Keesler singer rekindles passion, auditions for 'American Idol' Published Aug. 10, 2011 By Steve Hoffmann 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- "You're going to Hollywood!" are the four words Hazel McMillan really wants to hear when she auditions for American Idol in Houston at the end of August. McMillan, 24, works at the front desk of the Inns of Keesler. Her husband, Staff Sgt. Frederick McMillan, 209th Civil Engineering Squadron, Mississippi Air \National Guard, is currently deployed to Iraq. Hazel McMillan was born in the Philippines and grew up in Quezon City, Manila. She's been singing all her life. "For as long as I can remember, it's just something I've always loved to do," McMillan said. As a former member of a four-girl singing group in the Philippines, McMillan likes to frequent local karaoke bars with friends to keep her singing pipes in tune. "My friend actually has a karaoke machine at her house," said McMillan."Sometimes I'll go over there and we'll just sing all night long." According to McMillan, singing helps calm her down. "When I'm upset about something, I like to sing," she explained. "That's usually when I do karaoke night." "I'm already nervous," said McMillan. To calm herself down, she's chosen "How Do I Live?" by LeAnn Rimes as her audition song. "My favorite singers are Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and LeAnn Rimes," said McMillan. She lists Shania Twain, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez as other favorites. "I love everything about them," exclaimed McMillan. "I like their voices, their sound, their lyrics -- everything. I used to listen to them on the radio growing up and would just try to copy them as they sang." McMillan is trying to arm herself with six songs that she's memorizing to be ready if she makes it to Hollywood. It's all part of her plan of not giving up on her dream. It's been six years since she's performed on stage and she's looking forward to rekindling her passion. "I know I can sing," said McMillan. "I just don't want to throw all that away." McMillan hasn't watched American Idol since the days of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard and just recently got the idea to audition. While discussing her idea with a coworker, they looked online and found that Houston was holding auditions at the end of August. McMillan performed in front of a group of kids Aug. 2 at the child development center, and if their reaction is any indication, McMillan is definitely headed to Hollywood. "Everyone tells me I'm really good," she said. "The kids thought I was awesome."