Olivarez 's friends talked her into auditioning in 2002 for the second season of '' American Idol '' . She performed Irene Cara 's " Out Here On My Own " in the semi-finals . During a following round where contestants write their own numbers , Olivarez impressed the judges with her song " The Only Thing Special About You Is Me " . She moved into the top 32 contestants of the season . When she reached the top judges she switched to Queen 's " Bohemian Rhapsody " . They compared her to singer and actress Bette Midler . She was in the final twelve and she performed The Supremes ' " You Keep Me Hangin ' On " . Soon after she was eliminated from American Idol , she lent her celebrity status to support animals ' rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals . She posed naked for their " I would rather go naked than wear fur " campaign . The ad was first unveiled in Herald Square in middle of Manhattan and also ran in Atlanta . She also did a benefit for Atlanta Humane Society and The Station nightclub fire
The Station nightclub fire
The Station nightclub fire
Vanessa Olivarez