Real talent

Erica Gagliardi has taken a few sips of fame. Beginning at age 9, she sang the national anthem in front of packed houses at Philadelphia sporting events.

Six years ago, she recorded her first single, Lookin’.

She even flirted with a spot on American Idol.

Now the 19-year-old from the 2100 block of South Woodstock Street is just waiting to win that big recording contract, and she hopes a local talent-search show will be the ticket.

McDonald’s Presents Gimme the Mike — Philadelphia will air on UPN 57 beginning Sunday at 8 p.m. Gagliardi will be one of 25 Philadelphia-area contestants chosen from a series of open auditions to perform for a panel of music-industry judges. One contestant will be chosen from a group of five each week to compete in the finals, which will be broadcast live from the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino on Aug. 1.

Gagliardi’s performance will air July 11, but she can’t reveal whether she will continue to the final round.

The weekly winners will receive a vacation package, while the top singer picks up a Pontiac Vibe, a demo recording session, a chance to sing at a Phillies game this summer and other prizes.

Unlike American Idol, first place does not come with a guaranteed recording contract.

But Gagliardi, a 2003 graduate of Girard Academic Music Program, still believes the show could bring her closer to that goal.

"It’s definitely a lot of exposure, and that is what I was looking for," said the singer, who works full time as an accounts receivable representative at Methodist Hospital.

Gagliardi is no stranger to the talent-show circuit. Over the last couple of years, she has advanced to the final round of Philly Idol — a local feeder competition for American Idol — as well as last year’s "It’s a Wrap!" talent contest during the Sunoco Welcome America! Festival.

The UPN 57 show is being syndicated in 30 markets across the country. Gagliardi’s boyfriend, Michael Policella, learned about the contest from a radio commercial. The singer sent in an audition tape and made the cut.

As in dating reality shows like The Bachelor, the 25 crooners are sworn to secrecy about which six — including one wild-card pick — will move on to the finals. CBS 3’s Paul Deanno and former Miss Philadelphia Bethany Watson will host the weekly competition.

Celebrity judges, including singer Lauren Hart, recording artist Musiq and Survivor‘s Gervase Peterson, will join the panel of music-industry luminaries.

Next time around, Gagliardi might qualify for the celebrity side of the table.

At least the determined singer hopes so.

"That’s basically why I enter every competition, because you never know who is watching."