Modestan falls short in 'Glee Project' but still gets spot on hit show

Modesto’s Lindsay Pearce came close. So close.

But although the 20-year-old veteran of local theater did not win the reality competition show “The Glee Project,” she will still get a guest spot on the Fox mega-hit series “Glee.”

Pearce was one of four finalists on the show, which started with 12 young people living together in Los Angeles, learning song-and-dance numbers in a sort of “Glee” bootcamp. Their experience was documented by a camera crew for a 10-week series, which finished airing Sunday night.

Even though Pearce didn’t win, “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy and others involved in the project liked her performance — and that of fellow contestant Alex - so much that it was decided that they, too, should receive guest roles.

Winners Damian and Samuel will get seven guest spots. Pearce and Alex will get at least two, said Robert Ulrich, the show’s Emmy-nominated casting director.Ulrich, a Modesto native, had good things to say about Lindsay’s abilities.

“She is just such a star,” he said. “She’s enormously talented, such a good actress.”

Ulrich, in fact, suggested Pearce try out for “The Glee Project” after seeing her perform at last year’s Valley’s Got Talent show in Modesto.

“For Lindsay to be part of this was just so wonderful,” Ulrich said. “It made me proud Modesto was represented so well.”

Pearce enjoyed the experience.

“It was fun, stressful, competitive ... but never not fun,” she said in an interview with The Bee before the finale aired.

For her final performance, Pearce sang “Gimme Gimme” from the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” She picked it, she said, because organizers of the show had been asking her to show her more vulnerable side.

Dot Jones, a Hilmar native and “Glee” cast member who mentored contestants, liked the performance.

“Linsday, her voice is incredible,” she said.

Linsday’s acting abilities also were praised.

“Overall, the best actor was Lindsay,” said Eric White, the show’s music video director. “Whatever note I gave her, she could pinpoint it and deliver.”

Zach Woodlee, “Glee” choreographer and a mentor to contestants, had this to say about Linsday’s performance: “You cannot deny how powerful Lindsay is on camera. Acting-wise, she blows the competition away.”

“The Glee Project” started with a small audience, but its following has grown. Ulrich expects there will be a second season of the show.

He emphasized that all 12 contestants are winners because of the exposure the show afforded them.

“They are all just in a wonderful position right now,” he said.

Bee staff writer Kerry McCray can be reached at (209) 578-2358.

This story was originally published August 21, 2011 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Modestan falls short in 'Glee Project' but still gets spot on hit show."