OHS grad tries for fame

He's conquered the national Mariachi circuit - now it's time to take Mexico by storm.

Odessa High School graduate Esteban Velasquez is one of 19 competing for international stardom on "La Academia," Mexico's version of "American Idol" with a little bit of "Big Brother" mixed in.

Filming started in Mexico City late last month, and Esteban nailed his performance Sunday night. That means he'll get to stay on the show for at least another week. If votes are favorable throughout the season, Esteban stands to win $300,000, a house, cars and gifts.

And there's the 10-year contract with Mexico's TV Azteca, where he'll get to perform for shows, movies and live concerts.

But competition hasn't been easy for the 18 year old.

Esteban's mom, Cristela, said it's been rough for her son, especially considering this is his first time away from home.

Couple that with having 18 other roommates aged 15 to 27 who are all in fierce competition with each other and a host of teachers and judges critiquing his every move. "La Academia" follows its competitors with 24-hour webcams while they share a house and wait to see who ends up getting the gold.

Cristela said Esteban's not allowed to have any contact with friends and family because of "La Academia's" rules, but she's seen him break down a couple of times online.

"He gets homesick," she said. "He says he misses his mom and little brother."

He's willing to put up with it to achieve his goal of singer infamy.

Esteban won the 2007 Best Mariachi Vocalist in the U.S. title last December at the 13th annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio. Cristela said he'd been watching "La Academia" for years but producers had an age requirement to compete. Once he hit that, she suggested he try out for the show.

"El Tejano," as Esteban's known to his fellow competitors, beat out 160,000 others from the United States, Mexico and South America so far and is one of two American contestants. The season ends Dec. 21.

Cristela said she'd love to see her son win, but if he doesn't, it's OK.

"He'll come home sooner," she joked. "But I know he wants to be in first place."

SUPPORT ESTEBAN:
>> Check out "La Academia" online at www.tvazteca.com or watch the show on Grande Communications' Channel 170 or on the Dish Network.