As Erica Gagliardi exited the stage at Trump Marina Hotel and Casino on Sunday night, the disappointment showed on her face.
Like the other five finalists in McDonald’s Presents Gimme the Mike — Philadelphia, the South Philly singer wanted to finish first.
The show, a takeoff of American Idol complete with local celebrity judges, was broadcast on UPN 57. The finale was broadcast live.
Gagliardi, of the 2100 block of South Woodstock Street, sang her heart out with a bluesy number, A House is Not a Home, but ended up in fourth place.
"It hurt for the first minute-and-a-half, but you just keep going on," she said after the show, as her neighborhood fans swarmed her to offer support.
Gagliardi, 19, was one of more than 500 hopefuls who auditioned to become the hottest singing sensation in the Delaware Valley. The pool was trimmed to 25 finalists to participate in the show. The singer clinched her spot on Sunday night’s grand finale by getting the highest score on the July 11 show.
Despite the final outcome, Gagliardi received abundant praise from the judges. After her performance on Sunday, B101-FM morning host Tiffany Hill told the singer, "There is nothing you can do to make it better."
About 50 fans in the live audience cheered and applauded their hometown favorite. They even held up signs with encouraging messages such as "Erica is a star."
And the girl who got her start singing the national anthem at Philadelphia sporting events still is a star in South Philly, even if Colwyn resident Aliyah Williams took the top prize. Williams was awarded a Pontiac Vibe, a demo recording session at Axis Music, a chance to sing the national anthem at a Phillies game this summer and other prizes.
But Gagliardi, a graduate of Girard Academic Music Program, went out on her own high note. By making the finals, she gets a four-night stay in Cancun, Mexico, next month.
The singer, who works as an accounts-receivable representative at Methodist Hospital, will not abandon her dreams. She said she will continue her weekly recording sessions.
Gimme The Mike — Philadelphia is just the latest stop on the talent-show circuit for Gagliardi. In 2002, she 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.
"I am definitely just going to keep on going," Gagliardi said. "You don’t stop if this is what you want to do."
