Indie Singer Jackie Tohn Talks About Her 'American Idol' Experience

Millions of viewers watch "American Idol" each season, hoping to see both the good and bad performers who want their chance at the music industry's brass ring. As Season 8 contestant Jackie Tohn points out, however, there are many things going on behind the scenes that viewers rarely get a chance to see.

Jackie Tohn, "American Idol" and life on the "Q-R" list

In a telephone interview with Associated Content, Tohn, 29, talked about the detailed "American Idol" audition process.

"I live in LA and I was working on that show 'The Closer' while the auditions were going on," Tohn said. "I missed the auditions. In the past, I never even considered it-I never even looked up the dates online any other year. I never got into the whole thing because I was busy playing shows, trying to make it as an Indie artist."

Tohn, who had guest-starring roles on "Angel," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and other shows, didn't know how well the "American Idol" producers would take to someone who had been on television before.

"But in Hollywoodland, where there are 'A', 'B' and 'C' Celebrities, I'm like a 'Q-R' celebrity," Tohn said, laughing. "From where I was sitting, there was no reason why that should keep me off the show, but I understand they want to pluck people from obscurity."

"American Idol" wristbands, audition booths and green tickets

After missing the Los Angeles auditions, Tohn headed to New York City to stand in line with 18,000 other "American Idol" hopefuls. Even though she is a self-proclaimed "Q-R" celebrity, she went through the process with everyone else.

"The first day you go and get your wristband. You go there around four in the morning-they don't even open the doors until 10 or 11 or 12," Tohn said, laughing. "The earlier you get there, the closer you are to the front, so your wristband indicates where you sit the next day in the arena. I was in the middle-there were people who were way after me and way before me."

With a wristband, ticket and an optional friend in hand, the New York hopefuls arrived at the arena auditions the next day.

"There are about 13 booths set up, and each booth has two producers in it. They take you up by section, with four contestants in each booth. We each sing, they say "Thank you very much. No, no, no-yes. Jackie gets a green ticket," she said.

That green ticket allowed Tohn to go backstage into what she called "the bowels of the arena."

"I about fell on the floor. I honestly don't know what I did that was better than other people, as far as I'm concerned. Ultimately, there were a couple of hundred kids there (back stage)," Tohn said.

"A million cuts before the ('American Idol') judges see anyone"

At that level, "American Idol" hopefuls meet the executive producers who decide if they are going through to the judges.

"They put 150 people through on the day that we are going to the judges, which is like a few days later," Tohn said. "We get there and they say 'Listen you guys, we are really sorry to tell you this, but the judges don't have the time today to see all of you. We are going to have to cut half of you now.' "

Out of 18,000 singers, Tohn said the "American Idol" judges saw about 60 people.

"There's like a million cuts before the judges hear anyone. I heard better singers out there than I ever heard in my life and they never make it through. They tried out five years in a row and never made it. That's how it goes. For every artist, you have to consider that possibility for yourself. It's not only having the talent-it's where preparation meets opportunity," she said.

With many great singers not making it through to the judges, one has to wonder why and how bottom-tier contestants like William Hung get their "15 seconds of fame," but Tohn says to keep in mind that the "American Idol" producers are making a television show.

"You look at a show like 'Survivor' and you say 'How can that guy be on the show?' Of course he's on the show because he's mean to everybody. He's going to make great drama. He's going to make great television. For the same reason, that's why the guy in the banana suit is going to audition for 'American Idol.' They are making TV and it is fun to watch," she said.

Tohn also said that the people in the banana suits aren't taking anything away from the contestants who are really talented. "The people who are talented and don't make it aren't making it anyway. If that didn't take anyone through who was a joke, 90 percent of the good people would still not make it because there are not enough spots. The people that bother me on the show are the ones that aren't a joke, but they aren't great," she said.

"Hollywood Week" and "The Green Mile" for "American Idol" Season 8

Tohn originally auditioned for "American Idol" in August 2008. "Hollywood Week was November, they picked the 'Top 50' and did the 'Green Mile' in January. They picked the 'Top 36' in February and started the show right away. From August to February, I was completely involved and signed a bunch of contracts. That was already six months of my life," she said.

During that time, Tohn, who also is an actress, was not allowed to do any acting jobs.

"If I got a movie, even if it was a small part, I would be jeopardizing my chances of doing 'Idol.' But I wasn't even picked yet-that was just 'Hollywood Week,' " she said.

Still, Tohn views the investment of time as being totally worth it.

"The only thing I wish was that last year was a 'Top 24' year instead of a 'Top 36' year. They let a lot of us go at once-they let 24 people go in like a week. By the time there was a Top 12, America had only seen the people in the Top 12 just once. Every other year, the people in the Top 12 are the tried-and-true people."

Life after "American Idol"

Jackie Tohn may have been cut early during Season 8, but nothing has been cutting into her career. Tohn's appearance on "American Idol" has allowed her to work the college music circuit, something she has wanted to do for a very long time. Her album "Beguiling" also is available on iTunes and CD Baby.

For more information on Jackie Tohn's live tour and upcoming albums, check out her official Web site.