'American Idol' kicks off San Diego registration

By: Staff and wire reports - | Saturday, July 28, 2007 11:07 PM PDT ∞

American Idol hopeful Lindsay Wadleigh, 23, works at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
DON BOOMER Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO ---- Thousands of contestants lined up Saturday morning at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego to register for a shot at fame and fortune on the next season of "American Idol."

Among them was expected to be Lindsay Wadleigh, an employee of California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Wadleigh, who could not be reached Saturday, said last week that she's been singing, acting and dancing since age 3.

She said she's watched the show since 2002, and decided to try out now because the opportunity is "in my backyard."

Wadleigh, who struggles with the hereditary lung disease cystic fibrosis, said singing is a vital workout for her because it strengthens her lungs and stresses breath control.

The potential contestants registered and picked up wristbands Saturday that will allow them to return for auditions.

Wadleigh said she hopes to be among as many as 40,000 "Idol" contestants who audition at Qualcomm Stadium beginning early Monday morning. Contests will have only about 30 seconds for a chance to impress the judges.

" 'American Idol' is a big platform," Wadleigh said. "I want to show people that you can be healthy with (cystic fibrosis) and you can fight it."

San Diego is the first of seven cities to hold auditions for the next season. The talent-seeking road show will visit Dallas, Omaha, Neb., Atlanta, Charleston, S.C., Miami and Philadelphia.

Some of the show's well-known alumni are Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Josh Gracin, Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood.

Perhaps more well-known are the judges on the popular TV show ---- Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

9 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Slim wrote on Jul 28, 2007 11:33 PM:Good luck to the contestants. I hope the winner is a local. Avoid the drugs and the big egos and you will be okay.

Steve wrote on Jul 29, 2007 3:35 AM:Always have something to fall back on and save your money if you have any success.

What? wrote on Jul 29, 2007 9:49 AM:Yawn.... Who cares? Music was too corporate befor this and this just makes it even more corporate. Bleah. Support local music.

Jen wrote on Jul 29, 2007 1:23 PM:I agree with Slim. I hope the next Idol is someone who is in our backyard!

Local music wrote on Jul 29, 2007 3:06 PM:Yeah, support local music. But what happens when the local band makes it big, hmmmmm. Local or not, it's about fame and money.

Skip wrote on Jul 29, 2007 3:09 PM:Ya know what is sad? They will probably have more people registering for this, then will register to vote in San Digo County. It is no wonder we are loosing our country.

Wait forever wrote on Jul 29, 2007 4:58 PM:Why did the 'planners' schedule the humongous COMIC CON, sand castle contest, etc. etc. and Idol tryouts on same days? Took 3 hours just to get to San Diego - that's less than 10 miles per hour from south Carlsbad. Then another hour to park somewhere, get a trolley, get shoved, pushed, stomped on, smell of booze everywhere. Yes, SD is a mecca of 'events'. Comic Con had 500,000 attendees - can you even imagine that? Add those 40,000 (or so) who braved getting to Qualcomm for a 30 second 'chance' to impress the judges. (Thankfully no terrorist attack that could have wiped out the whole city!) 30 seconds is too short - judges will unfortunately weed out the REAL talent in many cases, cause they have to choose the crazy ones to make a 'hit TV show' = money. Okay, let's say it takes 2 minutes to get 'contestants' in and out, itroduce themselves and then 30 seconds of 'singing' or whatever. I'm to a math whiz, but times that by 40,000. Poor Simon!

Proud mom wrote on Jul 30, 2007 12:08 PM:My daughter, Amanda ... is auditioning today. She has waited a long time to be able to do this and is really excited! She is also 8 months pregnant! Go get em Amanda! Remember that name! Amanda ..., the next American Idol! - we all gotta have dreams...if we reach for the stars, we'll at least hit the moon. God puts dreams in our hearts, but it's up to us to go and get them!

randy wrote on Aug 30, 2007 4:06 PM:my son made the first cut in san diego,but has misplaced his golden ticket do you have any information on who to contact for info on the next tryout

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