20 tips to ace the 'American Idol' audition
By JO PIAZZA
'American Idol' is coming to town.
Calling all future pop stars: Judges from "American Idol" will be in New Jersey on Tuesday looking for the nation's next singing sensation.
More than 15,000 hopefuls are expected to turn up at the Izod Center in East Rutherford (registration begins there Sunday at 8 a.m.) to show just how awesome they are. And they'll have exactly 15 seconds to do it.
But impressing the panel and making it to the first official round - and then on to the finals in Hollywood - takes a lot more than just belting out a cheesy Whitney Houston song.
Here are 20 proven tips - including some from "Idol" veterans - on how you can beat the odds:
1. Get some Z's - at least eight hours of sleep. Don't be a party animal the night before. Alcohol and excessive smoking will damage your voice.
2. Auditions will last all day, so bring a book, magazine or a friend to help you pass the down time.
3. It's August, and you will be sweating while you wait. Make sure to bring plenty of makeup for quick touchups or risk looking like Tammy Faye Baker in a sauna.
4. Have your songs loaded on your iPod ahead of time to listen to while you wait.
5. Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel like a million bucks. But you will be moving around a lot, so make sure your shoes and outfit are wearable for up to 12 hours.
6. Bring cash. You're going to spend a lot of time in the Izod Center parking lot, and by 3 p.m. that hot dog vendor is going to know your name.
7. Don't expect to be hobnobbing with Randy, Paula and Simon. Low-level producers whittle the first round down, and the big guns don't show up until round two.
8. Think about your voice. Don't waste time talking to other contestants. Talking will kill your voice before you get your chance to sing.
9. Have at least six songs in your arsenal. "Don't start at the beginning of the song," says celebrity vocal coach David Coury, who trains pop star Leona Lewis. "Start where the song gets good. You only have 15 seconds."
10. Stay away from songs that were popular on the show in previous seasons. You're only setting yourself up to fail.
"Try to pick a song that the judges likely haven't heard all day," says Carrie Underwood. "Maybe a good song that people might have forgotten about that can help you stand out."
11. Don't listen to other people sing in line, warns Coury. The key of their song will get in your head and it will be difficult to concentrate on your own range.
12. Drink lots of water to keep your voice warm and loose. Coury advises to practice with low, soft hums.
13. Know what will calm your nerves, whether it's a hug from a friend or a breathing exercise, to get rid of your jitters.
14. Don't be freaky to be freaky. An out-there contestant may make it onto TV, but unless they can wow the judges with their voice, they won't be anything more than a punch line.
15. Once you get before the judges, try singing the song in a key higher than it is usually sung. Coury says this will impress the panel and show your range, as well as mixing up an old standard.
16. Treat the judges with respect. Be completely honest and truthful at all times. If you make it on the show, you're going to be fact-checked.
17. Judges love a great story. If something dramatic has happened to you in the past year or so, tell the panel about it. People get wrapped up in human triumph and human suffering. Remember, they want to make good television.
18. When singing, look directly at the judges and if they look uncomfortable, look over their heads.
19. You can never be too excited. Keep your energy and enthusiasm up. Whether you're crying, screaming or laughing, it sets you apart from the other contestants, according to season six "Idol" challenger Sabrina Sloan.
20. And most important, "Don't try to be [something you're not]," says David Cook, the most recent "Idol" winner. "Just be [yourself]."
20 tips to ace the 'American Idol' audition
