Apparently, everyone wants to be a rock star.
Nearly 2,000 pop-singer wannabes camped out in the Financial District yesterday in hopes of landing an audition for Fox’s coveted reality show, “American Idol.”
Blankets, sleeping bags, chairs, coffee cups and discarded candy wrappers lined Wall and Hanover streets, as eager singers – ages 16 to 24 – awaited their shot at greatness.
“We were here all night,” said Sal Forestier, 21, of Staten Island. “We were in the coldest corner of the building ever. I think I have to defrost.”
Justina Rossi and Meghan Marraccini, who traveled from Pittsburgh, were waiting since 8 p.m. Wednesday – though the auditions started at 8 a.m. yesterday morning.
“I’m really excited because I haven’t done anything big like this before,” said Rossi, snuggling with her friend in a big blanket.
But Rossi almost didn’t get a chance to audition – she missed out on getting one of the 1,500 wristbands handed out the night before.
“I had to pay someone $100 for a wristband,” she said. “The girl got fed up, took my money and just left.”
Although audition call time was at 8, people who arrived at 6 a.m. were told to clear away by police officers with megaphones.
Some of them cried. But others sang.
“I got here at 6 a.m. and they told me to leave,” said Tori Diaz, 17, who was belting out a gospel song in front of the line.
“I just want a chance to be heard and give a gift to people. I thought it was cool how they had open auditions and anyone could try out . . . but now people are getting attacked like dogs.”
Once the young talents got inside, they were split up into three groups.
Throughout the weekend, they will have two preliminary auditions with producers of the show.
Then, it will be narrowed down to an audition for judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Johnson on Monday. After that, it’s off to Hollywood.
“We’re looking for talent,” said David Goffin, senior producer for the hit TV show. “Talent is a subjective thing. You know it when you see it. There’s always that X factor, which is elusive. And at the end of the day we’re going to find some great people here in New York.”
“Justin Guarini is from the New York area and he came in second in our competition [in the first ‘American Idol.’] He was 116 in line that day, I remember.”
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MEET THE WANNABES
Name: Eryn Shewell
Age: 18
From: Jackson, N.J.
How long she waited: Since 4 p.m. Wednesday
Background: Plays guitar and sings at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., and the Arlington Grocery and Luna Lounge in New York; plays guitar in three different bands; writes own songs; just graduated from high school
Style: Bluesy rock
Song she sang: “God Bless America,” because it “makes people cry.”
Favorite “American Idol” star: “Kelly has an incredible voice.”
Idol: Patsy Kline
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Name: Kristin Lindstrom
Age: 23
From: Greenwich, Conn.
How long she waited: Since 4 p.m. Wednesday
Background: Junior at University of Connecticut
Style: Soul, funky
Song she sang: “It Hurts So Bad,” by Susan Tedeschi, because “it shows the best range of my voice.”
Favorite American Idol star: Kelly – “I loved when she sang ‘Respect.'”
Idol: Jewel
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Name: Kathryn Procko
Age: 16
From: Norwich, Conn.
How long she waited: Since the night before
Background: Has done a lot of community service and local theater shows; just graduated from Norwich Free Academy
Style: Classic, show tunes
Song she sang: “No One Knows,” from “Jekyll and Hyde.” “I love Broadway, and that song appeals to everyone.”
Favorite “American Idol” star: “Kelly, definitely. She’s a real talent.”
Idol: Judy Garland.