NORTH ATTLEBORO -- The trio of celebrity judges gave local `` American Idol'' contestant Ayla Brown a lukewarm reception Tuesday night, but another panel of `` judges'' at Signature's restaurant was clearly in her corner.

And their opinions count.

Or, at least, their votes do.

Friends, family, and curious onlookers turned out to support the 17-year-old Wrentham native in her quest for `` Idol'' stardom, as she performed in Tuesday night's episode as one of the top 8 women contestants.

Brown is still standing in the national competition that started with thousands wannbes and is now down to just 16 contestants, four of whom will be eliminated on Thursday. If the group at Signature's has any say in the matter, Brown won't be one of them.

`` I vote, and then I vote, and then I vote,'' said Sherry Rhyno, former campaign manager for Brown's father, state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, and wife of North Attleboro Selectmen Chairman John Rhyno.

Ayla Brown's mother, WCVB-TV newscaster Gail Huff, was also on hand at the gathering, as was her younger sister, Arianna.

For Tuesday night's performance, Brown sang `` Unwritten'' by Natasha Bedingfield, an upbeat, contemporary number and a departure from her previous choice of emotional, unhurried ballads.

Looking sporty chic, Brown gave a performance that seemed to take into account the judges' earlier comments about a stiff, somewhat `` robotic'' style.

Her three minutes on stage centered as much on movement and emotion as straight singing.

The judges had mixed responses.

Randy Jackson thought the song choice was just `` OK,'' because it didn't show off her vocal range and left her performance lacking the `` wow factor.''

He said a song with a five-note range is `` not going to show that you've got, like, `it.'''

Paula Abdul said she admires Brown because she `` fights the fight every week'' and gives her all. She called Brown's choice this week somewhat of a risk, but one Abdul said she thought the singer handled well. Simon Cowell -- gasp -- said he actually sort of liked Brown's performance, which sent the crowd at Signature's into hysterics.

`` It was pretty good, actually,'' Cowell said, eliciting surprised shouts and sighs of relief from partygoers who were apparently waiting to hear the worst.

Cowell did suggest that Brown let the audience see the `` younger' side of her that comes through in interview clips aired before her performances.

So what did the audience at Signature's think?

Pick your adjective.

Drop-dead gorgeous. Poised. Magnificent-looking. Multitalented. Absolutely wonderful.

Brown got high marks off the stage as well.

`` She's a winner, no matter how you slice it, and we're all proud of her,'' said state Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, who was watching this season's `` American Idol'' for the first time because she's been out every night it's on.

`` We'll vote early and often,'' Poirier said. `` It's the only time we can vote more than once in the same election.''

`` We know about voting,'' added husband and former state Rep. Kevin Poirier.

The results of audience voting will be aired this Thursday in an episode that starts at 8 p.m. on the Fox Network.

But Kevin Poirier said he thinks Ayla Brown is safe.

`` She's not stuck in the mud, she's going to go on,'' he said.

John Rhyno agreed, but said regardless of what happens, he's a fan.

`` Yeah, Ayla Brown's in the top 8, and she's also a real person -- win, lose, draw, whatever,'' he said. `` She's certainly captured my appreciation.''

LAUREN CARTER can be reached at 508-236-0339 or at lcarter@thesunchronicle.com.