Even as a little girl, Cori Yarckin was most comfortable in the spotlight. Growing up in the Orlando area, she danced in Disney specials, sang children's opera, and even studied theater. 2000 was a big year for Yarckin. She landed the role of Camille Ruiz on the short-lived Nickelodeon kid comedy Noah Knows Best, and made a few fleeting appearances on ABC's pop reality masterpiece Making the Band. Noah was canceled in 2001, but Yarckin used the exposure to boost her burgeoning singing career. She recorded a demo, and competed in an America Online-sponsored contest against other unsigned acts. Yarckin reached the semifinals in late 2003, and looked forward to the event's final showdown, slated for early the following year. ~ Johnny Loftus