American Idol 12 Louisiana Auditions Attract 5,000 Hopefuls

By On 07/18/2012 · 10 Comments · In American Idol, American Idol 12, James Durbin

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Yesterday, the American Idol 12 auditions in New Orleans attracted 5,000 hopefuls to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The show’s last auditions in New Orleans took place in 2010.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of charm, a lot of character, a lot of great music that’s come from this city,” said Ryan Seacrest, “and we’ve had some good luck coming through this area so we’re back to do it once again.”

“We’ve seen the broad scope of potential contestants from all walks of life and all genres,” he added. “There are definitely some characters here. We’ll see if they can sing or not.”

Corey Ledet, who is a distant cousin of Season 11 finalist, and Louisiana native, Joshua Ledet, performed with his Zydeco band, leading the kids in a cheer for the cameras. “Welcome to Louisiana, baby!”

Also on hand to cheer up the waiting crowd was Season 10 alum, James Durbin.

“I was here in the exact same place and it’s nerve-wracking. I know what they’re going through,” he said. James even helped two young singers rehearse at a local McDonald’s the night before.

“They just both start belting in McDonald’s and so I guess I was kind of helping them out, coaching them out a little bit while I was ordering my McNuggets,” he said.

“Just relax! I think that’s about it. Be prepared,” was James advice.

Read more at NOLA.com

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  • luvadamlambert

    Is that how many people that usually show up?

  • blackberryharvest

    It was 6000 for the 2010 New Orleans auditions, so not too big of a difference.

    ETA: I wonder if Corey Ledet will be as talented as his cousin? :)

  • http://twitter.com/Cavaknights Cavaknights

    How do they have auditions if they don’t even have judges yet?? O_O

  • http://twitter.com/RonnieDRocks Ronnie D

     I was thinking the same thing! lol

  • Anonymous

    Producer’s auditions. You audition in the producer rounds before you get a callback to go in front of the judges. That whole fallacy these shows create where 10,000 people audition in front of judges just isn’t possible, so they select like 50 to 100 at most, per city.

    They’ll need the new judges to be announced within a month or two though, because that’s when their auditions start.

  • Larc

    Auditions before the judges don’t usually start until September.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_S3ZGXZCUE2YYOS7QV6QSTKM4SA buffynut2001

    Last year, August 17th.

  • Anonymous

    As we often talk here about inadequate radio play, bad singles, sales not as high as we hope on albums, ratings of Idol down – still thousands and thousands of hopefuls turn out again for a chance at what these other Idols have.  It really kind of puts it in perspective. 

  • Anonymous

    First, the contestants auditioned at the New Orleans Arena, not the Superdome.
    They auditioned in front of producers. 

    Secondly, the ones who are called back, will audition in front of the judges in about a month, in Baton Rouge, an hour down the road.

    We had a great turnout!

  • Anonymous

    Corey Ledet and his Zydeco Band

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rqTY7Dp5UE