Oklahoma City University grad lands Idol gig

Actor, singer, author and all-around Okie cutie Kristin Chenoweth sat in on "American Idol" auditions taped in Orlando, Fla., last week.

On Aug. 27, the Tony Award-winning "Wicked" lead and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" star was unveiled as one of the television show's mystery guest judges, a temporary slot that has replaced Paula Abdul's seat with a rotating cast of celebrity judges like actor Neil Patrick Harris, R&B singer Mary J. Blige, country singer Shania Twain and JoBro band member Joe Jonas.

Chenoweth, 41, a classically trained singer from Broken Arrow, received an Emmy nomination for her supporting role in "Pushing Daisies," an ABC comedy that aired from 2007-2009.

In April, Chenoweth published a memoir, "A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages," detailing her Southern Baptist roots, adoption and Hollywood ascent. The book made the New York Times bestseller list.

After breaking the news last week, People Magazine also revealed that Chenoweth has been chosen as a guest star in Fox's "Glee," a new fall musical comedy about underdogs vying for stardom in a high school glee club.

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