Sophomore Meyling Velez’s hands smell like shark guts from a dissection project in her biology class. With smelly hands, and only a few hours until another exam, instead of studying, Velez was pacing in the halls in the Boca campus Student Union singing.
Biology major Velez was one of the 31 contestants who participated in Owl TV’s FAU Idol contest on Friday and Saturday. “I’ve practiced for a whole month,” said Velez, who spent her time in the hallway warming up her voice for the contest.
All contestants had to sing in front of two Owl TV judges. The winners of FAU Idol will get time in a studio to record a single from Hoot/Wisdom Recordings – FAU’s student-run record label. Owl TV is working with FAU’s Program Board to arrange for the winner to open for the next Program Board sponsored concert at FAU.
“Basically we are gonna get these top three contestants some pretty banging prize packages,” said Owl TV judge Alyshi Klein.
Sophomore Zeus Grant, who claims to be a cross between Bob Marley and Biggie Smalls, decided to go with a reggae inspired performance.
“Originality is always good,” said the engineering major. Grant’s unique act paid off and got the judges noticing. “I was so impressed,” said Owl TV judge Christina Gazzia. “I just kept thinking, he’s really good.”
After signing up, FAU Idol contestants were led into a tiny room and placed in front of a camera. After the performance, the judges gave their brutality honest comments in true American Idol fashion and sent the contestants off with a free T-shirt. Although Grant and Velez’s performances went well, other performers were not as lucky.
“This one girl had to know she was really bad,” Klein said, referring to contestant #22. “She just wanted a free T-shirt, we felt bad so we gave her two.”
Other contestants were no stranger to taking a risk and singing in front of judges. In fact, junior commercial music major Michael Focas auditioned for American Idol.
“They [American Idol judges] told me it didn’t go so well,” Focas said. “I believe it’s because I chose a song that wasn’t really mainstream. That’s why I chose Edwin McCain for FAU Idol.”
Focas said he felt more comfortable about his FAU Idol performance than his Idol performance, and again the judges took notice.
“I really liked him,” judge Gazzia said. “And he’s cute.”
Think you have what it takes to be an FAU Idol? Owl TV is holding another audition in the Breezeway on the Boca campus on Monday Nov. 19 between 1:00-4:00p.m. If you’re not a singer and just want to sit back and watch everyone else, all of the performances are online on Owl TV’s Facebook group at www.facebook.com. (You must have a Facebook account to join the group). You can also vote for your favorite FAU Idol by e-mailing your vote to [email protected].
Click here to see behind the scenes from a contestant’s point of view.
