American Idol – just about anybody and everybody wants to be the next one! So do you have it in you? Read on to find out how to go about preparing for the American Idol auditions, and how to absolutely convince them YOU are the one they are looking for.
American Idol is not just a singing competition – it is a platform, a dream, a legend in the making. American Idol is the face of the youth – daring, dynamic, dashing and very talented. It is the apple of every person’s eye. The feeling of being out there, up on that stage, all the lights shining down on you, people going crazy just to hear you, your voice, your song, everybody clapping, screaming, shouting, cheering for you, and then the deafening applause and whistles follow… it sure must feel like being the king of the world. There is something intoxicating about being in control of so many people – they follow your dressing style, they wanna know your labels, you have them enraptured! It is indeed a heady feeling. But before you achieve any of that, you have to survive through days and weeks of trials, tests and auditions. You have to make your mark form day 1 and you have to convince them, at any cost, that YOU are the next youth icon; YOU are the next American Idol. How do you do that? I am here to tell you just that.
Audition Tips for American Idol
Song Selection
Be sure to select a song that complements and suits your voice. Be comfortable with your song, know the lyrics by-heart, and rehearse! Practice till you are confident about performing the song. Practice till you feel the song in your blood, in your cells, to the last atom of your body. It is important to perform with conviction. You have dreamed of it, you have waited for it, you have given it all your life; let that show. Let that be evident in the way you throw your voice, in the way you hold the mic, in the way you sing. Do not select a song just to impress the judges. Even if it is a less-known song, if it is something you really love, something you have always wanted to perform before an audience then go for it.
Attire
Your outfit and your appearance is going to be the first thing that will register in the judge’s minds, even before your voice does. So dress to make a statement. But that does not mean you plan on being a vision and end up being a sight! Choose an outfit that will make you look trendy, chic, cool and stylish. But do not choose something that will make you look like a poser. Do not select an outfit that you are not comfortable in. Even though your attire is important, ultimately it is your voice that is going to land you the title American Idol. So don’t lose focus in your bid to impress the judges. make sure you choose an outfit that will complement the genre of the song you have chosen to sing at the auditions. You don’t wanna turn up looking like a punk kid, and then sing ‘It’s a Love Story, baby just say yes‘ or some such romantic Country song!
Attitude and Body Language
While being confident is important, don’t be over-confident. Be sure of what you know, what you are capable of. Don’t let the judges and their remarks or comments intimidate you. But at the same time, do not act like a veteran, cos you are not. Your body language and attitude should reflect confidence and cool, without being careless or cold. Show you are, and actually be genuinely interested in honest feedback. Even if they say they didn’t like your performance, do not let that bring you down. Honestly and frankly ask them what you lacked, where you failed, and what they think you should work on. The way you carry yourself should not put the judges off. At the same time, you should not appear weak, or desperate. Though you want to make them realize how important American Idol is for you, you do not want them to feel like you are begging to be taken in!
Words, Words, Words…
If the judges like your performance, chances are they will ask you a few questions. They wanna know more about you. This is your first test. The judges may ask you trick questions, to see what kind of a person you are, to judge if you are going to be able to handle the pressure of being in the competition. At such times, you may be intimidated, anxious, nervous or you may simply get-tongue tied. On the other hand, you may be so sure of yourself that you end up sounding arrogant. Be very careful while answering any questions the judges ask you. Do not make blatant statements like ‘I am what you are looking for’, ‘I am the best you can find anywhere’; at the same time, do not opt for flattery either. ‘I love you guys!’, ‘You guys are the best!’, ‘I just came here to see you!’ – NO. Absolutely DO NOT make such statements. Not only is it a great turn-off, it is simply uncool.
Don’t Pretend
American Idol is not just about being a singer. See what the title says – American IDOL. IDOL. You are – if you win – going to come to define what everybody should want to be. And that is a big responsibility – to represent a people, to represent the youth of a country. Do not put on a show of being someone you are not. Let people do the pretending – let THEM want to be you. Do not pretend or try to copy or imitate anyone – even if they are YOUR idols. Be especially sure of not imitating the voice of any of the American Idol Winners, or any other artist even. Be original. Nothing repulses more than someone trying to be somebody they are not, someone trying too hard. Be yourself, make your mark as YOU.
Contesting for American Idol gives you the chance to be in the league of Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks, David Crook, Jordin Sparks and others. These people realized their dreams, and so can you – if you have the right attitude, the right approach and the gift of voice. It is the chance of a lifetime – go for it!
