Fox’s American Idol debuted in 2002. When watching American Idol, we are given the impression that if you have a good voice you too can make it to instant fame. However, the more popular the show has gotten, the less attainable the dream has become. On TV they show a shot of everyone lined up outside leading us to believe they will all be going in to see the famed three judges. This doesn’t happen until months later though. There are three preliminary rounds to get through before receiving a ticket to actually audition, on TV, for another golden ticket to Hollywood. There are many other hidden secrets to what American Idol actually is. How do I know? Personal experience.
At about four o’ clock in the morning, I peeled myself out of the motel bed and started to get ready for what was thought would be the most exciting day of my life. As I ran the iron through my hair, foolish memories and wishful thinking began to fill my mind. In the half hour that I was primping I even practiced my “interview” with Ryan Seacrest. At 4:30 am sharp after donning my special audition outfit and making sure I had all legal documents required to audition, it was time.
We were in Pittsburg, PA at the only logical place to hold over 12,000 people; Heinz Field stadium, the home of the Steelers. A wrist band with the American Idol logo stamped on it was required to even gain entrance into the parking lot past security. The night before, we received instructions to be there 5 a.m. on audition day. I arrived on time and along with 12,000 others, was ready to get the ball rolling. Going in to the process, most assume they’ll have to do some monkeying around for the cameras. After all this is not just a talent show; it’s a ‘reality’ show.
After hours of camera men going back and forth over the massive crowd, and young guys and girls alike trying to throw themselves into the shot, the line started to move. When moving forward we were told to go quickly and that if we found any patrons sleeping to wake them up immediately. If you get trampled, it’s your own fault. There were ambulances and cop cars outside the stadium just for this reason. There was even a young lady who was carried out on a stretcher because her neck was stepped on a few hundred times due to not waking up when they open the gates.
Before entrance, a search is required. Fox warned us and made it clear in writing that we were not allowed to wear logos, bring food, stereos, hibachi grills (still a bit confused by that one), sleeping bags, pillows, weapons, or large bags. When cleared to go inside, it is presumed that the auditions will begin. We were all given sections and once seated a surplus of camera men entered. They threw us a large American Flag to hold in the air so there’d be a clear shot of it. We were then told to sing “Firework” by Katy Perry over and over until the producers were satisfied. Ryan Seacrest arrived shortly after and it was time to act as the mega host’s background as he did his takes for TV, no auditions yet.
After what felt like a century, the long morning was coming to an end and auditions were beginning. There were 10 tents set up with one to three judges in each. Contestants audition in groups of four at a time, and were given approximately ten seconds to sing a song of their choice. Be careful though with choice of song, many were turned away simply because the judges were tired of hearing the same song over and over. They have no mercy. There are two exits, (one leading to the next round, the other out of the stadium) and many rows of people in between. When you’re there it is obvious what the show does. There are lines broken up into two categories. One being the actual good singers, and the other being ‘blooper material’ (the terrible singers and of course the ridiculously costumed). When trying out, one has to have to sign a legal document stating that you are not misrepresenting yourself in any way, shape, or form in order to get to the next round. What you are today, you better be the day you audition on TV.
My faith in the show was lost when the girl next to me was ushered through (without even auditioning) only because of her utterly obscene outfit. I knew American Idol was a “reality” TV show, but I didn’t quite get it until that moment. At almost 7 pm, my section was up next to sing. The snarky guards and producers freed us from our spot and sarcastically wished us luck, knowing what a long shot it was. One judge was in the tent when I got there, and I went first. She had a slight smile, nothing crazy though. After the four of us gave our best renditions of our songs, we were told we were “good but just young”. We were thanked for coming and told to exit on the left. All hope was lost when our wrist brands were cut and the dream was no longer alive
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