American Idol Season 14 Auditions: Thousands Of Hopefuls From Nashville Welcome 'Idol'! What Did First Timers Think Of The Whole Experience?
The American Idol season 14 auditions has been touring the US looking for its next batch of superstars, not forgetting to include the three judges' hometowns in the stops.
'Idol' stopped by New York, Jennifer 'Jenny From The Block' Lopez home turf. They also dropped by New Orleans to visit Harry Connick, Jr's hometown. On June 30, the crew looked for the next American Idol in Nashville where Keith Urban currently lives..
According to WDRB, around 4,000 hopefuls joined the Nashville leg of the 'American Idol' season 14 auditions. Aspirants, reportedly including a big turnout from Kentucky, lined up as early as the night before the auditions to sing for the three judges.
"We have an army of people from Idol here to choose talent for the judges," 'American Idol' Senior Supervising Producer Patrick Lynn commented about the amazing turnout of auditioners at the Music City.
Danny Gokey and Janelle Arthur, former 'Idol' contestant who are currently pursuing careers, stayed around the Nashville Municipal Auditorium to give the nervous audition-goers advice.
"There's a lot of talent brewing in this city," Gokey said, adding that 'Idol' “came to the right place.”
"I'm really familiar with the nerves,” Arthur told WDRB, “I had to do this four times. I did this round in particular four times and so, it's definitely one of the most nerve racking things you can do, but if you make it through, and you keep going, it can be one of the most rewarding things that will ever happen to you.”
With the age restriction at 15 years old, Emma Jones from Taylorsville took her chance to join the 'American Idol' season 14 auditions, telling WDRB, "I've been watching it my whole life and I've always wanted to try out so now I get to.”
Despite the nervous energy, excitement was also very much present in the air.
“As soon as I opened my mouth and started singing... It was just incredible, I really enjoyed myself," 17-year-old Kayla Padgett from Memphis said when she passed the first round.
“It's an awesome feeling,” another passer, Pershard Owens from St. Louis, commented after doing “what I came to do.”
The 'American Idol' season 14 auditions will continue with its last live stop at San Francisco on September 29. No specific date has been set for the show's premiere next year.
