American Idol supervising producer, Patrick Lynn, estimated that at least 10,000 hopefuls auditioned today at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
“The crowd was huge,” said Lynn of the would-be contestants assembled for season 12 auditions, “Way past our expectations…it’s amazing. We’re so happy.”
Lynn tells NewsOK that he pushed to bring American Idol auditions to Oklahoma City for the first time. “I think we’re going to find people that wouldn’t normally go to ‘American Idol’ otherwise,” said Lynn.
It’s strange that Idol has never headed to Oklahoma before Season 12, considering Carrie Underwood, one of the show’s most successful singers, hails from the state.
“This is exactly why we do ‘American Idol,’ to see a group like this come out with so much excitement and enthusiasm,” said Ryan Seacrest referring to the enthusiastic crowd waiting outside the arena. “I’m guessing that we’re going to find some good talent.”
“Today it takes somebody that stands out,” Seacrest added. “Today, what we really look for is potential. You don’t have to be perfect in this audition. But we want to find potential that we can work with through the next rounds. Star quality.”
Interview with Patrick Lynn, Ryan Seacrest
News OK Video features singing hopefuls
