By Jeanine Poggi

Move over William Hung because American Idol has a new loser – University senior Blake Boshnack. Donned as Lady Liberty at his Chicago audition for the reality singing competition, the finance major from Hewlett, N.Y., proved that losing can actually mean winning.

Boshnack only sang three words to “New York, New York,” before being dismissed from the audition room by Simon Cowell with the flick of his hand and an “Out you go.”

However, even though he did not have much time to wow the judges on Idol, Boshnack has made numerous television and radio appearances since his Season 5 audition, showing America he is more than a gimmick.

“I get at least one phone call a day Idol related from publicists wanting me to make appearances,” Boshnack says as his cell phone rings with a restricted number. “The people on Good Day were really impressed by my voice.”

Boshnack has auditioned for three seasons of American Idol in seven different cities, singing in front of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson twice – but he is still waiting to receive his golden ticket to Hollywood.

“I plan on auditioning every year until I’m 28,” he said. “It’s an easy way to get out there and get seen, which I did.”

Boshnack decided to dress up as the Statue of Liberty for his audition after watching the producers put through most of the people who came with a gimmick.

“If they are going to make it and get heard so am I,” he said.

After his audition in Boston for Season 5 he was driving home with his girlfriend and they stopped in the wax museum. Here he found the Statue of Liberty costume, and with the help of his mother they put it all together.

“I didn’t want to go into the third round of auditions with the costume, but the producers said I had to leave it on,” Boshnack said. “I’m not stupid – I knew Simon wouldn’t like it.”

While Idol fans only get to watch the televised auditions with Simon, Paul and Randy, there are actually two prior rounds contestants must pass to even be heard by the celebrity judges.

The audition process is a grueling one, Boshnack said. Out of the approximately 15,000 people who audition in each city, only 150 actually see the famed judges. Once making it passed the first two rounds of the show’s producers, contestants wait over a month for their next audition.

About 3 a.m. the night before auditions, contestants wait on line for six or seven hours just to receive a wrist band. The next day they come back and take their assigned seat.

“The production staff does a good job of riling emotion,” Boshnack said. “I was put in a waiting room with nothing to do at 7 a.m. and didn’t get called for my audition until 7 p.m.”

Boshnack’s mother, who he credits for his passion for music, has accompanied him to every audition. “My mom got me into singing, she always supported me and told me to sing as much as possible because she loves my voice so much,” he said. “It’s the parents who wait for their kids who are the real Idols.”

Boshnack was in choir for most of his life and made the New York State All State Jazz Choir in high school, which only select the top 25 students in the state.

After watching Season 5 on television, Boshnack said he is annoyed and frustrated.

“They let a lot of people through that weren’t that good,” he said. “I can sing. Next time I am coming back with out a costume. This is the real me and hopefully they will like my voice.”