A Lake County Star Still Soars
Written by Blair Townley
It was an experience worth remembering, even if you don’t go home with the Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
Jennifer Dobson of Leesburg auditioned for the reality show American Idol on Thursday at Orlando’s Amway Arena, waiting eight hours for the singing opportunity of a lifetime.
Unfortunately the response Jennifer and several of her fellow contestants received was no, concluding the exhausting day on a somber but optimistic note.
“I know I shouldn’t be too disappointed because there is always next year,” Jennifer says.
“It was a really great experience and I have a feel of what happens for next year.”
Jennifer and her dad Jesse arrived at Amway with thousands of other contestants at 5 am, making their way into the arena later after taping opening segments for the show.
Once seated in the arena, the contestants taped a few more crowd songs before starting the actual auditioning around 10 am.
Jennifer mainly sat in the arena with her dad listening to music and talking minimally to save her voice. She also listened to other auditions taking place on the bottom floor of the arena.
“There were a few people who did make it and they were jumping around and we would clap for them,” Jennifer recalls.
Contestants could practice in the arena’s concourses with those in their sectioned auditioning groups of four. Jennifer found this beneficial as they prepared for singing in front of the preliminary judges.
“We performed and were able to give our two cents’ worth to each other,” Jennifer says.
At 2 pm, four hours after the actual start of the auditions, Jennifer made her way up to the judges’ table to sing her try-out song, “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion.
She sang for 20-30 seconds before the judge stopped her to give the next contestant a try. The judge then told everyone after they all sang that they were close but didn’t make it.
Jennifer left shortly after upset but with her head held high and making plans in preparation for next year.
“I think next time I should pick a more up-tempo song that would catch more attention and I could get into more expression-wise,” says Jennifer, mentioning she might choose a country song as that is her career genre of choice.
Overall, Jennifer and the other contestants took the outcome in stride and didn’t lash out at judges or other contestants in their disappointment.
“We were all upset but not as disappointed as we know they sent a ton of people home,” Jennifer says. “I can’t wait to try out next year.”
She didn’t get a golden ticket but she did leave with insight and confidence to help her move one step closer to the American Idol stage.
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