A Guide to American Idol Auditions for the Wannabe Superstar: Tips, Tricks and "Idol" Secrets

So you've made the decision to try out for the sixth season of "American Idol." Congratulations. Your choice in career paths is almost as ridiculous as Simon Cowell's choice in clothing.

Just kidding.

But before you consider an "American Idol" audition you should realize a few things. One, you're in for hours upon hours of waiting, all for roughly 15 seconds of actual singing in front of people who are not Randy, Simon and Paula. Two, your chances of actually making it in front of Randy, Simon and Paula are slim to none, and way closer to none.

Three, if you do make it in front of the Big Three, chances are the self-esteem you've spent a lifetime amassing will be handily destroyed in a matter of seconds. And even if you make it past that obstacle to somehow sneak into the actual competition, your chances of actually becoming America's next Idol are virtually nonexistent.

Now if all of that naysaying hasn't deterred you, read on.

Focus


Just so you know, this article won't spend much time discussing the rules and general details of the auditions, like what cities they're taking place in and what paperwork you need to fill out beforehand. All of that is available here on the rules section of the "American Idol" website. 

Instead I'm going to tell you the kinds of things the "American Idol" website won't tell you about your audition.

I know these things because I covered "American Idol" season five from the very beginning to the Top 12 for my newspaper. I even got to go to the Top 12 party in Los Angeles. Yippeee! That was fun. Now onto the audition process...

Preliminary Auditions

This is where it all begins. Usually "American Idol" holds auditions in seven different cities, strategically spread out across the country. No matter where you live, chances are you'll be relatively close to an audition location.

Now the first audition is basically a cattle call. You will be one of thousands of people who arrive at some large venue with one goal: Make it big. Most of these people are extremely determined. Many of them have been singing or performing for most of their lives. Few people make the trip to an "American Idol" audition on a whim.