7 News Features: International Idol

WSVN -- Two shows, one dream. Think you're seeing double? You are, kinda of. If it looks like Idol and sounds like Idol, it's Idol.

The show took its formula south of the border, but you don't have to speak Spanish. The language of Idol is universal.

Mayre Martinez: "I used to get on YouTube and watch all the videos of the winners and imagine that's me."

Mayre Martinez is living the Idol dream. The sexy Venezuelan singer won the first season of Latin American Idol in 2006.

From auditioning to dealing with two hosts-- remember, Ryan and the Dunkleman? Uh, No-- to facing the judges, Mayre followed in the footsteps of American Idol winners, but is blazing her own trail with a mix of pop and Latin sizzle, but her challenge was even harder.

While Kelly, Ruben and the rest only had to win over fans in America, Latin Idol voters text in from more than a dozen countries.

Mayre Martinez: "It is really exciting. It is what I dreamed since I was a kid, since I was 5."

OK, they didn't have Idol when she was 5, but singing has always been her life. Mayre was teaching music in Caracas before her life-changing moment.

Mayre Martinez: "My students obligated me to do the Latin American Idol, like, 'I love you, teacher, I love you very much. You are a very good teacher, but you have to go. You have to go now.'"

So, during a trip to visit family in South Florida, she gave her first sit-down English language interview to, who else, but your International Idol insider."

So, how's life after Idol?

Mayre Martinez: "It was like a roller coaster. Everyone was like, 'Hi, you have to do this, and you have to wear this, and you have to go.' and I was going crazy."

Mariana Martinez: "I'm the biggest fan she can have."

With her family behind her and former students buying her record, the world is at her feet, and she's paved the way for others to experience a moment like this.

Louis Aguirre: "Mayre Martinez has one album out already and is working on a second. A tour of South America is currently in the works as well."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Mayre Martinez:
www.mayremartinez.com