Thursday, August 23, 2007
American Idol Wannabes try out for show in Miami
MIAMI (WSVN) -- Thousands of American Idol contestants have come to Miami in hopes of accomplishing their dreams of becoming the next American Idol.
People from all over the nation waited outside the American Airlines Arena starting around 5 a.m. for Wednesday's competition day until Idol producers opened the Triple A's doors at 8 a.m. to give the wannabe Idols an ear. The producers will then decide whether those auditioning will stand before Simon, Randy and Paula for their chance to make it to Hollywood.
Deco Drive's seven Fast Pass winners were allowed inside the arena doors around 7:30 a.m. to sing in front of the producers. As Fast Pass winners, they did not have to pre-register to receive wristbands for Wednesday's audition like thousands of others did on Monday and Tuesday.
Everyone who registered and received a wristband got their assigned seat and their guaranteed 30 seconds in front of the producers. "You know, the thing that makes it different from this year to past years is that the bar has been raised again," said Senior Producer for American Idol, Patrick Lynn. "We say that every year, but we are not looking for the next Jordin Sparks or Carrie Underwood. We're looking for the next fill-in-the-blank."
At around 8 a.m. Ryan Seacrest arrived on the scene to shoot some footage for the show. "I have pit sweat, and I have chest sweat," said Seacrest. "We are ready to hear almost 10,000 people sing."
All day today, those who want to compete on American Idol will be coming in and out the Triple A. Upon exiting, Idol producers have assigned two different doors, one for the winners, the other for the losers. The winners will go on to perform in front of the show's star judges who will decide who goes to Hollywood, California for more rounds of auditions.
On Monday, Idol producers allowed 50 would-be contestants to enter the Arena at a time to receive their wristbands for today. "It's very hype right now, everyone is showing so much love," said Le-Andrea, as she waited outside the arena's doors before dawn Monday morning.
American Idol hopeful, Jennifer, got to the front of the registration line as a finalist of Channel 7's Fast Pass Deco Drive competition.
Jenny, who drove down from Idaho is planning on singing "The greatest Man I Never Knew" by Reba Mcentire. "I just really want to hear a soprano on the radio. I want someone that sings higher," said Jenny when asked why she thought she was the next American Idol.
(Copyright 2007 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
