘Almost is Never Enough,’ by Ariana Grande.

“It’s a good thing they came back with it,” she said, “because I promised a ton of people I’d do it.”

She added: “Everybody kept telling me all these different seasons, ‘You need to try out,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, no.’ But, then I was like, ‘If they come back, then I’ll try out.’”

The Idol audition wasn’t a first for St. Petersburg’s Sierra Davis, however.

The 18-year-old tried out in past seasons, including the Tampa Convention Center in 2015. She also performed at an open Idol audition in Gainesville.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting for this (opportunity) for so long, so I’m hoping this will be my shot,” Davis said prior to her tryout.

Despite missing the cut twice before, Davis remained upbeat, and confident in her abilities.

“I have plenty of (singing) experience,” she said, assuredly. “I graduated (high school) musical theater. I was a dancer in middle school, and a singer all my life; I’ve been in a couple of productions.”

Elsewhere, Valrico’s Dennis Tomy was just happy to participate, realistic about the odds of winning.

Before his audition, the 17-year-old said he “felt blessed” to even be selected for the competition.

“I don’t think I’m the best singer,” he said, “but I’m going to try my best.”

After 15 years on the Fox network, and a one-year hiatus, American Idol is returning to television on ABC in Spring 2018.

Ryan Seacrest will return as host. Katy Perry is confirmed as one of the Idol judges. Others in the mix to join Perry include Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Charlie Puth.

Should a Tampa Bay area contestant reach the national stage, the network could air the audition footage from the Aug. 12 event.

“If somebody makes it far enough, they’ll reach back into our archives,” said Elsbury, who helped coordinate Tampa Bay Idol. “I don’t want to overplay it because they’re going through hundreds and hundreds of people, and they’re doing this across the country.”

Besides showcasing local talent, Tampa Bay Idol offered an opportunity to promote Wesley Chapel.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore called the event “a great opportunity for the county.”

“For people outside of the area, we get to highlight our county, which is nice,” said Moore, who spent the morning greeting contestants and their families.

Meanwhile, Florida Hospital Center Ice, which opened its 150,500-square-foot ice rink and sports complex in January, proved to be a worthy host site.

“When we came and saw the layout of the building and how it works, it’s a really unique venue and really good for accommodating a lot of people,” Elsbury said. “A lot of events could be here.”

Published August 16, 2017