http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/09/091101/about-9000-pack-amway-arena-sing-\
idol-producers/news-breaking/
 

It's time for wannabe 'Idols' to sing for stardom


Tribune photo by JAY CONNER
Thousands are at Orlando's Amway Arena to sing for producers of "American Idol."
Only 200 are expected to move to the next round of auditions.









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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 9, 2009
Updated: 11:01 am

Related Links

'Idol' in Orlando gallery
ORLANDO - "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest tried to pump the 9,000-plus people
waiting to audition for the show's ninth season but many of them were already
excited.
"We've been here for hours and we're ready to sing," said Tovia Gibbs, a
27-year-old mother from Tampa. "Singing is what I love, it's what I do," said
Gibbs who came with friend and fellow singer Chantel Gonzalez, 26, and also a
mom. Both perform in a local all-girl group called Bronze.
 
"This is our chance but if we don't make it, we will keep on singing anyway,"
Gibbs said
Seacrest told the crowd: "This is Orlando and Florida's chance to show America
what you've got."
 
He arrived just before 8 a.m. to tape a 30-second introduction that took about
90 minutes to set up.
 
The wannabe idols, who had been corralled in a parking lot for hours, were
herded like cattle on to the steps of Orlando's Amway Arena.
 
When Seacrest arrived, the crowd went wild. "We're in Orlando and this is the
next American Idol!" he told the screaming throng.
 
"The next 'American Idol' better come from Orlando because I'm sweating like a
pig,' he said following the taping of his brief introduction.
 
"This show just keeps getting bigger and better," he noted. "We've come a long
way since that first season. And despite all the craziness that goes on here we
really do help some people achieve their dream."
 
His advice for wannabe singers; "Just shut up and sing," he said. "You've only
got 30 seconds some make it good. Make sure you pick the right song. And make
sure you know the lyrics. I can't tell you how many times I have seen someone
who has prepared for years get up there and forget the words to a favorite
song."
 
Producer Patrick Lynn, who used a bullhorn while standing on a stepladder to
direct contestants, said they spent almost two hours setting up and taping the
opening shot. He said it may only last 30 seconds in the actual show.
 
"But this is a very important shot because it establishes that we are in
Orlando," he said.
 
Lynn said they specifically scouted the location at the Amway because of the
impressive steps leading to the Orlando arena. Thousands of excited contestants
were visible and screamed loudly for the segment that will open next season.
 
The crowd was filled with characters – literally. There was a Zorro, two
Supermans, a caveman, a kid wearing an Indian headdress, women dressed in
evening gowns, Goths, punkers and Quatrele Smith, an 18-year-old high school
graduate who rode a bus from two days from Oklahoma.
 
"I flew in from Heaven," he said, explaining why he was wearing white feathered
angel wings and an Afro wig.
 
Ambrea Whisman, a 17-year-old high school student from Cocoa Beach wore a
cheerleader outfit hoping to attract the same kind of attention that "Bikini
Girl" did last season.
 
There were many fresh-faced teens with their parents. "We are seeing more young
people than ever before at the auditions," said Lynn. "I was expecting maybe
5,000 in Orlando but this is impressive."
 
Last year's runner-up Adam Lambert inspired many contestants to wear punk rock
outfits and apply heavy eyeliner. "That's well and good, but we already found
Adam Lambert," Lynn said. "You need to be original. We're looking for people who
are entertaining."
 
That includes outlandish characters that will get passed through the audition
process to meet the four judges – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and
Kara DioGuardi. All of them will be in Orlando in August to see those who make
it that far.
 
Just before a rainstorm hit Orlando, the crowd was ushered inside the arena
where they must perform for about 30 seconds before the first round talent
scouts.
 
Among those waiting their turn was Keisha Gill, 20, music major from Auburndale
who likes Broadway show tunes but will sing anything. "I would be stupid not to
try this," she said.
 
Samantha Leigh, 22, from Tampa's Citrus Park, won a talent competition at a
mall, besting about a 100 competitors. As the "Tampa Idol," sponsored by Fox
affiliate WTVT, Channel 13, she got to move to the head of the line. "It's the
dream of anyone who can sing to be on 'Idol,'" she said. "I'm excited I sing
with a couple of bands in Tampa and I auditioned for 'Idol' when I was 17. But
I've learned a lot since then."
 
Auditions continued throughout the day. Lynn said everyone would be heard. "We
can judge the first round very quickly," he said. "I can tell within 15 seconds
if a person is ready to move on.
 
He expects about 200 people to get call backs for the next round before the
executive producers next month in Orlando. And from there, a handful will move
on to sing for the big four.. Those auditions are closed to the media.


"They don't know what it's like to be a fan, ya know, to truly love some silly
piece of music or some band so much that it hurts." ~ Almost Famous

"It's nice to stay in that semi-informed fantasy land where [he] is just real
enough to have a personality and just unreal enough to be perfect." ~ Me


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