American Idol's Angela Martin: The Unluckiest Woman In America

I don't know if she tripped over a black cat and broke a mirror while carrying salt, but Angela Martin may just be the unluckiest woman in America.

Martin is one of those hopeful, starry-eyed contestants that audition year after year for "American Idol," hoping for overnight fame and fortune. And unlike most contestants, Martin is actually very talented. She has auditioned three times for the show, and three times she has made it to the much-beloved Hollywood.

However, her trips to Hollywood have consistently ended in disaster.

In 2007, her moving personal story of life with her disabled daughter, coupled with an amazing singing voice, easily won her a spot in American Idol's second round. However, shortly after snagging her first golden ticket to La La Land, her father was murdered by his long-time girlfriend, leaving the young Chicago woman too grief-stricken to compete. She left the competition shortly after his funeral.

On her second try in 2008, she once again sang her way to Hollywood, only to lose her spot thanks to a traffic court summons over an outstanding ticket. She spent six days in jail.

Now, with a third and final chance at realizing her dream, tragedy has struck again: Martin's mother was reported missing after Christmas.

The 28-year-old's mom, Viola Brown (pictured with her daughter to the left), was going to visit Martin's older sister, after the holidays, but never arrived, according to People.com. On New Year's Eve, her car was found abandoned in a Chicago suburb. The "America's Most Wanted" show did a report on Viola Martin's disappearance Jan. 23.

Angela Martin's 10-year-old daughter has Rett syndrome and has been having "multiple seizures a day," Angela told People.

And to top off this heartbreaking tale, Angela was cut this week from "American Idol." She did not make it to the Top 24. Now even a cynical Idol-hater like myself finds it shocking that the producers of "American Idol," knowing this woman's back story and knowing her mother was currently missing, would decide to cut her at this point. You would think they would keep her just for the cliché-overcoming-the-odds-happy-ending. Then they could just wait for the viewers to vote her off. However, sitting in the Kodak Theater, Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi gave her the bad news by telling Martin how strong she was and then told her to pack her stuff. Hey, that's Hollywood.

At the age of 28, there will be no more auditions for Martin. She will be ineligible to compete next year. But with every audition bringing tragedy for her, perhaps that's a good thing. I have two words for the unlucky Angela Martin: Jennifer Hudson.

People with information about Viola Martin are being asked to call Glenwood police at 708-253-2420 or the "America's Most Wanted" hot line at 800-274-6388.