Local teen Ashley Stephens will be excited as she walks across the stage to receive her diploma during Brookhaven High School’s graduation ceremony next Friday.

     Between high school and college, graduations are a once or twice in a lifetime achievement for most people. But for Stephens, the night before will hold perhaps even more excitement, the excitement of something that for most people will never be even once in a lifetime.

     Thursday at 7 p.m. local time is the debut episode of the new ABC television show “Duets” and Stephens will appear on the premier episode.

     In a Friday interview Stephens had to be thin on details, but the 18-year old Brookhaven native will be seen singing for Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first season of “American Idol.”

     “Duets” is the latest singing talent show, with successful contestants eventually paired off with major music stars, among them Clarkson and John Legend, to perform duets.

     For the initial audition, Stephens sent in an audition video around March 22. Then she got a phone call and she found out she was headed to Nashville.

     She’d made it to the second round of auditions and would have the opportunity to sing for Clarkson. From there, Clarkson would choose her partners for the show.

     When that phone call came, Stephens had trouble controlling herself.

     “I leaned over in my seat and was trying to be cool about it, but I was freaking out,” Stephens said.

     Stephens said she has to keep quiet about what she sang in her audition, but she was asked to sing one of the songs she included on her original audition tape.

     And though she wasn’t chosen as one of Clarkson’s final two duet partners, Stephens offered a teaser of what viewers watching for Stephens can expect.

     “I had the opportunity to sing one on one with Kelly,” Stephens said.

     Stephens said meeting Clarkson was almost as much of a reward as making it onto the show would have been.

     “I can remember being 7, 8, and seeing her perform,” Stephens said. “I’m a diehard ‘American Idol’ fan. I’ve never missed an episode. That was so cool to meet the original American Idol.”

     Stephens was determined to keep her cool in front of Clarkson, carefully practicing so that she would be prepared.

     And then it came time for the actual audition.

     “As soon as I walked in all that went out the window because I could not believe I was standing in front of her,” Stephens said.

     Auditioning for a television talent show wasn’t new for Stephens.

     “It’s a joke in my family; I think I’ve tried out for every show,” Stephens said.

     She’s previously tried out for “American Idol,” “X Factor” and “America’s Got Talent.”

     “It’s one of those things you feel like is a shot in the dark, but you try anyway,” Stephens said.

     Stephens is the daughter of Marti and Carolyn Stephens. She’s been singing since she was 8 and credited her family with providing much encouragement to her.

     Following her graduation, Stephens plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and major in recording industry.

     She’s not sure what the future holds, but she’s optimistic and opens to lots of ideas.

     “As long as my future has some kind of music in it, whether that’s teaching it or doing it, I’m happy,” Stephens said.