Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
ABC’s ‘American Idol’ reboot planning auditions in Miami
Hey, South Florida, do you have what it takes to be the next “American Idol?”
The ABC reboot of the popular singing reality show will have auditions Saturday at Miami Marine Flex Park, 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway in Virginia Key. The stop is part of a nationwide tour of open-casting calls for the show, a former ratings juggernaut that aired on FOX television from 2002 to 2016.
Longtime host Ryan Seacrest is expected to return for the revamped version when it debuts in early 2018. There will be a format change from the previous incarnation, according to media reports.
To audition, singers must be ages 15 to 28 and legal U.S. residents, according to the show’s guidelines. They must bring a photograph and valid form of identification.
People can register in person beginning at 9 a.m. the day of the audition, register in advance online, or send in a video audition by visiting Americanidol.com.
The original show became the launching pad for some of today’s most popular singers, including Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and its very first winner, Kelly Clarkson. According to the “American Idol” website, alumni are responsible for 14 Grammys, more than 60 million album sales, 80 Platinum records, 95 Gold records, 450 Billboard No. 1 hits, 260 million digital downloads, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award.
South Florida is a popular spot for recruiting reality stars. Popular contestants from here have included: Fort Lauderdale real estate agent Justin Starrett and Miami photographer Troy Robertson on “Survivor;” Hollywood native Mikey Heverly and Lauderdale Lakes resident Renee Bhagwandeen on “America’s Next Top Model;” and Weston’s Victoria Rafaeli and Palm Beach Gardens’ Zach Rance on “Big Brother.”