American Idol Experience

As many of you know, a few weeks ago I was asked--along with a few other entertainment industry professionals--to help with rehearsals by auditioning as a contestant at the new American Idol Experience attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The whole day ended up being an awesome "experience" (pun intended)!

We arrived that morning, and in the Coca-Cola lounge, I was given a video iPod loaded with karaoke tracks of American Idol arrangements of about 50 songs, and I could choose my first and second choices for the audition. I chose Bohemian Rhapsody and I Will Survive, respectively.

I went into my audition for the producers and sang my first choice. They gave me a few pointers and then showed a video of Ryan Seacrest telling me something to the effect of: "I know you're hoping I'm going to tell you you're going to Hollywood. Well, I can't tell you that...but I can tell you that you've been chosen to perform in the show today!" Trickery :)

As I came out of the audition room, a video crew filmed my reaction and a short interview. Then I went backstage to get ready for the 11am show. Two other contestants and an alternate (shout-out to Lowell!) were also chosen. In the Green Room, there were more iPods to help us rehearse our songs. Then I was "touched up" in the hair and make-up room, and I rehearsed with a vocal coach who helped me with staging, riffs, etc. Then the staging specialist showed us all where to stand throughout the show, and we all got to rehearse our songs onstage. Then it was time for the show!

This was during exclusive cast member previews of the attraction, so there were about 350 audience members. Actors warmed up the audience, got them excited, and tested their voting buttons. Then the host introduced herself, the three judges (Randy, Paula, and Simon types), and the three contestants--me, Luerne Herrera, and Rachel Moulton (sp?). Luerne began the show with an amazing rendition of Heart's "Alone" and got a "personalized" good luck message from recent AI winner David Cook.

I was to perform second, and they aired footage from my interview, my reaction, my audition, and my touch-up in the hair and make-up room. Then I rocked out on my Queen song! The judges said that I had a very "marketable, wholesome image." The Simon-type guy said I seemed a little self-conscious, like a karaoke performance! (I found the actor later to thank him for the critique, and he said he always feels the need to apologize to the contestants because they [the actors] are encouraged to nitpick. He felt that I was more "self-possessed" than he indicated, and when I told him that I worked at a karaoke bar, he thought that was very funny.)

Rachel rounded out the show with her awesome version of "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King, and they showed video of people in the queue cheering, "Rachel is our American Idol!" Then, the audience voted using the voting buttons on their armrests, and we were all treated to a Jordin Sparks music video. Afterward, the host recapped the judges' comments and sufficiently kept us all in suspense.

The whole day was especially cool because, when the attraction opens, Disney cast members will not be allowed to compete to win the daily prize--a ticket to the front of the line at the real American Idol auditions--so it was neat to be one of the very few cast members able to experience the behind-the-scenes aspects of the attraction. Although I wasn't chosen as the winner (Luerne is the champion!), I had an awesome time and made some good contacts. (I even ran into the casting director for Disney backstage, and he said I was great!) I was also sent home with a few cool souvenirs.

My number, stage door appointment, and "Vote for Me!" lanyard, meant to be worn around the park to encourage guests to come watch.

Click here to view more pictures--there's even a holiday card!