Canadian Idol contestant returns to St. John Vianney

BY CYNTHIA REASON

December 6, 2007 04:33 PM

Aspiring singer and Canadian Idol super-fan Riki Reynolds scored some up-close-and-personal advice and encouragement from Idol alumni and fellow Vianney Viper Christine Hanlon on Tuesday.

The determined 12-year-old, along with friends Fatima Moran, 12, and Cathy Errico, 13, stuck around after Hanlon's special holiday concert at St. John Vianney Catholic School (Hanlon's former school), to secure an autograph from her hometown hero. She walked away grasping both Hanlon's signature and some words of wisdom from the rising star.

"My advice to you is just to find out what it is you like to sing and to sing it well," Hanlon, whose early musical mentor was former Vianney teacher Fulvia Grande-Naccarato, told a beaming Reynolds.

"And no matter how many times people criticize you, just keep going. Criticism can make you stronger if you turn those negative remarks around and make them positive by working even harder."

Indeed, hard work was the theme of the hour-long event in which Hanlon, a 1999 graduate from Vianney, shared songs and stories from her Canadian Idol experience with starstruck students and teachers.

Last year, the school watched avidly as Hanlon made her first tentative steps towards musical stardom - first auditioning, then securing a coveted Golden Ticket and a spot on the hit show. But during the audition process, Hanlon had to battle a serious lung infection which caused her to lose her voice.

Coupled with mountainous stress levels and the little-to-no-sleep the competition allows for, Hanlon's bronchitis didn't make for an easy road, she told the kids. Still, she persevered and managed to make it into the Top 22.

"That experience taught me if you put your mind to it, you can do anything," she said. "I made it to be one of the top 11 girls and unfortunately got voted off, which was disappointing. But that's OK because no matter how many times people tell you 'no' you just have to keep going."

It was that optimistic attitude that captured the hearts of many a young fan in Rexdale. "I want to be just like you," said one such youngster when Hanlon asked the assembly what they would like to be when they grow up.

Principal Michael Gagliardi said it was great to have her back at the school.

"The kids have been very excited to have her here," he said. "And it's great for them to have a role model - especially one who comes from where they come from."

Dolores Gemmiti, Hanlon's Grade 8 teacher, said her success has come as no big surprise to her supporters at Vianney - they all knew to expect great things from Hanlon after hearing her perform at graduation.

"It almost brings tears to my eyes now, but one of the things I remember most about Christine is when she sang I Will Remember You (by Sarah McLachlan)," she said.

"That's when I knew that she was going to be a famous singer. It was so emotional, I don't think there was a dry eye there."

Hanlon, meanwhile, is continuing in her quest to become an international singing sensation - she's been writing songs and hopes to have a six- or seven-song demo ready in the spring. She's also considering a return to the Idol stage.

"The day I got voted off, when the producers were shaking my hand, they asked me to come back again next year," she said. "I'm not sure if I want to do that again, but it's tempting."

If the reaction from the kids at the concert is any indication, she might want to give it a try. Hands were clapping and feet were tapping as Hanlon launched into a jazzy rendition of The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) followed by a poppy version of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. By the time she wrapped up, there wasn't a voice in the auditorium that wasn't raised in appreciative hooting.

"Wow! You guys are louder than the audience at Canadian Idol," she said as the crowd went wild.

Rest assured, Gemmiti said, if Hanlon returns to the Idol stage, the whole school will be "voting like crazy."

Hanlon, meanwhile, is continuing in her quest to become an international singing sensation