Seven tractor-trailers and six buses caravanned 250 tons of equipment, 27 crew members, seven musicians, and 10 “American Idols” into town last week to thrill a full house at the San Diego Sports Arena in Point Loma.
Visiting 58 cities in 70 days, the “American Idols Live! Tour 2007” features the talent and frenetic energy of the Fox Television show’s top 10 “American Idol” finalists: Chris Sligh, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Sanjaya Malakar, Phil Stacey, Chris Richardson, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks “” winner of the amazingly popular show’s sixth season.
The San Diego visit preceded the first formal “American Idol” auditions to take place in this city. Auditions will be held Monday, July 30, at Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley.
Several of the 10 touring “Idols” have become household names, in particular Malakar, who, at the ripe old age of 17, became known for his showmanship, and even more so for wild hair creations.
His so-called “ponyhawk,” a crazy version of the classic Mohawk cut “” so tall the cameras had trouble fitting it in “” was discussed with fervor at every water cooler, on morning radio shows, late night talk shows, and at kitchen tables across America.
“What’s he going to do next week,” asked practically everyone in the country with a television.
“I thought, hey, we have hairstylists, and I thought they could make me look good “” and I became known as the guy with the hair,” Malakar said, smiling shyly.
Notable during the six season’s airing was judge Simon Cowell’s comment to Malakar: “I presume there was no mirror in your dressing room tonight. I don’t think it matters anymore what we say. I genuinely don’t. You’re in your own universe.”
Unfazed, Malakar admits, “I love laughing at myself. I think if you laugh at yourself you never get embarrassed.”
At that, fellow finalist Stacey declared Malakar to be ticklish, prompting some “Idol” horseplay. Not to be left out, Sligh joined in and commented that he and Stacey were, “the old guys” at 29.
Sligh, who insisted on mentioning that he is a huge fan of the San Diego band Switchfoot, said he hadn’t planned to try out for the show until a friend convinced him.
“My buddy wanted me to do this so bad that he drove me to the audition, paid for the hotel and everything,” he said. “[Now] we’re having the time of our lives.”
Doolittle, who made it into the top three spots, had also not planned to audition, but went along to support a friend who was.
“We thought you had to sign up to audition just to get in “¦ so I did,” Doolittle said.
The friend, however, didn’t make the cut.
“I was so excited to make it from week to week,” Doolittle effused. “I kept saying, ‘How am I still here?’ This is awesome.”
The season’s winner, Jordin Sparks “” also a mere 17 “” humbly related how the nearly-overnight fame has affected relationships back home in Arizona, where the tour happened to stop the previous night before the Sports Arena visit.
“It’s difficult when somebody goes through a huge life change. I guess some people feel left behind,” Sparks said. “It’s so hard. I don’t have as much time to call; I tell people, ‘You guys know I love you “” please don’t ever forget that.’
“But I got to see everybody last night, and it was great to see them and talk to everyone. Everyone’s real supportive,” she said.
Sparks shared that she has been “a diehard ‘American Idol’ fan through all the seasons, and to be a part of it “” and win it “” is very crazy. Oh my gosh!”
After San Diego, the tour continued on to Fresno the following day, and will wind up in Manchester, N.H., on Sept. 22, when Sparks will immediately hit the recording studio.
“They want my album out before Thanksgiving, so it doesn’t give me much time,” she said.
Auditions for the seventh season of “American Idol” will take place one day only in San Diego.
Moriah Angeline of Chula Vista said she plans to do what it takes to become the next “American Idol.”
Angeline, a singing teacher currently performing in “The Buddy Holly Story” at the Welk Resort in Escondido, explained that the process is lengthy and time-consuming.
“And, there are a lot of rules, such as you can’t have any representation “¦ no agent, no recording contract,” she said.
As far as making it to the scrutiny of judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Cowell, Angeline said, “It’s a crapshoot. Jordin didn’t make it the first time she auditioned, and went to another city.
“You have to make it past the producers first,” said Angeline.
Does she have what it takes?
“I’m a great singer,” Angeline said. “I don’t just sing the song, I tell the story.”
Registration to audition takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29 (either day, but not both), when wristbands and tickets will be provided.
Actual auditions are on Monday, July 30, beginning at 8 a.m. Participants must have the wristband and ticket they received on Saturday or Sunday in order to get in to the audition. Participants are allowed to bring one guest only.
Organizers stress that no one will be allowed to line up before 6 a.m. each day, and there will be no overnight camping. Parking at Qualcomm is $10 per car, per day and there are no in-and-out privileges. It is suggested that people take the Trolley or bus to the stadium.
The American Idol website (www.americanidol.com) contains extensive information and instructions, FAQs and audition release forms.