Jen’s Idol Audition Blog

As they always say the song is the most important decision you’ll ever make.  It defines you and your vocal capability.  So what do you do.

Choose a song that fits your vocal range.  Nothing is worse than time of the audition you end up screeching or cracking under pressure because you can’t hit that high note or reach that low one.    Don’t try to out do or over do it.

Choose a song that you can relate to and believe in.  That way you can look that judge in the eye and mean every single word that you’re singing.  Show them emotion.  Like Jlo said…you have to tell a story.

Choose a song that doesn’t take up a lot of back ground vocals or music.  When you have to sing a song with out music it should sound just as nice, if not better than it would be with the music.  That way when you sing the song it has a nice even flow with out a lot of pauses and you don’t have to count in your head when to start singing again.

Be yourself and follow your heart.  I know they say don’t sing over-used songs and popular or current artists, but if you know you can pull it off and make it your own and that’s what YOU feel comfortable singing than do it.   When I was at the Charleston audition, most of the people that got to go on to the next round were singing current songs by popular artists.  Whatever works that can make you put on the audition of a life time….DO IT.   What do you got to lose.

And lastly…..BE YOURSELF.   Don’t try to over dress.  Just wear clothes that define who you are.  That way you stand out from the rest.   I’ll admit that I over dressed.  I felt 5 years older.  So next year Im just going to wear what’s comfortable and cute for me.   And don’t act or try to rehearse because they’ll know when it’s fake and they’ll know when its genuine.

Good Luck on trying to win The American Idol Lottery. 

As the 12pm hour approached I noticed that they stopped pulling people down from  the sections to audition.   It was time for the judges to take a lunch break.  So after a good 30 minutes passed things began to wind up again.  They didn’t get to my section until around 2:30pm.  The only thing we needed to bring down to the audition floor was our ticket and our signed release form, that was it.  As I began my way down to meet my fate I wasn’t nervous at all.   You would think of all the times to be nervous it would be now..but I wasn’t.  I guess when you spent half of the day watching good singers get rejected and crazy folk get accepted you start to see things a lot more clearly.  So I wasn’t nervous at all because I just knew my chances were slim.

The other 3 in line with was a young looking white guy that wore some kacky pants and buttoned up shirt with glasses, and 2 black females.  Then there was me.  None of us looked crazy or acted crazy…we were all normal.   Once I saw my line up I’d figured we would all be let go.  We were assigned to table 6.  The judge at table 6 looked no older than 32 yr., slim framed female, nice smile and long brunette hair with a bit of high-lites.  I watched her facial expressions as each person auditioned before me..and it was always the same.   A smile.  So I figured we had a good poker face player on our hands.

I knew my chances were getting slimmer by the minute because she had already handed out 3 golden tickets before my group audition.   So it was finally our turn.  First was the white guy.  You couldn’t hear him at all, and he was quick.  Then it was the black girl next  to me….she had some movement going on as she sung but not a lot and I could hardly hear her.  Then it was MY TURN.  I stepped forward with CONFIDENCE and a big beautiful smile for all the world to see.  I approached her closely and looked her dead in the eyes and began to sing “Sweet Thang” by Chaka Khan (1st verse).  As soon as I sang I saw her poker face break.  Her eyes widened and she smiled even bigger.  I thought  “I got her!  Oh my God I think this is it..Im going thru.!”  So just seeing her reaction I poored my little soul out on the table.  Then I stopped and smiled.  She said that I looked beautiful and that I had a gorgeous smile.  With 2 compliments  I just knew I had it in the bag.   After Iwas done the last black female sang….and she suprised me.  This girl cound SAAANG.  I heard her do rifts and runs and  just belting out notes.  Then all my confidence went out the window.  lol.    Once she was done she called ALL OF US TO THE TABLE.  (Tip:  if they call you all to the table that means no one is getting a ticket).  Once she did that I knew.   She said, “I’m going to have to pass, your all not up to the standard of people we’ve been putting back today.  I’m sorry” So I just accepted my rejection with a smile and a thankyou.   And yet again she complimented me but at that point I didn’t care anymore.

We had our wrists bans cut off  and we exited to the back of the coliseum directly outside. As I took the WALK OF HONOR I didn’t feel bad at all because I knew there were dozens of pedigree vocalists that took the same walk I took.

And what made me feel even better was my husband supporting me all the way and waiting right outside for me to love me no matter what.

Once everyone was finally seated in the arena it was now time for the production staff to get shots and recordings of everyone in the arena. We had “the maestro” direct and instruct everyone on what to say, how to sing the opening song, when to clap, when to jump up and down, when to smile….I mean it just goes on and on. Oh my favorite part was when he asked a person in the crowd to stop eating because it’ll look bad on t.v. and for everyone in the front row to hide their belongings. It’s bad enough that they stripped us of our water and told us to arrive at 5:00am knowing that the doors wouldn’t open until 8:00am just so they could get an “excited to be here” crowd shot. But now we had to be subjected to singing Black Eye Peas single “Let’s get it started” over and over and over and over again. And then to only be scorned upon if you didn’t stand up or sing along because it’ll be your fault that the person next to you didn’t get a chance to be seen on t.v. Hey, I’m in the nose bleed section….why the heck would it matter. Then he had a section in the arena say, “Hello Simon, welcome to Charleston. Enjoy some southern hospitality”. It began to get tiresome and it just prolonged the day. One person in the crowd yelled out, “WHEN DO WE GET TO AUDITION?!” Feeling a bit threatened the director responded by saying that we’ll all get a chance to audition but we have to do this first for the show. He said, “don’t worry you’ll get your 30 seconds to audition”. From 9:00am to 10:40am we had to be actors and actresses for the cameras. After all, it is Holly Wood.

But once it was all over he announced that the audition process was going to begin, and boy did everyone cheer. The camera men and all the production staff seemed to of vanished. I guess they were done getting what they needed for the show. We were told that they would audition everyone by sections in the arena. First starting at the lower level and then going to the upper level. They didn’t get to my section until 2:30pm. (BTW: The stadium wasn’t completely full, they only allowed half of the upper level to be filled up. I guess if they did have the stadium completely filled the judges would be there til 10:00pm) The audition was set up by bringing 13 tables onto the stadium floor and a black curtain to go between each table. There would be 4 people standing side by side in front of each table, and one by one you are to step forward and begin to sing. No time to introduce yourself or what you’ll be singing….just step forward sing and stop when you’re told so. If they thought one person in the group was good they’d have them stand by the table while the rest were told “Thank you for coming, but you’re not what we’re looking for this season”. And the lucky person that got picked would then give out what ever information they need, handed a golden slip of paper and then told to go to an area which is behind closed doors to be given further information as to when to come back for the 2^nd round of auditions in front of the executive producers. And if they think you’re TV worthy then you’ll go in front of Randy, Paula and Simon.

As my husband and I waited for my time to audition we began to see a pattern. A lot of good and very talented singers weren’t getting through. I watched and heard from way up in my nose bleed seat, singers that poured out their song left nothing behind; put it all out on the table….and they didn’t get thru. We began to see for the most part the judges cutting all 4 singers at once. This happened to the majority of idol hopefuls. What we did notice was those that had on a bizarre outfit or awkward appearance…they were given the golden ticket. And every once and a while you’d actually see a normal person that could sing get thru. I can recall some guy dressed in Goth attire getting a ticket, a girl wearing a tiara and white prom gloves getting a ticket and the girl that wore stripper heels, booty shorts and her hair dyed a rich deep blue getting a ticket. Shocking I know. What I heard is that out of an estimated 10,000 people they were only permitted to give out 100 tickets. So the chances of letting thru a good singer was very slim considering that it is a reality show first. Naturally you would assume that crazy, interesting and entertaining people would be considered first in handing out that golden ticket. And then get someone that can sing next.

I believe that it’s like going to Vegas and putting your money on the table. You’re taking a risk and there’s just no guarantee that you’ll win but you do it anyway. If you ask me, I think it’s all with the luck of the draw. If you’re in line with the right set of people that make you stand out in a positive way, or it’s been a while sense that particular judge has handed out a ticket and he/she feels that its time and you just so happen to be next, then the chances of getting that ticket is more likely in your favor.

But just like gambling this whole process can be an addiction. I’ve encountered numerous hopefuls who’ve followed the audition from city to city and have been turned down at each audition, but yet they won’t give up. Now it’s easy to say…”What the heck are you thinking, just give up” But this is someone’s wish, dream and burning desire. You can’t let dreams die…but they will eventually once you’ve reached the age limit. So let them try and try again until their too old. What do they have to lose?

Now I know what you’re thinking…”jen, how did your audition go?” Well I’ll tell ya but just not today. I think my carpal tunnel kicking in. I gotta take a break. Type ya tomorrow.

jen

I got up at 3:30am just to be dressed and in line by 5:00am. Luckily the hotel where we stayed offered a boardwalk straight to the coliseum so we didn’t have to drive. When we got to the venue there was already a long line which added up to around 2,000 people (and remember it’s only 5:00am). There was a buzz of excitement in the air. Everyone was all smiles and laughter, and there was always someone breaking out in song just to show off. But as 5:00 am became 6:30 am, that’s when reality began to set in. It became just a little bit more quiet, some people resorted to sleeping on the pavement others just plopped down on their purses, book bags, towels…..whatever they could find.

But the silence didn’t last long because as soon as 7:00am came around the American Idol production staff was making their presence known. There was the photographer asking to take pictures of the idol hopefuls. Guys with small cameras being followed by another staff member with a clip board were taking crowd shots. Then someone with a mega-phone would give out instructions.

Our first instruction was to only bring in 1 water bottle. If you had more than one you had to get rid of it. So of course everyone was asking the next person if they needed water. I found myself wondering….. why on earth would you allow one water bottle per person. Don’t you know that Charleston is in a heat-index advisory?! Did you not watch the weather channel and notice that it’s going to be..what’s the word….HOT?! Why of all things would you take away a life substaining substance?! Why…why…why?!?!?

Sorry, I just had to vent.

After we gave away our precious water the line began to move! :O I was shocked and thrilled at the same time. But it didn’t last long, just 9 steps later we stopped. Then a American Idol staff member told us not to get to close together and to spread out because if not it’ll cause more heat. Oh and he also mentioned that we needed to get comfortable because we’ll be outside for another hour or maybe longer. (Just great) Good thing I wore flats.

Towards the front of the line there was excessive cheering and whistling. People were holding up their home-made signs. Everyone was all smiles for the cameras. It was a bit humorous to me because it was all controlled. Literally someone would direct the crowd to cheer and then with one simple gesture they would tell the crowd to stop. Talk about a production. But finally after all the photos and camera shots were taken we were being let inside….and it was only 7:45am!

Our next set of instructions as we entered into the arena was….”have your bags open for security to check, have your ticket ready and DON’T FORGET TO SMILE!” As I entered the arena I passed at least4 cameras and 2 photographers….good thing I was ready for myclose up.

So just to re-cap. We got there at 5:00am. There was already 2,000 people in line. And I was seated in the arena by 8:10am. Not too bad I suppose. It doesn’t matter what time you do line up because everyone was finally seated in the arena by 9:00am. But what does matter is how early you register. What I didn’t know was the the first day of registration people were lined up at 4:00am just to get the best ticket (best seat). Meaning the sooner you’ll be seen to audition. We got to register at 10:00am the first day and already we were on the upper level of the coliseum aka the nose bleed seats. Those who got there early were on the floor and lower level. And let me just say the WHOLE lower level was done with their auditions by 1:30 pm. So if you don’t want to be there til 5-6pm it’s in your best interest to register early.

I need to take a break, so I’ll be back in a bit to let you know about the rest of my audition day.

Jen

It’s Friday, a day before the BIG AUDITION and I woke up to a voice singing outside of my hotel room.    Now  it wouldn’t of  bothered me if this person couldn’t sing but she could.   Her name was Jessica, the reason why I know that is because after she was done singing and all the cheering died down, her entourage said “make sure you vote for Jessica!!!”

After hearing her sing I began to question my own song selections.  And I started wondering if I was just as good.   Talk about pressure…and this isn’t even the audition day.

My tip is this….focus on yourself.  Sure you’re going to come across  dozens of singers that can actually sing.  But don’t worry about them,  just concentrate on yourself.   And just know that there is no one in the world like you.  That you are an individual and no one can take that away from you.  Be yourself, focus on yourself and rely on yourself.

Now time to go practice.

It’s Thursday, August 16, 2007 down in HOT Charleston South Carolina!! Me and my husband left Charlotte early 7:30 am just to be here early for the registration process. Only 3 hrs away and we get here and there’s no line. Not even a long wait! The whole process took less than 60 seconds. We just walked out of the arena scratching our heads wondering…”that’s it?” I mean I was expecting it to be some what like the actual audition day…but boy was I wrong! But then again Friday might be a bit worse. So my advice is if you can register early than just do it. Better be early than late. The only downside is you have to wear your i.d. wrist ban until the audition process is over.

Speaking of the wrist ban..if you’re not into complete strangers walking up to you and asking you a thousand questions about your audition for american idol than I suggest you try to cover it up. But hey, if you’re into all the attention then show it off. But I will let you know that other people with that same wrist ban will be sizing you up from head to toe. It’s just a bit funny to me, I mean everyone is just staring you down wondering what you got that they ain’t got. Personally, I went to The Dollar Tree and bought a hair ban to cover it up. Yes, I am a competitor and I love idol BUT I guess until Saturday rolls around I want to be a bit low key.

Right now I’m sitting in the car waiting to check into our hotel. We weren’t expecting the first day to go by so quick! Hopefully we can check in soon, it’s only 12 :53pm and we’ve been waiting to check in sense 10:45 am. All I can say is you know when Idol is in town because you can’t help but notice all the wristbands walking around you. lol

Well that’s it for now. I’ll keep you posted!

-jen

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