SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — Former "American Idol" contestant Alexis Cohen died early Saturday morning in New Jersey after being struck by a car in an apparent hit-and-run collision.

Cohen first auditioned for "Idol" in August 2007. Her appearance on the show's seventh season later aired in January 2008, with a video of her angry rant after being rejected quickly going viral.

"I march to the beat of a different drummer," Cohen said before her audition went south, citing Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and Pat Benetar among her influences.