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.