Want to be an 'American Idol' contestant? Here's how to audition
If you've always wanted to audition for "American Idol," you have a chance on Wednesday. .
That's when Ohioans are invited to register for auditions for the show via Zoom. Those who sign up online will be able to sing for and receive feedback from the show's producers.
“It's super-easy, super-accessible,” said Melissa Elfar, one of the producers who will be meeting virtually with potential contestants.
“You can audition on your phone, your computer, you can literally be anywhere. I've personally spoken to so many first-timers, people who haven't been able to audition before because they couldn't make the drive or it wasn't in their hometown or whatever. Now they're coming out and saying, here I am, now is my chance!”
How it works
Elfar has some advice for those who would like to compete.
“Take it seriously. Really prepare. Treat this as if it were a job interview. And when you do audition, bring it! Don't sing with your hands in your pocket. Really show us who you are. Don't do what you think people want you to do or act the way you think people want you to act. Be true to yourself, because it shows, and we can tell.”
Once you register, you will be given a Zoom link with a time for the audition. That will take you into a virtual waiting room, where you will receive instructions for the audition.
Ohioan and former contestant Mary Jo Young offers help
In the Ohio virtual waiting room for at least part of the day will be Mary Jo Young, who competed in the last season of "American Idol". Young, 19, lives in Willoughby Heights, Ohio, although she's planning to move soon either to Los Angeles or Nashville, Tennessee.
“I'm going to be giving people advice before they audition, and just trying to help them calm their nerves,” she said. “I won't tell people not to be stressed, because they're probably going to be nervous no matter what, but to try to think of those nerves as butterflies in your stomach, because you're excited. The most important thing is to make it fun, because it's not something you get to do every day.”
Talking with a producer
After the waiting room, auditionees will be placed into a virtual room with one of the show's producers.
“The cool thing is that you're interacting with a live person. We're going to talk with you, we're going to ask you questions. And you can ask us questions. We want to get to know you a little bit,” Elfar said.
Auditionees who make the cut will be notified before Nov. 1, and there might be a few more rounds of virtual performances before appearing in front of the show's judges. For now, though, the emphasis is on reaching as many potential contestants out there as possible.
“Without people auditioning now, we won't have a show,” Elfar said. “We want to get everyone who has ever thought about it out there. For example, Chayce Beckham, the winner of "American Idol" last season, said, 'what the heck, I'm on my lunch break, let's audition and see what happens.' Just that one little decision changed the rest of his life.”
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How to audition
• Sign up online for a Zoom audition to take place on Sept. 8.
• Interested singers can also submit a video until Oct. 15, 2021.
• If you take part in a Zoom audition, you can also submit a video.
• You may only submit one video per season.
If you registered to audition for a previous season, you must register again for this season
• You must have been born on or between June 2, 1992, and Sept. 15, 2006, to compete in this season.
• You must perform alone.
• You can accompany yourself on an instrument such as guitar or piano.
• Be prepared to sing two or three songs.
• Check the website to determine which tattoos are acceptable and which must be covered, and what clothing is permitted, and for further details about eligibility.
• If you are selected to continue on with "American Idol," a producer will contact you by phone or email before Nov. 1, 2021.
Go to www.americanidol.com/auditions for more information and to sign up for auditions or submit videos.