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Traffic clogged Broad Street as fame-seekers, with doting family and friends in tow, filled the parking lots at the Wachovia Center for one last shot at a golden ticket to Hollywood. The long-anticipated final round of auditions for the seventh seven of Fox’s "American Idol" Aug. 27 didn’t come up short, drawing a record-setting 17,000 people from all over the United States.
Teresa Anello, from 15th Street and Moyamensing Avenue, put Temple University on hold for the momentous first-time visit to the area of the TV-ratings powerhouse. "This is a once in a lifetime chance to follow my dream and I don’t think anyone would pass up that opportunity, especially me," Anello, 22, said. "I hope that I make it to the next round … But if I don’t make it to the next round, this won’t stop me from trying again next year."
Like most, Anello’s mother, Patty Maiellano, believes her girl has what it takes. "She never sang professionally, but my daughter made her way to the finals," Maiellano said after Teresa passed the first of what was expected to be multiple auditions here in Philadelphia.
Even among the throngs that filed into the stadium starting at 8 a.m., Dan Cristelli was eye-catching in a bright pink tuxedo with slick black hair. The spiffy soulster from Fifth and Mifflin streets was representing South Philly in full force — with his own distinctive style. Earning some media interest, Cristelli kept his eyes on the prize.
"This is my first time," he said of the audition. "Hopefully, I’ll get past Simon … or at least the first round."
His plan: the suit and an unexpected musical selection. "Most of it will be some new R&B; or something," he said of his competitors’ choices. "I’m going to go old school, like Frankie Valli or Otis Redding."
Auditions officially began when doors opened at 8 a.m. and people were advised to show up as early as 6, but putting in your time is all too familiar for those with a dream. "My niece had said that there were hundreds — maybe thousands — waiting since she arrived," Lisa Womack of South Philly said. Womack’s niece, Ava, also from South Philly, had been on line since 11 p.m. Sunday.
Perhaps a long line seems a strange thing to be happy about, but Womack was delighted with the turnout. "It’s good for South Philly. It’ll put South Philly on the map," Womack said. She still expressed disbelief at seeing such a large mass of people, adding, "It was pretty crazy from Snyder on."
Out-of-towners, such as Chris Ray from Indianapolis, took full advantage of their trip, even falling a little for the City of Brotherly Love. Ray decided to take his own personal tour, hitting Old City, the Waterfront, South Street and, of course, grabbing a cheesesteak. "Geno’s was good, but I think Pat’s beat them," Ray said. "Even if I lose, I’ll be back here soon … maybe in two months or so."
Fox’s seventh nationwide search for talented singers ages 16 to 24 ended at the Wachovia Center, where contestants were broken down into small groups to audition for two producers. Moving to the next round was based on talent and appearance. Judging by the eccentric outfits, some were banking on getting by on the latter. One hopeful, clad in a layered white dress with matching hat and long feather boa, was dressed for success, while two 20-somethings came as circus clowns.
Assuming the costumes or their voices were a hit, contestants moved on to senior producers. Then it’s off to the last round — with a hush-hush date and time — for a face-to-face with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
The second largest turnout at all previous auditions was in Atlanta, where 15,000 — a full 2,000 shy of Monday’s crowd — laid it on the line. Despite staggering numbers, everyone got an equal shot at fame.
Erika Marino of Altoona wasn’t looking for celebrity, though. "I just want to sing," she said, "maybe make it to the second round." Marino participated in previous singing competitions, but never on the scale of "Idol."
"People kept telling me ‘Yeah, you should try out,’ so finally I did," Marino said.
Her fianc�, Evan Rutherford, also of Altoona, was there, giving support, hoping a west-bound plane ride would be in the near future.
"I’m expecting to go to Hollywood," he said with a smile, admitting he’d been trying to encourage his fianc�e to move to California and hoped this would be his chance.
Supporters are oftentimes more sure of success than the singers, and Veronica Cobb from Newark, N.J., was not shy about her stance. "Don’t even bother. My daughter already won," Cobb said.
Alia Koonce, 21, from Wilmington, Del., has the right mojo according to her self proclaimed intern/photographer Ebony Brady.
"She can sing. She has something … that something extra," Brady said. However, Koonce has modest hopes: "I want to come out and see if I can get a reaction from the judges."
Brittany Casanova was seemingly unaware of the crowds around her as she had been practicing since 5 a.m. "Everything and anything I live for is right here," the Staten Island resident said. "I took a summer of opera, but I’ve been singing since I was born. I’m confident, but I don’t want to get cocky. If I don’t go, life goes on."
Though the limelight was bright in the area Monday, it threatened to leave some unwanted remnants in its wake. Supporting two friends in the event, South Philly’s Steve Schwartz was dismayed at the trash left behind in the Wachovia lot. At about 10 a.m., after the bubbling crowd filed into the sealed-off complex, a sea of waste and belongings — from coolers to lawn chairs and blankets — banned from inside were all that remained.
"I’ll be back later to see if it’s all cleaned up," Schwartz said. "It’d be a shame to see [Fox] bring a good thing and leave all their trash behind."
