Thousands of hopefuls lined up outside Petco Park early Friday morning trying to prove they have what it takes to be the next American Idol.
Auditions haven’t been in San Diego since 2007 and this year several thousand potential contestants came to sing their hearts out for a possible call back this weekend. Getting a call back is just one of many levels that would-be idols must cross before landing a slot on the show.
“ Idol” is in now prepping new contestants for its 11th season on the Fox Network.
"Today we find out what the talent is like in San Diego," Patrick Lynn, a show producer, said through a bullhorn. "Our hopes are high because of the talent that has come from the area in the past."
In the past, the show found a few of its finalists right here in San Diego.
David Archuleta, a former finalist auditioned in San Diego and recent finalist and pop-start Adam Lambert is from Rancho Penasquitos, though originally auditioned in San Francisco.
Carlsbad residents Alex Cabrera, 15, and Amber Nava, 17, were among those waiting to sing for producer-judges.
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"I'm a little nervous, but already this is an amazing experience," Cabrera told the North County Times before her audition. "There are so many talented people here, and they are all sweet. It's easy to bond with everyone here, because we are all passionate about the same thing."
She and Nava, like many others, found out they did not make the next round but it won’t stop them from singing again and pursuing their goals.
"We did our best," Cabrera said after the tryout. "I was definitely nervous at first, but when I started singing, I was OK. We'll keep singing in the show choir at school. We're definitely not going to give up, and we'll try out for other shows. This is our dream and our passion."
Read the rest of the story from our media partner, the North County Times.
