American Idol Somehow Getting Even Bigger

American Idol, it seems, is a force that will not be stopped.
Beginning in August 2006, the reality phenomenon will turn its tryouts into an Idol Auditions Tour. According to a press release, the tour will stop in 50 cities and will allow an additional 20,000 people to attempt to win over the judges.
In other seasons, the show held auditions in less than 10 cities and some hopefuls, like recent winner Carrie Underwood, had to travel for hours to reach a tryout destination. Spokesperson Ken Seiff said the idea for the tour was born upon learning that one contestant had to sell her wedding ring in order to make the trip. "We realized that there were probably other contestants who couldn't afford to travel or take time off from work in order to try out for the show," Seiff said.
The first 500 people to arrive at each audition site and meet the show's requirements will perform for the judges. The best of the 500 will then sing in front of a live audience in their city to gain access to one of the show's main audition sites.
Dates and cities for the Audition Tour haven't been announced yet but officials say it will take place in time for the show's sixth season.
Jasime Trias, a native of Hawaii and third-place finisher in Idol's third season, said the tour will open doors for people who, like her, wouldn't have been able to travel for an audition. "American Idol changed my life and I'd hate to think that there's some performer out there who won't be given the chance to shine because they can't make it to an audition," she said. "This is a great opportunity."
Auditions for American Idol's fifth season will be held later this summer in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Boston, Memphis and San Diego.

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