15-years ago this summer American Idol first hit the airwaves, and the industry-disrupting show that’s catapulted the career of several Alabamians is still going strong. Remarkably, the show ranked at the top of television rankings for eight consecutive years.
Most readers will recall that Alabama natives helped make the show in its first five seasons. Ruben Studdard won the competition in its second season (2003), and Taylor Hicks won it three years later in Season Five. Studdard and Hicks are from Birmingham. Birmingham native Diana DeGarmo placed second in Season Three, and Huntsville’s Bo Bice was runner-up to Carrie Underwood in Season Four. All four of these artists leveraged their Idol victories into successful careers.
Gifted Alabamians who hope to do the same won’t have to travel far to tryout for the 2017 competition. ABC has announced that regional auditions will be held at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, AL 35674 on September 7th.
According to ABC 33/40, Alabama tourism officials say some 2,000 contestants are expected at the audition. ABC has recently acquired the show and announced that it is bringing back the singing competition for the 2017-2018 season. The network said recording artist Katy Perry will be one of the judges.
Anyone interested in pursuing stardom on American Idol can Click here for more details, but contestants must be 15 or older to audition.
American Idol is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group.
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