In less than a week American Idol will start it's 12th Season and the search for another superstar will begin! Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend an American Idol Premiere advance screening event with a live Q&A with the new panel of judges.
It was right after work so I had to finish things up for the day and head out so I could make it to the movie theater in time to meet my friend Ryan and get in line. It was so great to be there with other American Idol and Mariah Carey fans who are all looking forward to this next chapter. While waiting in line the local FOX News cameras came by to film all of the energy and anticipation of the eager crowd. One of the most notable things about the group in the line was how diverse it was.
A lot of credit has to be given to the American Idol producers for selecting a panel of judges that is going to attract all demographics. Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj are all very different and the same is true for their base of loyal fans. We were surrounded by fans young and old, gay and straight, black and white, lovers of country, soul, hip hop and R&B.
The screening included a free box of popcorn and a diet coke for everyone in the theater. We had a chance to see the first round of auditions on the big screen. There were a few really misguided bad singers as usual, but there were also some very inspirational talents to be found. I am sure everyone is hoping to see the young man with the stutter make it far in the competition this year. He had the entire theater crying along with him.
The Q&A afterward had the new panel of judges on their best behavior. We got a chance to see a sample of how they will be interacting during the competition. Keith is an easy-going guy who knows what he is talking about and what he is looking for in a new talent. Nicki is out-spoken, opinionated and speaks her mind loudly and proudly. Mariah also has a strong point of view, but the difference is that she expresses it in a more subdued manner.
Just like it has been widely reported that there is some dysfunctional friction between the new judges, the same was to be found among the fans in the theater. The Nicki Minaj fans were the most vocal of the group to sing her praises to the extent of coming off as loud, obnoxious, unpleasant and rude. While the more classy and respectful Mariah Carey and Keith Urban fans had to endure all of this enthusiastic drama during the screening, the good thing to be found in it is that a whole new group of young people has discovered American Idol for the first time.
Yes, these immature Nicki fans threw popcorn around the theater and kicked the back of people's chairs, but hopefully, by the end of the season they might learn that some professionalism and respect is also a part of being a pop superstar.
At the end of the screening we are all given free American Idol hats and t-shirts. I am sure to be wearing mine quite a bit over the next few months!
