SUTTON, Mass. - This photo above was taken just moments before Chloe Belsito's lifelong dream of auditioning for American Idol became a reality.

"I've seen this door many times on TV, so for me to be standing in front of it was insane. I remember putting my hand on the door knob and they're like 'Alright, go ahead' and I just took a deep breath and walked in,” Belsito said in an interview on Wednesday, February 3.

The 17-year-old and her mother, Melissa, went to San Diego to audition in front of the judges. She says the process of getting there was different for contestants this season. The auditions prior to California were done virtually from the comfort of her basement.

She says it didn't feel real until she received an email confirming her trip. "I was like no way, NO WAY because American Idol has been my dream show since I was a little girl. I've always watched the singers on it. I watched Carrie Underwood become famous, Kelly Clarkson, all these people and it was so cool to me," Belsito said. 

Belsito says she was losing confidence in her music career, but the audition not only allowed her to sing on national television, but it also inspired her to follow her passion.

"I was like I don't really want to do this as a living, and then American Idol came and it changed my whole decision. Now I got into the Berklee College of music and I'm deciding I'm going to go there and I'm going to pursue my music dream: my music career,” Belsito says.

As for how Belsito did on the show, she says, "I truly believe these three judges actually care about who you are as a musician and they want to help you. They gave me a chance to show myself and they were amazing so you guys will just have to wait and see what happens next."

Keep an eye out for Chloe on this season of American idol beginning on Sunday, February 14.