To every beginning there’s an end.
Middletown soul-rocker Nitro Nitra was reminded of this after she didn’t make it past the qualifying round on week four of NBC’s “American Song Contest” Monday evening.
After the votes were announced live on episode four, the Wilmington native made a passionate post on Instagram.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to vote for me. I really appreciate it,” said the blonde singer with the upbeat attitude. “This is just the beginning. There’s going to be so much more to come!”
Her supporters responded by sending warm vibes.
“Def the beginning and you were robbed so there’s that. But we LOVE you!!!!!” one passionate supporter wrote.
“I love your energy, we are behind you 100%,” another hyped fan said.
“KEEP SHINING. The journey gotta love it!!!” a fan shared with Nitra.
“Cant wait for more!” one excited supporter said.
Nitra made her debut on “American Song Contest” on week three when she performed her original song “Train.”
Meet Nitro Nitra:Phil Collins and a weird dream led her onto ‘American Song Contest’
The soul-rocker drew applause from the crowd as she shimmered in a cosmic body suit bedazzled in gems and complemented by platform boots with red laces and matching red gloves.
Snoop Dogg, co-host of “American Song Contest” with Kelly Clarkson, tried not to go off the rails when he introduced Nitra on the show.
“Let’s continue with a state known for locomotives. But this artist might be the one who’s going places. Competing from Delaware, meet Nitro Nitra,” the rapper said.
“Train” was inspired by nearly two decades of turbulent times (off and on) where Nitra was stuck on an emotional train ride through drug addiction, substance abuse, rehab and homelessness – she told Delaware Online / The News Journal, prior to her debut on the show.
A few years ago, the singer added, she managed to get off the train and she’s been sober ever since.
“American Song Contest,” inspired by the popular “Eurovision Song Contest,” is a new, eight-week show that’s different from other TV contest programs.
That’s because it features a mix of up-and-coming singers to famous music artists such as Michael Bolton (Connecticut) and Jewel (Alaska), alongside rising singers like Nitra.
The way the show works is the first round features five weeks with 56 artists representing every state in America, plus five territories and D.C. The artists each perform homegrown music with the goal of one artist getting recognized for the best original tune, according to NBC.com.
During the qualifying round, which lasts five weeks, 11 to 12 artists perform each episode with only four artists advancing to the semi-finals.
A jury comprised of music-industry experts vote for one artist to advance. In order to qualify for the three other slots, artists must rely on a combination of votes from viewers and the jury.
There also are 56 members of the expert jury panel, including Delaware’s own Christa Cooper, an on-air personality / assistant program director for First State country station WDSD with iHeartRadio.
Artists heading to the semi-finals at this point are Jared Lee (Massachusetts), Grant Knoche (Texas), Ni/Co (Alabama), Riker Lynch (Colorado), Tyler Braden (Tennessee), Jordan Smith (Kentucky), Broderick Jones (Kansas), Jonah Prill (Montana), Chloe Fredericks (North Dakota), Hueston (Rhode Island), AleXa (Oklahoma) and Michael Bolton (Connecticut).
Before Nitra ended her Instagram video on Monday night, where she teased more to come from her, she made a special request to her fans.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she told her supporters who voted for her. “Keep streaming my song, because it’s already done.”
The tune is available able nitronitra.com.
NBC’s “American Song Contest” is broadcasted live on Mondays at 8 p.m. For more info, visit NBC.com.
Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com
