Every year, “American Idol” draws thousands of hopeful contestants to its open-call auditions in cities across the U.S. — people who are itching for a shot at fame and fortune.
The process can be exhausting.
Last year, when “Idol” came to Salt Lake City on a Thursday, people began showing up as early as 3:30 a.m. to claim a spot in line, the Deseret News reported. Some had traveled several hours from out of state for a chance to audition.
Aspiring stars stood in line for hours just to reach “American Idol” producers. After singing for just a few seconds, some got a “yes.” Many more received a “no.”
This year, auditioning just got a lot easier.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, “American Idol” is going virtual for its first round of auditions, the show announced Friday.
Using “custom-built Zoom technology,” the “Idol Across America” tour will begin Aug. 10 and work its way across all 50 states, according to Entertainment Weekly. Hopeful contestants in Utah will have a chance to audition on Aug. 20.
The pandemic interrupted “American Idol” production this past season. In March, “Idol” sent the remaining contestants home before ultimately choosing to have the top 20 finalists perform and compete from their homes, the Deseret News reported.
Just Sam, who in May was virtually crowned the “Idol” winner, offered potential contestants some advice going forward in this unprecedented territory.
“You might be auditioning from your bedroom, your living room, but you have to treat this as if you’re on the ‘Idol’ stage in front of millions of people,” the 21-year-old singer said, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The new season is set to air sometime in 2021, Entertainment Weekly reported.
For more information on the virtual auditions, visit the show’s official website. You can also sign up and reserve an audition time on the website.
Below is the current tour schedule. According to the show’s website, you must be between 15 and 28 years old to audition, and can audition on any date, regardless of your location.
Aug. 10 — Delaware, Florida and Ohio
Aug. 12 — Louisiana, Missouri and Wisconsin
Aug. 14 — Arizona, Oregon and Washington
Aug. 16 — Georgia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Rhode Island
Aug. 17 — Open call auditions
Aug. 18 — Alabama, Arkansas and Kansas
Aug. 20 — Idaho, New Mexico and Utah
Aug. 22 — Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas
Aug. 24 – Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia
Aug. 25 — Open call auditions
Aug. 26 — Iowa, Mississippi and Oklahoma
Aug. 28 — Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota
Aug. 30 — Connecticut, New Jersey and New York
Sept. 1 — Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming
Sept. 3 — Maine, South Carolina, and West Virginia
Sept. 5 — Alaska, California and Hawaii
Sept. 7 — Kentucky, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania
Sept. 9 — Massachusetts, North Carolina and Vermont