More than 6,000 superstar-hopefuls came out to Invesco Field at Mile High Friday with songs in their heart and aspirations of fame as “American Idol” held auditions for its eleventh season.
The would-be contestants didn’t actually get to sing for the regular “Idol” judges – Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez – rather, they belted out their numbers before a panel of “Idol” producers in the hopes they will be picked for the next round.
Denver was picked as one of six cities to hold auditions for the wildly popular Fox series. Registration began Wednesday, but continued this morning. Contestants started gathering at the stadium around 5 a.m.
Asia Jones, 19, said, “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m going to Hollywood!”
Paul Neary, 23, said he was hopeful to make it to the next round but enjoyed auditioning just for the experience.
“You can’t leave with less than you came,” Neary said.
Denver native Virginia Hamilton, 15, said, “I’m so excited that they moved the age down so that I could do it this year.”
Last season, the show lowered its age limit for contestants from 16 to 15.
“Today seems like a great day. I hope I make it,” Hamilton said as she held up a yellow banner reading “Virginia’s Vision for Victory!”
Hamilton said she plans to sing for the judges “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood.
Tasia Longoria, 26, originally from Hawaii but currently a student Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology, said, “I’m here because I’m the next American Idol. I’m making history right now.”
Longoria said she prepared for the audition with “many showers and karaoke nights.” She said she plans to sing the song “At Last” made famous by Etta James.
The line began moving around 8 a.m. as the Hollywood aspirants were ushered inside where each contestant was given just 45 seconds to prove his or her worth before a panel of judges.
Mackenzie Babcock, 18, from Greeley said, “Once you get in there, the stadium is so full of energy it really pumps you up and gets you excited. But when they call your section is when it hits you.”
This was Babcock’s second time auditioning for the show after trying out for the 2009 auditions in Denver. This is the third time Denver has been chosen as a destination city.
“I’m hoping this year I can say that I made it,” Babcock said.
The other cities hosting “Idol” auditions for the upcoming season are St. Louis, Portland, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Houston.
Staff writer W. Paul Smith can be reached at 303-954-1042 or at psmith@denverpost.com.
