How to Audition for American Idol

Unfortunately talent isn't the end all/be all to "making it" in any artistic endeavor, especially in American Idol. You have to have a plan, a hook, the ability to sell the goods and the actual goods to deliver to be chosen to make it through an American Idol audition. Here are some tips:

The Look

---Lead with the IT factor, then wow them with the talent. One woman brought a rather campy outfit to her American Idol audition. She wore one hot pink stiletto and a lime green stiletto. The shoes matched, just not in color. They corresponded to the rest of her attire, and she matched impeccably. It was eccentric, but just in a way to make the judges notice. And that's the aim. Make the American Idol judges notice you--in a good way.

When the judges questioned the woman, she said she couldn't make her mind as to which shoe to wear, so she chose both. And she made it work. If you are going to do eccentric, the key is you have to make it work. Otherwise you just look nutty like the rather large woman who kept showing up wearing all yellow and looking like a chicken.

---Remember that the American Idol judges are looking for a pop star. Look edgy, but not nutty. Fine line, but there's a definite line. If you have a problem deciding what that means, start being a student of those around you and those you see on TV. What catches your eye...in a good way?

---Let your enthusiasm and personality shine through. Again, it's all about that IT factor, says Simon Cowell. American Idol depends on performers to wow the studio audience and captivate the hearts of those at home waiting to vote. If you are personable, genuine/sincere, you stand a better chance than those who come in with a Ken/Barbie demeanor; that is, wooden and/or perky for no real reason. This may not come naturally to you, so you may have to practice in front of people to make it work.

The Sound

---Be able to sing. Sounds like a no-brainer if you want to be an American Idol, but we've all watched the hideous outtakes of those who swear they overwhelm friends and family with their talent. They may overwhelm their loved ones, but it's not with their singing. Forget what your parents tell you, or the aunts you've subjected to holiday talent shows since you were four years old.. Get some opinions from people who don't know you. Make a tape and ask a friend to pass it around to those who don't know you and don't care if they'll hurt your feelings. Simon Cowell doesn't care if he hurts your feelings. Get used to it.

---Don't choose a song considered stylized by the person who made it famous. So many walk in and try to perform either Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson and the shoes are just too big to fill. Unless you are that rare singer, you will fail.

---If you are choosing an old standard, and part of your sell is that you can rework and/or arrange music to fit your style, do so now. David Cook did a version of Michael Jackson's Billy Jean while on Idol. His was by no means a remake of a famous song. The song he sang was clearly his own. The audience learned they knew the words, the song, but every piece of it was of David Cook's own making.

---Know the words to the song!

The Performance

---Save the slapstick. You've seen the Idol judges rolling their eyes at many a performance over the years. All of the gyrating and spastic gestures detract from issue at hand, the singing.

---No props or visual aids.

---Have a can-do attitude. Sometimes the song you've chosen or the way you are performing it doesn't tell the Idol judges what they need to know. They may ask for a small sample of something else you can do. Be prepared. Don't go in just knowing one song top to bottom. You need to be able to roll with whatever they throw at you. The aim is to see your range and to see how you perform under pressure.

After the song

---Listen to the judges. Unless you are abysmal, they'll ask a question or two. Rehearse some scenarios before you go in to put your mind at ease. Know that the main thing they will want to know is 1)why you came to audition, and 2)do you have what it takes to be the next American Idol. It's not rocket science. If you can't anticipate these two questions, you should stay home. The questions and tasks will only get harder as the weeks go on.

Overall

---Treat every performance as if it were your last, because it just may be.