The UA got a taste of reality television talent Friday night when two contestants from last season's "American Idol" performed a free concert at Centennial Hall.

About 500 people attended the concert, filling only about 20 percent of the 2,456 seats, but the small turnout didn't seem to bother anyone.

"That was amazing, to be on stage again" said former "Idol" contestant Kimberly Locke after the show. "It's very good to see my fans out there supporting me."

Locke and fellow "Idol" contestant Carmen Rasmusen performed songs they sang on the show as well as a few new pieces, while pre-recorded music accompanied them over the loudspeakers.

CLAIRE C. LAURENCE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sean Halleck of the band Chomsky rocks out at Centennial Hall on Friday night. The performance was part of an American Idol show featuring two of last year's contestants.

Natasha Bhuyan, a molecular and cellular biology freshman, could hardly stay in her seat when Rasmusen, clad in black leather pants and a white jacket, took the stage at around 9:30 p.m.

"I'm a giant fan," she exclaimed while dancing near the stage with a group of friends. "I want to hang out with Carmen Rasmusen!"

Rasmusen performed five songs, including Jamie O'Neal's "There is no Arizona" before Locke, last season's third-place winner took the stage dressed in an "I love UA" T-shirt.

Patrick Call, assistant director of Residence Life, said the UA specifically

requested to have Locke perform on campus because she was a favorite among many students.

When an excited fan in the crowd yelled, "I love you, Kimberly," undeclared freshman Variatee

Montgomery, immediately answered with, "I love you more!"

Montgomery said Locke was her favorite contestant.

Several people in the crowd held up cell phones while Locke sang, letting their friends listen in on the performance.

"I kept looking out into the audience and seeing all these blue lights, and they were flipping open their cell phones so their friends could listen," Locke said.

Leah Adams, an undeclared freshman who said she's considered auditioning for "American Idol" herself, said she loved Locke's performance, which included songs like "It's Raining Men," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and her new single "Eighth World Wonder."

"Kimberly Locke is outstanding," Adams said. "She's got powerhousevocals."

Adams said she felt like Friday's concert brought a little bit of Hollywood to Tucson. Many of the concertgoers said they attended the show simply because the price was right.

"We're here because it's free," said undeclared freshman Brittany Parish, who said she only watched a few episodes of "American Idol."

The UA won the free concert after competing in a competition

with 49 other schools across the country to see which campus could call in the most votes to the show.

Five residence halls on campus represented the UA in the contest.

While some went to the show for the music, others had a different motive in mind.

"I heard the girls were really hot," said Travis Fahey, a pre-physiological sciences freshman.

Up-and-coming rock bands Magna-Fi and Chomsky also performed, although the crowd began to dwindle when Magna-Fi took the stage and the volume went up.

"It's too loud," said biology freshman Missy Brun as she left Centennial.

Some who stayed took in the concert with their hands over their ears; others didn't mind the noise.

Karlie Saine, an undeclared freshman, said she came to the show to see Chomsky and Magna-Fi because she likes to keep up with new bands.

Only about 50 faithful fans stayed until the end of the concert, which lasted until about 11 p.m.

Pre-business freshman Angela Heck, who referred to herself as an "American Idol-aholic" barely had a voice left after cheering throughout the whole show.

"It was phenomenal!" she exclaimed with what little voice she could muster. "A great way to start off Homecoming weekend."