Paula Searches for the Next American Idol
Oct 25th, 2002
Paula Searches for the Next American Idol
October 25, 2002
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Neither the freezing cold nor the bitter winds could keep nearly 2,000 hopefuls away from the "American Idol 2" auditions in New York. At 2 a.m. Thursday, the wannabe popstar-sicles began pitching pup tents and laying blankets along Wall Street to guarantee a spot before the judges -- and a shot at a recording contract.
"I've been here since 11:30 Tuesday morning," said a bundled-up TRICIA BRANDSEN, who happily claimed the coveted No. 1 spot in line. Tonight on ET, our special correspondent, "Idol" judge PAULA ABDUL, interviews some of the crazy wannabes in Detroit, MI, where tryouts began on Monday. Paula will give us an inside look at which of the 16- to 24-year-olds made the first round of cuts there and who'll get to return for a second round of auditions next week.
In New York, 1,800 wristbands were given out to the eager auditonees inhabiting "American Idol'"s tent city. Among them was Long Islander CHRIS BOEHM who said he was eager to face Brit wit SIMON COWELL: "I actually wanna meet Simon and shake his hand."
Simon is reportedly receiving $1 million to return to the podium for the second season along with alums Paula and RANDY JACKSON. Also expected on board is newcomer ANGIE MARTINEZ, a N.Y. DJ who released her first album, Up Close and Personal, in 2001 and appeared on the Grammy®-nominated song, "Ladies Night," with MISSY ELLIOTT.
"I just want to see talent," Angie told ET. "I want to see somebody know how to sell it and I wanna feel somebody when they sing."
The next rounds of auditions will be held in Atlanta (Oct. 27 at America's Mart), Nashville (Oct. 30 at Nashville Municipal Auditorium), Miami (Nov. 2 at Fontainebleau Hilton Resort), Austin, TX (Nov. 6 at Doubletree Hotel), and Los Angeles (Nov. 17 at Renaissance Hollywood Hotel). Thirty semi-finalists will be flown to Hollywood to compete for the finals.
"American Idol 2" is expected to premiere on FOX in January. For the very latest on "AI 2" tune in to tonight's ET!