'American Idol' dreams

Gina Glocksen walked away in tears -- barely able to keep her head up. She stepped into the elevator and cried some more.

But make no mistake -- these were tears of joy.

The 22-year-old Tinley Park native, who now lives in Naperville, was informed on Wednesday's episode of "American Idol" that she had become one of the final 12 female contestants. Twelve male contestants also will compete in the next round.

"Shut up!" she told judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell in disbelief as she was informed that she had advanced. "Oh my God."

Not only is she one step closer to becoming an Idol, but she will get more time in the national spotlight. She will have more opportunities to perform solos and win based on viewers' votes.

Viewers will get greater insight of their personalities and talents over the next few weeks. Many times, contestants who haven't won the competition have become nearly as successful as the winners.

Gina's mom, Nancy Glocksen, said she knew the outcome of Wednesday night's show and still shed tears of joy for her youngest of three daughters.

"She was great," Nancy said. "Even if she wasn't my daughter, I would have voted for her.

"I wanted so badly to be there with her, to hug her and tell her how proud of her I was," she said. "I'm proud of all three of my girls, and they are proud of each other."

Nancy Glocksen said Gina is "chasing a dream of becoming a professional singer."

She said she and Gina drove to Detroit four years ago so she could audition for the second season of American Idol.

"We literally slept on the streets," Nancy said. "Gina didn't make the cut. But she was unfazed.

"She continued pursuing her dream. Nothing was going to get in her way," her mom said. "That's how she's approached this whole thing."

Nancy said she and her ex-husband always urged their girls to use rejection in a positive way.

"They all have an inner drive to be their best," she said. "Gina takes constructive criticism and uses it to her advantage.

"She was never intimidated by Simon," Nancy said. "He is actually a very nice person."

The next "American Idol" episode will air at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The women will compete on Wednesday's episode at 7 p.m.