| It's time for wannabe 'Idols' to sing for stardom 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. By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune Published: July 9, 2009 Updated: 11:01 am 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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