Will a Rhode Islander Be the Next American Idol?

Courtesy of Idol Across America / American Idol

If there’s anything our recent guide to local live music has taught us, it’s that Little Rhody is bursting with talent. And now there’s an opportunity to share it with the rest of the nation: “Idol Across America” is inviting Rhode Islanders to prove they’ve got the pipes via a Zoom audition with an “American Idol” producer.  The open call serves as the first round of the hit show’s seventh season on ABC, and allows hopefuls to meet with producers ‘face-to-face’ for real-time feedback. From there, the producers will decide who will advance to the next round for a chance at superstardom.

As many local “Idol” fans will remember, Erika Van Pelt of South Kingstown is the most successful contestant to come out of the Ocean State to date, having placed tenth during its eleventh run on Fox. Other locals who have gained notoriety on the national singing competition scale include Emily Luther of Woonsocket and Kara McKee (Governor Dan McKee’s daughter, no less) of Cumberland, both of whom made it to the playoffs and battle rounds, respectively, on “the Voice,” as well as Hueston, a North Kingstown-born singer/songwriter who became an early frontrunner on NBC’s short-lived “American Song Contest.”

So, think you can go just as far, or even take the “American Idol” title home? Better start warming up those vocals now, as the live virtual auditions are coming up on Wednesday, September 6. You can reserve a time slot here, or if you can’t make that date, the show is also accepting prerecorded video submissions here. To learn more about “Idol Across America” and the audition process, visit abc.com/shows/american-idol/auditions. We hope to see some familiar faces on our screens come the show’s premiere in the spring!