"Nerve-wracking." "Excited." "Loved it." "Devastated." Those were just some of high-strung emotions that ran through local singers hearts and minds when they auditioned for the No. 1-rated television show, "American Idol," in Salt Lake City last summer.

Viewers will be able to see just how rattled they got when the episode profiling the Beehive capitol airs Wednesday at 7 p.m. on KSTU Channel 13.

Last July, thousands of Utahns and others from around the country crowded inside the EnergySolutions Arena for their 60-second shot at climbing the ladder to fame.

It was the first time Salt Lake City -- after the success of second-place finisher David Archuleta of Murray last season -- became an audition city for the Fox mega-hit show.

Seventeen-year-old Kyle Khou of South Jordan didn't make the initial cut but said it was one of the "funnest experiences of my life."

He stood before two judges at a table in the middle of the arena and belted out Bonnie Raitt's "Let's Give Them Something To Talk About." Unfortunately, he didn't leave the judges much to talk about after his minute-and-a-half performance.

"They told me I had a good voice, but it wasn't as strong as some people they put through in past cities," said the Bingham High School junior.

Still, he added, "I met so many people -- the nicest people and the craziest of people. I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Aubree Childs, of Lehi, was especially rattled walking to the audition table because "I had it in my mind I was going to make it," said the 25-year-old, who is studying to be an embalmer.

"It just didn't happen," she said. "I was really disappointed, especially because everyone was saying, 'Oh my gosh, you're so going to make it.'"

Tyla Ward, 18, of South Jordan, made it past the first round and auditioned before the show's producers more than a month later. She said she was one of about 180 from the Salt Lake City auditions who returned for a second audition in September.

She made it through three more auditions with producers before getting cut -- right before she got to perform before judges Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and newcomer Kara DioGuardi.

"It was very nerve-wracking, but if the opportunity came again, I would definitely do it again," she said. "I still have 12 years to try out, and I'm hoping one of those 12 will be the charm."

The judges told auditioners -- as Cowell told reporters -- that Salt Lake City was rich with singing talent. Khou knows of at least seven Utahns who made it to the Hollywood round, which is airing next month, and at least one from the state who made it past that. (One singer who made it to Hollywood is the son of an Osmond).

Those who didn't go far still called the try-outs a life lesson.

"You get to experience something that is like show business," Childs said. "For me, it was a great experience, even though I was super upset."