A few weeks ago my friend Elizabeth and I headed up to Valley View Casino to catch a taping of 3 Minutes to Stardom, a local "American Idol"-type reality program, hosted by the Reader's own music writer Dave Good. The show airs at 7pm Saturdays on the San Diego's FOX 5. Winners receive $10,000 cash and an audition with an executive from a recording label.

I was able to chat with a few of the contestants before they headed on stage.

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29-year-old Falcon Rhodes wore fire engine red, patent-leather, platform boots and a raccoon tail.

"I bought these boots on Sunset Blvd in LA at a stripper store. They were only $50," she told me with a laugh.

Rhodes resides in Los Angeles were she works as a singer/songwriter. She is currently co-writing an album with her mom.

Rhodes performed Aerosmith's "Dream On." After her performance, judge Ashlee, of Rock 105.3, called Falcon's outfit, “A Halloween costume gone horribly wrong."

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When I asked 21-year-old SDSU student Yvonne her full name she said: "I don't use my last name."

Kind of like Madonna or Beyoncé, I guess.

Everything she wore was purchased from Ross except for her Steve Madden shoes.

Yvonne's favorite wardrobe item are her sparkly Converse. She has them in three different colors: Black, pink, and silver. You can find them at Journeys for $59.99.

Yvonne performed "Halo" by Beyoncé.

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I found Stacy Antonel, Ocean Beach resident and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center cashier, pacing backstage before her performance. The 29-year-old sang Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man." Antonel was one of the two contestants selected by judges to continue on in the competition. If she wins the $10,000 prize money she plans on traveling to Europe.

Antonel wore an H&M disco-inspired dress and lucky ballet flats.