Ellen DeGeneres & Kara DioGuardi Promise to Help Former “Idol” Contender Angela Martin

Angela Martin was shockingly axed from "American Idol" just one place shy of the Top 24, and on Friday, she opened up about getting cut on "The Ellen DeGeneres" show.

The 28-year-old powerhouse singer revealed that she tried not to cry before meeting with the judges where she eventually learned she didn't make the Top 24 cut.

"I was preparing myself to be strong and talk to you guys, but then I saw the pictures of my daughter and I just fell apart," Angela said, referring to the screen to the right of the judges that showed images of the "Idol" contenders and their families as they awaited their news. "I'm like I failed [her. I was going to have to] tell her mommy didn't make it."

Ellen, the newest judge on "Idol," seemed apologetic for Angela missing out on the reality singing competition, which she won't be able to try out for next year due to "Idol's" age limit.

"Of all years, it is just like — it's a crazy group of people… I don't know, it's my first year and there's a strong group of people," Ellen said.

But Ellen put a positive spin on Angela's departure.

"I have a little surprise for you… Kara DioGuardi… She is going to write you a song, you're going into a studio, she is going to produce a song for you," Ellen said as Angela hugged her and wouldn't let go. "We're gonna get you a record label. See? See how things turn out?"

Angela also gave an update on her missing mother, Viola Martin. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Angela's mother has been missing since Christmas, but she said "America's Most Wanted" helped lead them to a tip, giving the family hope Viola is still alive.

"'America's Most Wanted' called the detectives on the case and the detectives called my older sister and said they found her… on the South Side of Chicago, so we ran out looking for her and a guy at a liquor store said, 'You just missed her three hours ago.' So I'm like, 'My mom's alive,'" Angela told Ellen. "A weight was just lifted off me then and we started looking for her again and we just keep looking."


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VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 9
PLAY IT NOW: Access Archives: At Home With Simon Cowell (2002)
PLAY IT NOW: 'Idol' Contestant Angela Martin: 'I Need The World To Help Me Find My Mother'

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Angela Martin - Ellen DeGeneres - TV - Reality TV - Kara DioGuardi

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