At least three Oklahomans are headed to Hollywood to compete for stardom on the new season of "American Idol."

On Wednesday, the second night of Idol's season premiere, Tulsa teen Alaina Whitaker, Muskogee musician Colton Swon and Oklahoma State University junior Kyle Ensley impressed judges enough to move on to the next round of the nation's most popular TV show/singing competition.

All three auditioned for the show's seventh season in Dallas, with Whitaker and Swon garnering unanimous "yes" votes from the show's judges: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.

Whitaker, a 16-year-old student at Tulsa's Metro Christian Academy, auditioned by singing Faith Hill's "Stronger." Her performance impressed judges but earned a tiny barb from Cowell, who told her she's not as good as she thinks she is.

Whitaker and her sister, Brittney Whitaker, a student at Oklahoma State University, won the local talent competition "My Big Break" last February, earning a $5,000 prize and a chance to record a three-song CD courtesy of Big Break Entertainment.

Swon told judges he plays the guitar and several other instruments in a band with his brother, Zach Swon. He auditioned by singing Little Big Town's "Boondocks."

Ensley, from Valliant, said he also hopes for a career in politics, possibly one day becoming governor of Oklahoma. He auditioned by singing Queen's "Somebody to Love."

Abdul and Cowell liked him, but Jackson voted no. Luckily for Ensley, "Idol" contestants need only two of the three judges' votes to make it to the Hollywood competition.

Oklahoma's biggest "Idol" success so far has been Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who's won Grammy awards and had several multiplatinum hits since winning in 2005.

"American Idol" will continue with audition rounds next Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Fox, channel 23, cable channel 5.

Cary Aspinwall 581-8477
cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com