Allison Stice, The Island Packet, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
The celebrity judges of "American Idol" -- Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson -- hosted an early round of auditions for potential stars Thursday at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah.
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The contestants, winnowed from a casting call in late July in Charleston, were barred from speaking to the media. They crowded the hotel lobby with numbers pinned to their chests, waiting to hear if they would make it to Hollywood. The judges, along with show host Ryan Seacrest, held the press conference behind a table familiar to millions of Americans to speak about the show's 11th season, which starts Jan. 22. Lopez, who recently announced she was returning for another season, said the crop of talent in Savannah was spectacular, and several people had already been picked for the next round. Sharing advice and experience with young talent is the reason being an "Idol" judge is "one of the best things I've ever done," Lopez said.
"Walking in here, they're working at a diner, and we get to watch them grow into a superstar," Lopez said.
Tyler, sporting a wide-brimmed purple hat with feathers, said it's a joy for him to watch the young singers develop.
Veteran judge Randy Jackson said viewers should expect some surprises this season as producers and judges debate changes to the show's format, such as voting rules and caps on how many times viewers can vote by text message. The most popular show on television, "American Idol" has been nominated for 10 Primetime Emmy Awards this year, including Seacrest's nomination for Outstanding Host. The finale from last season drew 29.3 million viewers, as Scotty McCreery became the latest "Idol" to win a recording contract, joining previous winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
A Georgia native, Seacrest said he was happy to show off the "character and charm of the South" to the judges during their stint in Savannah, and he was rooting for the local contestants. The panel also spoke about ex-judge Simon Cowell, who will judge British singing competition show "The X Factor" for its first season in the United States this year. The rival show airs in September on FOX, the same network that airs "American Idol." Lopez said all singing shows can coexist without making it a competition for ratings, but Jackson had a few words about his former colleague.
"Walking in here, they're working at a diner, and we get to watch them grow into a superstar," Lopez said.
Tyler, sporting a wide-brimmed purple hat with feathers, said it's a joy for him to watch the young singers develop.
Veteran judge Randy Jackson said viewers should expect some surprises this season as producers and judges debate changes to the show's format, such as voting rules and caps on how many times viewers can vote by text message. The most popular show on television, "American Idol" has been nominated for 10 Primetime Emmy Awards this year, including Seacrest's nomination for Outstanding Host. The finale from last season drew 29.3 million viewers, as Scotty McCreery became the latest "Idol" to win a recording contract, joining previous winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
A Georgia native, Seacrest said he was happy to show off the "character and charm of the South" to the judges during their stint in Savannah, and he was rooting for the local contestants. The panel also spoke about ex-judge Simon Cowell, who will judge British singing competition show "The X Factor" for its first season in the United States this year. The rival show airs in September on FOX, the same network that airs "American Idol." Lopez said all singing shows can coexist without making it a competition for ratings, but Jackson had a few words about his former colleague.