Hundreds of Iowans are among the 15,000 wanna-be stars lined up outside the Qwest Center in Omaha, hoping for a shot at being on Fox T-V’s "American Idol." Registration wraps up this afternoon while the auditions start Friday. Last season’s top ten performers were in Omaha for a concert last week.
Among them, Sanjaya says American Idol was an experience he wouldn’t trade for anything. Sanjaya says: "You have a lot of doubt. There are so many people, ‘Why I am even here?’ But at the same time it is really fun because you are waiting and waiting and waiting and then you finally get there it is, wow, finally my chance."
Another top competitor from season six, Melinda Doolittle, says this competition has changed her life. Doolittle says ,"Especially when you get good friends, people that are like family around you. You feel like, ‘Come on world, let me take you on, I’m ready to go.’ So, make sure you know when going into it is going to be strenuous but it’s totally worth it."
At this regional level, performers get just 15-seconds to impress the judges and a select few will go on to a regional audition. Those who make -that- cut go before "Idol" judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. Last year’s "American Idol" winner Jordan Sparks offers this advice.
Sparks says: "Take pictures, if you make it. Buy a camera, it doesn’t matter how much it is, ’cause it’ll be worth it. Take pictures." The top ten finishers from last season’s show are performing at the Iowa State Fair on August 19th.