Madsen wins 'Idol' golden ticket

Next stop: Hollywood.

Cedar Rapids native Kelsey Madsen, 20, won a coveted golden ticket in the Orlando auditions for Fox TV's “American Idol.”

Even though viewers caught just a glimpse of her on tonight's episode, they got to hear judge Kara DioGuardi proclaim “You're great,” then see Madsen's dad give her a congratulatory twirl.

Madsen, daughter of Erik and Chris Madsen of Cedar Rapids, is a 2008 graduate of Linn-Mar High School in Marion, where she was active in music. She also starred in “Hair” at Theatre Cedar Rapids last May. She is now a student at Columbia College in Chicago.

Madsen was one of 31 people to win a golden ticket in the Orlando auditions, which drew 10,000 contestants in July.

Audition episodes continue before the Hollywood Rounds begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 on KFXA.

The judges will again narrow the field of contestants before viewer voting begins Feb. 23.

Interviews with Orlando golden ticket winners will be posted after midnight at

www.americanidol.com Katelyn Epperley of West Des Moines won a golden ticket in the Chicago auditions. Her video interview is up on the "Idol" web site.