Entertainment

Pittsburgh woman arrested at "American Idol" audition for trespassing

By Michelle Castillo

October 7, 2011 / 9:53 AM EDT / CBS News

In this undated publicity image released by Fox, "American Idol" judges, Steven Tyler (left), Jennifer Lopez (center) and Randy Jackson are shown during Hollywood Week in Los Angeles. AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker

(CBS) Normally you are told if at first you don't succeed, try try again. But for Brittany Acosta, a Pittsburgh woman who wants to desperately be on "American Idol," her persistence to make it on the show landed her in jail.

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According to WXPI in Pittsburgh, Pa., police say that Acosta was not supposed to be at the Pittsburgh Convention Center during the "American Idol" auditions last week. When asked to vacate the premises, the report states she "refused to leave and became combative." Acosta is being charged with trespassing and resisting arrest.

"I've read the criminal complaint and it reads like I'm crazy. I'm not. It sounds insane," Acosta told WXPI. She then sang for reporters outside the city court after her preliminary hearing on Oct. 5, 2011.

Acosta admitted to ABC affiliate WTAE in Pittsburgh that she has been traveling to various cities and attempting to audition for the show, and it's her dream to make it as a singer. "I have a stack this big of airline tickets," Acosta said to WTAE. "I've been to California everywhere. I've been to Texas. I've been to Arizona. St. Louis. I've been to Denver, Colo., here, New York -- I can keep going."

The "American Idol" hopeful told both Pittsburgh stations the police report is wrong. She admitted to being questioned by security at the audition, but says one member of the staff told her she was not trespassing and went upstairs to clear the matter. According to Acosta, she was arrested after that person left.

She also strongly denies the claim in the police report that she said, "I'm not leaving, this is my dream, my life is ruined." "I said, 'I wasted almost $10,000 this summer traveling.' I'm pretty much broke until I work this weekend," she told WTAE.

While she'll have to wait for her preliminary hearing's continuation on Oct. 17 to find out her fate, it's not all bad news for Acosta. According to her, she's made the callbacks for NBC's singing competition program "The Voice."

"I think it's going to be better anyways. Christina Aguilera (a 'Voice' judge) is from here, so I'd like to compare myself to her, and I love her," Acosta said to WTAE.