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Friends kill time in the Canadian Idol queue. (Ken Regular photo) 
Canadian Idol's Toronto registration desk (Ken Regular photo) |
Idol hopefuls share dreams of fame on Yonge St.
Updated Sat. May. 6 2006 12:16 PM ET
Ken Regular, CTV.ca News Staff
Hopes and dreams of fame permeate the crisp morning air on Yonge Street's sidewalk.
At 7:30 a.m. there are thousands of hopeful singing stars huddled under blankets, waiting for the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre to open its doors for day one of Canadian Idol auditions.
Confidence abounds among the young men and women standing on the sidewalk.
Each one is sure the judges they meet today will see their 'star-potential' and offer a chance to compete for Idol's top prize; a music recording contract.
It takes only a few steps through the crowd to hear someone singing.
At first a popular top-40 song can be heard. Take a few more steps and a folksy rendition of a classic rock tune is being strummed on a guitar.
Music is everywhere as people put the finishing touches on their auditions.
"It's, like, been amazing," Lauren Sears said moments before meeting one of the show's producers.
"Because everybody's around you and they're singing and it's just, like, beautiful, no matter what everyone is surrounding you, so it's cool."
Show producers say Canadian Idol provides maximum exposure for aspiring artists. Critics call it a star factory.
But contestants see it as the opportunity of a lifetime. It is fair to say most are pursuing their dreams of stardom. But many are motivated by other desires.
"I love performing, it has always been a passion of mine," school teacher Candace Huntly said.
"It's almost like, for however long I'm on stage I get to be someone else or something else or I get to play a different character (or) make an art form for people to listen to and I like that."
Also in the crowd are supportive parents, watching over their teenaged children and beaming with pride.
Moms and dads tag along through the long waits before and between auditions. They are required to be here for any child younger than 18 years. But they treat it as a labour of love.
Dr. Brian Walls drove five hours from Windsor, Ont. with his wife and 16-year-old daughter Britney just to get a spot in line.
"She loves to sing and she feels that this could help her to develop that talent and make people smile and happy," Walls -- a recipient of the Order of Canada -- told CTV.ca. "(She) makes me smile and happy and that's why I got up so early in the morning to be here."
He said that Canada is the "best country in the world to live" and Canadian Idol showcases the country's talent to millions.
Walls hopes Britney gets a chance to win, but his advice is "to just have fun."
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