Out of about 80,000 people who wanted to be the next American Idol, 2011 Mercer Island High School graduate Danny Lacker, made it to the Hollywood round in the 11th season of the popular singing competition.

Although the top 24 for the season are already known by insiders, it’s a pretty big deal to make it as far as Lacker did considering the thousands that turn out to audition in various cities across the U.S. He auditioned in Portland, Ore. last summer, making three trips with his dad, William Lacker, before being handed his ‘golden ticket’ to Hollywood.

Lacker’s father, William said what is seen on television just scratches the surface.

Thousands of hopefuls are eliminated long before the television audience tunes in. It is chaotic and intense. Lacker said it was nerve wracking.

“Working with the other contestants was so much fun,” he said. “But they’re all really talented.”

Despite the pressure, Lacker made it through to the all-important audition before celebrity judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. But he did not move on.

Singing “My Funny Valentine” for the judges, Lacker said he didn’t remain true to the song. He was tired.

He is thinking about trying again.

I’m disappointed, but life goes on, and there’s always next year,” he said.

“We’re trying to talk him into going back next year,” his father said. “I think he was just tired, worn out from the whole thing.”

Lacker was a member of the jazz choir at MIHS for three years, excelling at both choir and theater said Tom Cox, the choir director. Cox said the student was awarded the Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Jazz award at the end of his senior year. He was also voted “most likely to win a Grammy” by his peers. The singer is also a master beat boxer, which is a form of vocal percussion, he added.

He watched for his former student on the television show.

“I saw him for a nanosecond waving his yellow ticket when he made it to Hollywood,” Cox said.

Cox emphasized that there are many layers to go through before a contestant gets in front of the judges, so  his student went far.

Lacker’s individual audition before the judges did not air.

He was hesitant to say much more for this story, citing American Idol rules to stay mum until the show wraps on air.

In a video interview that filmed at Idol, Lacker said he auditioned because his mom “pushed him into it.” He had been reluctant at first. But, after moving on to the next round, he exclaims, “Oh my God is this really happening? It feels so surreal.”

He said that first time he performed in front of a live audience was in a sixth-grade production of  “Grease.”

Lacker has just returned from Colorado where he and his brother, Michael, a 2010 graduate of MIHS, competed at the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition.

He said he made it to the finals of the musical theater scholarship audition, but did not receive a scholarship.

It is all part of the business.

“It’s the performing arts way of having scouts see you,” William Lacker explained, comparing it to how sports scouts come to observe high school players. “Scouts show up at these things to see what new talent is out there.”

Back at home, both Lacker and his brother attend Bellevue College.

He intends to get an AA degree in theater at Bellevue, then transfer to get a four-year degree, also in theater.

“Honestly, I’ve been really focusing on working and school since I’ve been back,” he said.