It's 5 a.m. It's raining. I'm standing in a line that stretches for at least a mile. There are approximately 8,000 people ahead of me. This is "American Idol."
After two days of registration, folks began lining up dark and early Wednesday in Jacksonville for their opportunity to audition for the ratings Goliath that's the Fox singing competition.
After a 2 1/2-hour wait, my wife, Kayla, one of the Idol hopefuls, and I make our way inside the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to wait some more.
"I don't mind the wait," said 22-year-old Aisha Brown of Waycross, Ga. "At least I'm out of the rain."
That sentiment was echoed by thousands of 16- to-28-year-olds, three-page signed releases in hand, as one by one they waited their turn to sing their 30 seconds of music. With no Randy, Simon or Paula to impress, an onslaught of show producers would have to do.
For 23-year-old Port Orange resident Mitchell Casey, this moment has been a long time coming.
"I've wanted to audition for the last six years," Casey said. "But it's taken me a while to get the courage up and Jacksonville was close."
After a live appearance by host Ryan Seacrest and former Idol contestant Kimberley Locke, we are instructed that we would now be subject to some taping. Thirty-five choruses of "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves later, auditions have begun.
They point out the starting section, which is two sections over to my left. The process will continue clockwise, which for those of you keeping score at home means I will be waiting quite a long time. This leaves nothing to do but sleep or go for a walk.
Out in the concourse, the large walkways have become a makeshift performance studio with hundreds practicing for their moment. From the good to the downright painful, auditioners traversed the concourse, some drawing applause and for a few unfortunate others, boos.
Others garnered attention for more than just their singing ability.
A gentleman dressed in a large gold-sequined jacket who introduced himself as "the real David Hernandez" (and also displayed this fact on a homemade sign around his neck) didn't make the cut but will make it onto TV screens when "American Idol" comes back on the air in January. So will a man dressed as a giant golden ticket and a woman with long, flowing pink hair.
As I head back to my seat, I realize that four hours later, we have only gotten through seven sections. With 16 more to go, my spirits are dampening. We have been awake since 3:30 a.m. On top of the long wait, crankiness has begun to set in and we're both sleepy.
When I wake up from a short nap, a few more sections have gone through including that of Casey, who sang "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke.
On this day, the news would not be favorable.
"Oh well," he said. "Win or lose, I can say I tried and that's pretty cool."
Casey shouldn't worry however; he's not alone. On this day, a golden ticket to the next round seemed about as easy to come by as an actual winning lottery ticket.
But for the lucky ones, a golden ticket means a pass to Round 2. A favorable review there puts them in front of the Randy, Simon, Paula firing squad (that's Jackson, Cowell and Abdul, for Idol novices). From there, it's on to Hollywood.
But does not making the show dampen the allure of "Idol" followers like Casey?
"Not one bit," he says. "It would have been awesome but hopefully somebody in this building will be the next American Idol. That would be pretty cool."
As for Kayla's shot at stardom, like so many others it's a "maybe next time."
great story ... but where's the old mugshot? I don't like this cartoon version ... bring the real Tom back!!
I was there and I was one of the few in the first 2 sections to Audition. Before I Auditioned I watched them turn away terrific alto and soprano vocalists who could have very well been the next American Idol. The idol judges stated that they were looking for people with unique voices and there were many undique potientials. Realy I wander, were they realy looking for uniqueness or were they just (expletive) us the entire way to make their show? I think they already had their pick way before registration and way before Auditions, don't you think? I was hot and I admit it and that is why I didn't try to dress hot. I had shorts on but only to drive home in the hot sun afterwords, but as for my top it was completely covered up. Unlike many others I didn't dress to impress because I knew criticism would happen.It seems now to me regardless what I wear or any hot girl wears wether its torn up with holes or nicely impressive we will always be criticized by alot of people no matter what. And the reason for the criticism is that men can't seem to stay focused and the women judges get pissed off and they get realy jealous. tarhese are facts and that is how it also went down on wednesstday August the 13th. As for kimberly Locke, she did the samse. I dind't even know who she was that day and meeting her in person made me not want to meet her at all. Should an American idol star such as kimberly Locke act selfish and self centered to new commers to the American Idol show. Yes she acted that way towards not just me but two a cuople of others to. I guess the people voting the year she was on saw past her fakeness and most likely thats why she didn't win. I say (expletive) kimberly Locke. I don't care who you are you have no right acting the way you acted towards others with more potiential who are hotter then you. You were affended by me because i had the look and a better vvoice and you were afraid that I would have taken your spot light and thats why you didn't interview me and thats why you didn't pass me your mic while recording for T.V.. Listen Ms. thang I would love to take your spotlight and one of these days I will wehter its now or later in the future. I am not afraid. even when I'm old I'll still look good and you'll be more afraid of my look, voice and body in the future than you are now. If I was an American idol runner up or a star I would not act stuck up like you because unlike you I like to see all levels of beauty succeed and I would not ignor either one. I would treat them equally and not judge either or. I watched you interview people who you thought wouldn't steal your spot light like that girl who sanged the national anthem, and I watched you quickly snatch your microphone when she nailed every pitch of the entire song as you fakely stated and I quote " your a live one, your not afraid at all" with a fake smile. When people cheered you on I cheered along with you, but that was before I saw what you did, how you were and how you acted. I could of liked you but I don't. The impression you showed me right before the Auditions made it seem to me like that was the same impressions I would have received from the judges(not Paula, Simon, and randy), and I was right. I did indeed receive the same impression from the judges. Compared to the idole fake judges I actualy like Simon, Paula, and randy because they are honest. Unfortunately someone didn't want to see me get past that point and I don't know why. belive me or not I do have alot of people to whome would back me up 100% even though I have more than alot who are jealouse of me. Everyone knows that jealousy is always around beautiful young ladies like myself who has potiential, talent, and a heart to do right by and for others. (expletive) you Kimberly Locke, (expletive) you Ladies judging before we get to Simon, Paula, and Randy.