The select few

Thousands auditioned for 'Idol,' but most are going home, not to the next round

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American Idol Auditions

Thousands turned out to audition for the seventh season of Fox Television's American Idol at the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday.

The "American Idol" audition frenzy is over. Finally.

The outbursts in random public places should settle down, area hotels should have rooms available soon, and the contestants can bathe normally without worrying that they might damage their precious red registration wristbands.

A lucky few songbirds will head to Hollywood for stardom and a spot on the seventh season of the wildly popular TV show, and the rest — well, they headed home empty-handed.

Registration began Thursday, and by audition time on Saturday, nearly 8,000 people — the starry-eyed and their friends and family — crowded the North Charleston Coliseum.

Some were vocalists from the Charleston area who wooed the judges with Southern charm.

Musician Shane Clark, who is from

Moncks Corner and was born blind, was the first person from the area to win a golden ticket signifying advancement to the next round. He sang Marvin Gaye's hit "Sexual Healing."

"Charleston's got a lot of really great talent," Clark said. "You just have to get up there when it's your turn and, like Ray Charles used to say, just try to make it do what it do. I thank everyone over and over again for their continued support in me. ... Let's take this thing as far as we can."

At least one other Charlestonian, Lynn Stafford of West Ashley, also is moving on to the next round. Stafford, 25, and Clark will face off with other contestants from six other cities at an undisclosed date.

When someone asked Stafford when that will be, she replied, "Just look for me. Tell everybody to look for me."

"Idol" officials wouldn't say exactly how many contestants are advancing in the competition.

Although many of those who weren't so lucky were briefly bummed out, they weren't all completely discouraged.

Shannon Williams, 23, of Fayetteville, N.C., said that although things didn't go as planned, she still enjoyed smiling for the cameras and just being among the crowd.

"I know I can sing, so this didn't take anything away from that," Williams said. She sang Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" for her audition, and belted it out two more times outside the coliseum. She wore a shirt with chains illustrated all over and jewelry made of large oval links.

Williams said she would like to audition again in another city, but said that "takes time and money, which I don't have."

Shamika Gary, 22, of Virginia Beach, Va., said she would try again later this month at an "Idol" audition in Philadelphia. She forgot the lyrics Saturday because she decided to change her song choice at the last minute, and said she hadn't rehearsed it enough.

"At least I know what to expect," she said as she crossed the parking lot. She had taken off her snazzy, sequined silver pumps and replaced them with worn black flip-flops.

The contestants exited from one of two doors after they finished: one for the few who advanced, the other for those who didn't.

Although some superstar dreams were likely abandoned at the latter exit, perhaps it helped to have friends and family nearby to ease the letdown.

"Don't ever feel bad. It's not your fault. It's just rigged," said one angry mom, who held a homemade sign to comfort her teary-eyed daughter as they walked away.

Indeed, anxiety had built up in friends and family members throughout the weekend and was as intense for them as it was for the contestants.

LaShanna Auten of Columbia fidgeted with her necklace and couldn't stay still as she waited to hear whether her cousin, Lauren Burrell, 23, would advance in the competition.

"Oh God. I'm ready to cry now," she said. "My theory is no news is good news, so I'm sticking to that now."

Kristie Johnson of Macon, Ga., found relief soon after she learned that she was handed a golden ticket. She initially strolled out of the coliseum cool and collected, but when she reached her family she couldn't contain her excitement.

"I just want to ..." she started saying, but stopped to scream. "I think I'm going to pass out."

Johnson had arrived at 2 a.m. Saturday to prepare herself. She said she would celebrate that night. She pulled off her silver stiletto heels and skipped barefoot to her car.

Reach Tenisha Waldo at twaldo@postandcourier.com or 937-5744.