Auditions start in Johannesburg at the Standard Bank Arena on Saturday, 23 June 2007, before moving on to The River Club in Cape Town on 29 June; Main Beach, Margate on 5 July, the Oakhill School in Knysna on 10 July and wrapping up at Supersport Park in Centurion on 18 July.
“I'm looking for someone who is ready to work,” says Thompson, who has a personal interest in finding a really talented Idol, since SonyBMG, the record company he represents as marketing and A&R director, will record the Idols winner's albums.
“Idols doesn't make you an instant star – Idols gives you an opportunity to work very hard in the entertainment industry to make yourself a star,” he points out. “And that hunger for success is what I will be looking for in this year's contestants.”
Louw, an experienced stage performer in her own right, advises, “Just sing the tune. Don't try to sound like Beyoncé or Mariah Carey doing vocal callisthenics. Remember that you can't recreate a slickly-produced sound in a chilly audition room. Just sing the song as it's written. If you can sing, we'll hear it…”
Abrahams feels the same way. After decades in radio and three seasons of Idols, he's heard it all. “Don't try to be too fancy,” he urges contestants this year. “Pick a song we wouldn't already have heard ad nauseam and which really showcases your voice, and just sing it.”
5fm DJ Gareth Cliff's advice is the most practical. “Stand up straight and don't fart,” he warns. “No, seriously – just don't sing ‘You Raise Me Up'. Everyone thinks they can sing that song and, listen, they can't.”
And remember that this year there is no entry form to fill out. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 30 can enter Idols simply by turning up at an audition. An ID document or birth certificate will be required as proof of age. Contestants younger than 21 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or bring a signed consent form which is available for download from the Idols website at www.mnet.co.za.
Idols launches on M-Net on 19 August, Sunday at 5.30pm.
