The people of Jozi turned up in their thousands at the Standard Bank Arena on Saturday (23 June) to take their first steps on the road to fame and fortune - or infamy and shame.
Despite bitter temperatures hovering around freezing point overnight, thousands of Idols hopefuls - many of them accompanied by friends and family - queued overnight outside the venue in Johannesburg on Friday to be first to sing in the first auditions for
Idols Season 4.
First in the queue was Charlene Myburgh from Orkney, who looked bright and happy when the gates opened at 06h00, despite having queued since 19h00 Friday evening.
The 16-year-old also entered last year’s Idols on kykNET, but was told that she would automatically be disqualified at the Top 32 stage because she was still only 15 at the time.
"But it was an amazing experience," she said on Saturday morning. “I’m sure it’s going to help me this year, because I know what to expect and I’m far less stressed.”
Last year Charlene sang for the Afrikaans judges, but she says she’s not afraid of
Randall Abrahams. “I know that I can sing,” she says. “So all I can hope for is that he likes me.”
Charlene sang the country hit Feels Like Home for her audition.
“This is by far the most diverse group of contestants we’ve ever had in a South African
Idols contest and the atmosphere in the audition hall was incredible,” said M-Net’s Head Of Original Productions, Carl Fischer.
“If this remarkable turnout on the first day is any indication, viewers can get ready for a very exciting season.”
This is the first year that Idols didn’t require pre-registration – contestants were encouraged just to turn up on the day.
When auditions wrap in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the Idols audition tour moves to Cape Town, where auditions start on Friday, 29 June, at the River Club in Observatory.
The rest of the auditions nationwide are:
Margate: Main Beach, Thursday, 5 July
Knysna: Oakhill School, Tuesday, 10 July
Centurion: Supersport Park, Wednesday, 18 July
For more details about the entry process, call the Idols helpline at (011) 789 8558 or fax (011) 789 8607.
Idols 4 premieres on M-Net on Sunday 19 August, at 17h30.
EXTRA IDOLS 4 RESOURCES
Info:
TVSA Idols Mini-Site
Info:
TVSA Idols 4 Season Page
Video:
Idols Hopefuls in Jozi
Video:
Idols Auditions Eye Candy!
Blog:
Idols 4 Auditions