Age: 17
Occupation: High School Student
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Audition City: Calgary, AB
Place of Birth: Calgary, AB
Nickname: "Mel"
Sounds Like: n/a
Identifies With: Vanessa Carlton/Norah Jones/ Michelle Branch
Musical Style: Pop
Fashion Style: "Hobo and / or Sleepy"
Motto: "Don't quote me."

"I have been fortunate enough to have awesome experiences with my teachers. They have all been so supportive and helped me grow as both a singer and a performer."

Melissa O'Neil says she first began to sing after listening to the Spice Girls. The sixteen-year-old high school student is a self-described "musical theatre fanatic" who has appeared in several school productions. "I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see Les Miserables," she says. "I know every song and every line and everything that happens, but I've never seen it!"

Melissa plays basketball but is a serious rugby player. She participates in a lot of extra-curricular activities at school and says "I spend more time in school than some teachers!" Melissa loves kids and works as a daycare worker at a health club. She says she is most proud of her younger brother. "He continues to surprise me with how cool he is," she says. "I show him off to everyone; he's a very impressive eight-year-old!"

Melissa received a guitar for Christmas but hasn't got around to learning how to play it. "I'm a wanna-be acoustic guitar player," she says. Melissa loves "my mom's cooking," Everybody Loves Raymond and Moulin Rouge. In spare time she likes to "hang out, work out and pretend I'm a superstar with my little brother as my bodyguard."

The song title that best describes her? The Rose. "I'm like a rose bud that is blossoming into this wonderful flower?but with thorns," she says.

Which musical act would you most like to see in concert? Les Miserables.
What posters/pictures are on the walls of your bedroom? A basketball hoop that took me 4 hours to put up in my bedroom. There's also a poster that shows guitar chords on my floor.
I feel most comfortable when I'm...acting silly when I'm with someone that I'm comfortable enough with to be silly with.
What is your favourite movie? Moulin Rouge
What is your favourite book? The Celestine Prophecy

What has been the biggest accomplishment of your life?

I honestly haven't had one of those life-defining moments where I've felt it has been a huge accomplishment. I've been very fortunate in having great experiences and having success in the general things that I do.

What are you the most proud of?

I am so proud of my younger brother. He continues to surprise me with how cool he is. I show him off to everyone, he's a very impressive 8-year-old.

Which item could you not live without?

I could not live without my bed. It takes me forever to get to bed but once I'm there I don't get up. I can sleep through anything!

What's been the best day of your life?

I had not seen my dad in a long time, and then as a surprise my mom took me out for breakfast and there he was. I wasn't so happy because my mom had cut my hair really short?but at that point I had completely forgotten about it.

If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I would like to meet my Uncle Pat. He died when I was younger and I don't remember much of him, but he was an amazing person and I would have liked to have known him better.

What do you think has gotten you this far in the competition?

I've taken it for what it is. For the most part I haven't gotten too stressed out, that's what my mom does! Canadian Idol is not a life or death situation and I think I've come at it with the right mentality.

What will it take for you to become the Canadian Idol?

It's going to take a bit more preparation on my part, and ultimately a whole schwack-load of Me.

What has been the most challenging part of the competition so far?

The top 100-audition process was very enjoyable and fun up until the last day of solo singing. By that point, I was just worn-down and very strung out.

Whose career path would you like to follow and why?

In the context of 'Idols' ideally Theresa Sokyrka, she made it very far and Canadian Idol is an experience of a lifetime.

What part of the Canadian Idol experience has surprised you the most?

The atmosphere; I did not expect everyone to be so supportive. There is little to no cattiness and that has both surprised and impressed me. And the whole 'reality TV' business; cameras are everywhere. Which is both fun and a little intrusive at the same time.

What did you learn about yourself during the Top 100?

When it is something important to me?regardless of the situation (who I am with, where I am, what is the deadline) I will focus and work really hard to try and get it done.

What was your reaction when you made the Top 32?

I wanted my mommy.

Who has been the greatest inspiration of your life?

My mom and dad, although I don't show them enough.

Who has helped to make you the singer you are today?

My teachers. I have been fortunate enough to have awesome experiences with majority of my teachers, they have all been so supportive and helped me grow as both a singer and performer.

What song touches you the most? Why does it affect you so much?

"Let's Call the Whole Thing Off "? Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. The song is so cute and awesome. When I'm having a crummy day I'll listen to it and it makes me feel so much better. Especially if I think about how my brother tries to sing it like Louis.

What do you do to keep your nerves in check during the competition?

If I am not prepared I get a little wonky but I relax and my parents really help to calm me down and then I go do it.

How has this competition changed you?

I don't think the competition has changed me. But it has changed the people around me a bit. People want to talk to me more.

"like" and "dude"