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A Day to Remember for Danielle
By request on Facebook, Danielle shared the details of her "American Idol Experience" at Disney's Hollywood Studios:
We woke up around 7 a.m. Mom helped me with hair and makeup, and then we were off. We got there early so we went over by the turnstiles while dad went to buy a ticket. He came back and before my vocal coach could meet me. An Idol casting director walked through the line and I sang for him. We were directed to another guy who told me to go to the audition facility in 15 minutes. He gave me a song list with 115 songs, and I picked two to audition with. Finally, my vocal coach showed up and let us into the park. We went over to the audition facility. In the waiting room, the cast members gave me and the other contestants ipods with all the songs on them. Each song was 90 seconds long and we could preview the versions we'd be singing. Finally, it was time. I walked into a small room with a producer and he interviewed me a little bit and picked my first song. Now, voice still dry and very much stuck in morning mode, he chose my hardest song first, "Walk Away" by Kelly Clarkson. It showcases my upper register belt. I rocked the song on the previous night. Not this time. It was awful, like, beyond words awful. I was so embarrassed because my vocal coach was waiting with my family outside and I'm sure they could hear. Then I sang my second song, "How do I Live," much more warmed up. The producer said that my higher belt was kind of squeaky (O! M! G! Shame!) and I should definitely sing “How do I Live.” In other words, I made finals. He showed me a video with Ryan Secrest giving me the good news, and sent me off with a "Vote For Me" lanyard. I was so relieved. I thought I was going to let everyone down and I'd wasted everyone's time. I was going to be in the first show of the morning, so my rehearsal was at 9:50. Each show throughout the day consists of three contestants. We met up at the theater and proceeded to the green room. We were each given a 10-minute coaching session, hair and makeup touch-up, and green room break. I started in coaching while one girl went to makeup and another started off with her break. The musical director was really cool. His name was Daniel and he was very friendly, energetic and helpful. He gave me suggestions on expression and ad-libs. I mostly used my own, but he had some good ideas, too. Then came my break and next was hair and makeup. I think the stylist's name was Felisha. We didn't have time for much. She was super friendly and gentle. Finally came stage rehearsal. We got hooked up to autopilots, which I feel stupid for not being able to explain, but they had something to do with the lighting. It felt pretty cool singing on the stage, and I was getting excited for competition time. Backstage, we got some last-minute tips and the show began while the cast members spoke to us. Yes, show time. The music began and the screams sounded just like the real show! The stage, the backstage area, the theater – all an exact replica. Our first entrance was as the guests of the show. It was really intimidating. The lights were super bright, the crowd was loud and right there, it felt like the real show. Finally, it was time to perform. I was last, so I got to see the other two go first on a big HD TV and the judges acted exactly like Randy, Paula and Simon. The "Simon" of the show was actually really mean to the other two, so I got really, really scared. Oddly enough, though, the nerves almost completely went away. I got up and did my thing, and it actually turned out really well. I even got a standing ovation! All the judges liked me, and the British Simon guy said something like "It takes me five seconds of hearing someone to know they're good. It takes me two seconds to know whether or not I'd pay to listen. Within one second of hearing your voice... (pause, pause, pause), I knew this would be your career!" Finally, it was time. Of course, to make it more suspenseful, they played a video of Jordin Sparks singing something that the audience could join in on. All throughout the show, they would show videos of people from American Idol, it was pretty wild! Anyway, then came time to vote and announce the winner. The host had everything down pat; his vocal patterns were a dead-on impression of Ryan Secrest. He did the whole pause thing, and joked that at least they didn't have to sit through a commercial. Then, he said it. I'd won and I'd be competing in the finals! Jim, the "Randy" judge, escorted me off and he chatted with me, along with the "Simon", who was actually really chill and down to Earth. They said it would be a different cast of judges that night, so they wished me good luck. Afterward, the producers made a video package of me pretending to audition, doing an interview, etc. Right in the middle of my interview, I got another surprise . . . Kindred! She is one of my friends who sings around Bradenton, and we're both going to American Idol auditions. I was super excited to see her, but I didn't want to compete against her. I hoped she'd go a different day so that we both could have separate shots at winning the "dream ticket" audition. After spending the rest of the day in the theme park, finally, 6 p.m. came, and we all gathered in the greenroom, no Kindred. I was sad because I knew she had the chops to make it and if I was going to lose to anyone, I wanted it to be her. Six of us waited as the final show was going on in the theater. I went to get a hair and makeup touch-up. Then I went back to the greenroom. When I went through the door, I heard a familiar voice. Kindred was in the last semi-finals of the day! She did her thing, and a few moments later, I struggled to listen, only to hear that she'd won the last spot in the finals! I was so excited that Bradenton got two people to represent, and I had someone to keep me company back stage! After it all ended, we went over some final stage blocking and got ready for the finals. Show time came and we talked about random stuff to calm each other's nerves. Kindred went fourth and nailed the song! The judges loved her, and she was the only one so far to get all positive feedback, even from the "Simon" character – "I think the American flag just got another star." I was so proud! Then another guy, Tyler, who seemed to have some American Idol audition experience as well ("I made it to the last round and then got cut") went on, and then it was my turn. I sang my song and got another standing ovation! It was amazing. Then came the critiques. The judges liked me again, and then the "Simon" scared me a lot. "You need to know that your condition gives you no credibility with me, and you don't get any extra points from me," (Yeah buddy, I kinda figured that already) "...so I'm just going to judge you on your performance alone. So, based on your performance alone . . . you've got a career in this!" Boy was I relieved after that. There was one more contestant after me. Afterward, we all went out for final voting. No dancing and singing number this time, it was right down to the finals. We all stood in a line and were asked to step forward when our names were called. The host called three people forward first, and told them their journey had ended. Next, he called two more people, told one of the guys he was safe (in the top two), and then sent the other back to his seat. Then it was just Kindred and me. At this point I was just happy that one of us had a really good shot at winning. Then he sent Kindred back to her seat, and then I was kinda mad because she totally deserved the other spot in the top two. No time to worry about that, though, I was getting really nervous. After all, this guy went last, and that's always a big advantage. The host did more suspense thing, and then anounnced . . . Me as the winner! All of a sudden, confetti was flying everywhere, it was amazing! Backstage, everyone congratulated me as they left. Eventually, we were alone with the coordinator, who gave me the lowdown on the process. See, I thought it'd just be another front of the line ticket, kind of like the ticket I already get if I ask for handicapped seating, but nope! I get to set an appointment for an audition! This means if I choose, I can sleep in, get ready with no rush, show up and sing. But wait, there's more! (R.I.P. Billy Mays!) Instead of going into the crowded stadium, I will be singing in a private room with producers, no distractions! They said it's sort of like bypassing the stadium round. Finally, we exited the theater . . . and whoa! People were screaming and cheering for me and everything! Everyone was saying things like "I'm voting for you!" A ton of people asked to take pictures with me! Little kids were telling me "good job" and being adorable! Every time we'd try to make our way closer to the parking lot, more people would stop me. We even ran into a family from Scotland who says they love American Idol and they'll vote for me. For one night, I truly felt like a whole bunch of people liked me and believed in me and it was reassurance that singing is something I absolutely have to do! That is my purpose in life and it's my destiny! So next week, I am off to American Idol auditions in Orlando. I hope to see some people I know there. I am still planning on waiting in line with Kindred for registration, because I think it's really fun and I want both of us to make it. I can't go with her on actual audition day, which makes me sad, but if she doesn't make it, it's their loss. I just have to stay focused and know that the odds are against me, so just put everything I have into the song and whatever happens, happens. Leave Comment:Posts 1 - 10 of 19
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