Hundreds line up for shot at final American Idol

SAN FRANCISCO - SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) -- The line outside San Francisco’s Cow Palace began growing in the early morning hours Tuesday as hopefuls gathered to take a shot at being selected for the final season of Fox’s hit show – American Idol.

Senior Supervising Producer Patrick Lynn said there was not set type of performer that they were looking for in the San Francisco auditions.

“We’re not looking for the same thing we had before,” he said. “We are looking for different superstars -- someone who is really going to give you the ‘Wow!’ factor.”

“We are looking for people who make us say – ‘I want to see you again. That’s not the easiest thing to fill because you got a lot or nerves and other things going on. But just know we are looking for a superstar. If that is you, you are in the right place.”

Among those who hope they have that ‘Wow’ factor was Dominique Chatman from Vallejo.

“I got up at 4 a.m. and now I’m here and ready to go,” she said adding her song for the judges would be Beyonce’s “Listen.”

Matthew Sequeira drove all the way from Merced.  While he has been singing for much of his life, he only took up the guitar two years ago.

He said taking up the guitar has gotten him ready for the audition since it has allowed him to sing for people on a moment’s notice.

“I used to play the piano, but you can’t carry that around with you,” he said. “You can carry it (the guitar) to school and sing for people.”

The hopefuls must be between the ages of 15-28 and if a minor need to have a note from a parent giving them permission to try out for the show.

They will be ushered into the Cow Palace to sing in front one of several booths manned by judges.

If they make the first day cut, they will return on Wednesday to perform again with the best advancing to finally appear before Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban.

First debuting in 2002, American Idol will be entering its final season in 2016.

Airing in January 2016, Season 15 will pay tribute to the past 14 seasons and will return some of the show’s most notable alumni.