You auditioned for "American Idol" last year by singing Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," which is not a typical "American Idol" song. "Yeah. I tried to `pop' it up a little."
How did that work out? "Well, the people judging were these 18- and 19-year-old girls. One of them was chewing gum, the other was eating a sandwich. They listened. There were five of us (auditioners) in a line and each of us went up and sang. I felt like I was in the Von Trapp family!"The judges were rude and dismissed all of us. I asked why they'd rejected me, and this girl said, in a really Valley Girl-like accent: `Because you're too good, you're too professional.' Later, one of the producers e-mailed, told me the three criterion they were looking for in people they wanted to cast and told me not to feel too bad."
What were those categories? "The first was `freaks and geeks.' Then, there was a category for really overweight, obese people and another for skanky-looking blonds and anybody who looks really trendy, cool and hip. And if any of those people happened to sing well, that was great. But that's not what they're looking for. It was more: `What will make people laugh for the first few episodes?'
"I heard some amazing singers in line, and the judges said `No' to them, too. I realized it's probably based on talent in the final rounds, but it's all about casting in the beginning and who fits the parts that will keep people watching. I realized it wasn't a singing competition.
