American Idol Fever

By Sarah Novak and Natalie Rivera

Beginning in January, millions of people across America auditioned in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Seattle, Washington for everyone’s favorite reality show: “American Idol.” Those were the kick-off cities that started Season 6. The judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson determined if the contestants were good enough to make it to Hollywood. Some of the other cities that people auditioned in were New York, Tennessee, Alabama, and Los Angeles.


The auditions went auditioned in n for about four weeks. The lucky people who made it through the auditions celebrated but not for long because after the auditions was Hollywood week. The contestants picked their own group of three people and they had to perform a group song which the judges judged. Then they did one by themselves and the judges put them into four different rooms. Two went on to the next round and two had to go home. Then from the remaining people the judges picked the top 12 girls and the top 12 boys. Hollywood was sure a stressful week for the contestants. Now they will keep performing songs and each week two boys and two girls will be eliminated until there are six girls and six boys which will become the top 12. When the Top 10 perform, America will only be able to vote off one contestant each week.


Once they’ve done that, only two will be able to make it to the finals which will be sometime in May. The two will then battle it out to see who has what it takes to become the next American Idol. The two youngest contestants who are in the Top 10 are: Sanjaya Malakar and Jordin Sparks. Sanjaya, 17, auditioned in Seattle, Washington, but he and his family live in Federal Way, WA. Jordin Sparks, who is also 17, also auditioned in Seattle but is originally from Glendale, AZ. The two oldest people in the Top 10 are: Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey. Melinda, who is 29-year-old, auditioned in Memphis, Tennessee but lives in Brentwood, TN. Phil Stacey, another 29-year-old, auditioned in Memphis but is from the “Sunshine State”. We think it might be harder for the younger contestants because the older ones have lived longer so they can base their songs on their life experiences.


Our personal favorite contestant is Jordin Sparks. We think she has a great voice and a great personality. If she wins, a lot of teen girls will be able to look up to her because she is still a teen and very talented. They are around her age and may face some of similar problems and challenges.


But in the end only one will have what it takes to become the next “American Idol.” Tune in every week on FOX5 at 8/7c to see what happens.