Women swooned, men gyrated and a roaring crowd did its best “American Idol” impersonation Saturday night at a talent show.

Media studies major Desmond Bynum (a.k.a. Desi of the 3,000 family) hosted one of the year’s first talent shows.

The talent show, originally slated for 7 p.m., was delayed until 8:10 p.m. Lil’ Rel eased the crowd’s anticipation by cracking jokes about production mistakes during the original start time.

Lil’ Rel, who has performed at NIU before, kept the crowd laughing throughout the show.

The first act was performed by Helena Elana, Verlanda Torry, and Asha Harris of Chicago’s singing trio Epiphany.

Dressed in the latest fashions, the ladies gracefully glided across the stage while their love songs harmoniously whispered sweet nothings.

The following act, the Juke Squad coed dance team, had the crowd’s full attention. Women in the audience cheered wildly as six of the male dancers gyrated to Ginuwine’s hit single “In Those Jeans.” Two audience members received 30 seconds of fame during a “106 and Park” style rap competition.

“I didn’t know about the competition. I just came to the show because my cousin was performing,” Mylo Torry said.

To finish up the show, the male singing group D.T.O. (Different Than Others) wooed the ladies in the audience with charming verses.

Spilla, a member of D.T.O., e-mailed Desi of the 3,000 family about performing at NIU after hearing of a similar event.

Although the talent show lasted more than an hour, several entertainers left an enthusiastic audience satisfied.

Verlanda Torry and Asha Harris, both of singing trio Epiphany from Chicago, were the first to perform a love song at the talent show at the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium on Saturday night.