Living The X-Factor

Earlier this year, Daughter wanted to audition for the television show - "The X-Factor".  She was so excited, working hard trying to determine what song she would sing for her audition.  For the last several years, her audition songs have usually been from theater musicals.  However, for this audition, she did NOT want a song from the theater world.  She kept saying it NEEDED to be a Pop or Country song.  "Theater songs are NOT going to get me on the radio, mom." ("Like, DUHHH, mom.  What are you thinking?  Get with the program, mom.")  Daughter didn't really say the part in parenthesis, but I am sure that's what she was thinking.

We spent about a month of her waffling back and forth regarding what song she would sing.  Finally, it was decided.  But then after a week of rehearsing it, she changed her mind and didn't like the song anymore and wanted a different song. "Really, Daughter?  What's wrong with the song?  You sound great!"  "Mom, you just don't get it.  There is just something about the song that doesn't feel like the song I should sing."   "Yes, Daughter, I don't get it.  And I don't get you....but what do I know.  I'm just your mother."  LOL!

So a new song was selected.  And then another new song; and again, another new song.  Eventually she did settle on a country song by Carrie Underwood, but it was not an easy journey in order to reach her final song selection.

Once we got through that "painful" process of deciding on a song, the wardrobe and hair drama began....

"Should I wear a dress?"  "What about a skirt and top, instead?"  "Maybe I should wear my jeans with a t-shirt?"  "If I go with the dress, does this sweater go with the outfit?"  "Do you like this color on me?"  "Oh no, what shoes should I wear?"  "Should I wear flats or heels?"  "Does the design of the shoes match the outfit?"  "How shall I wear my hair?"  "Up or down?"  "Pig tails or pony tails?"  "Headband or barrettes?"  "Hair to the side or to the back?"   AAHHHHH!!!!

Eventually, I tell Daughter: "It's not that important for this open call...just make up your mind - and STICK TO IT!!!    There will be no famous judges at this open call audition with the THOUSANDS of others auditioning for the chance to be on "The X-Factor".  If you get a call-back, then we will re-evaluate your wardrobe and hair options."

As the day is drawing closer for Daughter's audition, I am also finding myself getting caught up in all the fun and excitement of getting her ready...until it comes to a halt!

About two days before the audition, I went online to print out the application forms she would need to register with.  As I am reading through all of the information and fine print on the forms, I discover a minor glitch to her big plan for auditioning.  APPLICANTS NEED TO BE 12 YEARS OLD BY JANUARY 1, 2012.

OH NOOOOOO!!!!!!!  Daughter missed the date by 6 DAYS!!!!  How was I going to tell Daughter, that after all her weeks of preparing, she could not audition.   We knew that the age limit was 12 years old, because last year she wanted to audition, but couldn't because she was only 11 at the time of auditions.  When Season 2 was announced, and we saw the audition dates for Kansas City were in March 2012, Daughter was THRILLED!!!  She would be 12 years old by then.

When I read this requirement and realized her audition wasn't going to happen, several choice words were mumbled under my breath...well, maybe a few weren't mumbled.  LOL!   Anyway, telling her did not go so well.  There were lots of tears, and then a few days of her being bummed out.   What's a mom to do?  After a few days of surfing around "The X-Factor" website, I found a link that went to another website where a person could register to be considered for Audience tickets to the show.

WOOHOOO!!!!  I found my back-up plan...if Daughter couldn't be on stage, perhaps she could see the stage - LIVE!  "The X-Factor" would be back in Kansas City in June for the taping of the show with the talent that was selected to actually audition in front of the famous judges, and hopefully I would receive tickets to that taping.

Jump ahead to May 2012.  I receive an email notifying me that there are tickets available to the taping.  I am so excited and can't wait to tell Daughter when she gets home from school!  I go online, accept the invitation for the tickets, and received my email confirmation.  WE ARE GOING TO THE TAPING!
Daughter is all happy again, and can't wait to be at the show, even if it is from the audience.

The day of the show arrives.  We had made plans with my two other "Crazy Stage Mom" friends and their kids, to have dinner right across from The Sprint Center (where the taping was going to be held) and then get in line about an hour before the doors would open, since it was general admission.  Well, the stars must have been in perfect alignment that day, because while waiting to go in, actual tickets were handed out with seat numbers.   In addition, they were handing out a limited number of tickets for children to sit on the floor near the stage.

As Daughter and her two friends were handed their tickets, LOUD screeching and screaming sounds came out of their mouths.  They so wanted to be on the floor, near the stage, and now they were going to be.  Oh, but now, the plotting and planning would begin regarding how they would not only be on the floor, but how would they get to sit right by the judges???

We enter the arena, and the kids go running for the line to the floor.  Me and my "Crazy Stage Mom" friends actually had really good seats, too.  We were only about 8 rows up from the floor, and right in front of the camera that scans the audience throughout the show.  (I am guessing we may show up at some point on the show.  Hahaha)

Our kids are getting ready to be allowed on the floor, and Daughter asks if they can sit in the front row behind the judges.  The employee asks them if they can scream and act all excited if they are sitting there, and our kids give the employee a preview!  LOL!!!  So off to the front row, behind the judges they are placed!!!!  We "Crazy Stage Moms" are watching in complete amazement, as they are making their way to the front row.    And then it happens....our "Crazy" instincts kick in.  (We are laughing at this point!)

From up in the stands we are trying to communicate with them (rather embarrassingly)... "Make sure to act REALLY excited, scream and clap A LOT."  "Don't be eating and drinking when the cameras are rolling, since you kids will probably end up on camera sometimes because of where you are sitting."  "Make sure your phones are turned off so they don't start ringing during the taping."  "Be sure and go to the bathroom NOW, because you kids can't leave once the taping starts" (which was supposed to be about three hours long).  "DON'T be having conversations with each other when the cameras are rolling, it might be shown on TV."  Oh, and the biggie was..."PLEASE take lots of pictures and video tape what you can, until the producers tell you to put your phones/iTouch's away."

Those weren't too many requests, right?

Anyway, we ALL had a WONDERFUL time!  It was so much fun!!!  And the kids were AWESOME!  So much so, that Daughter lost her voice and could barely sing two days later at our "Fiddler on the Roof" rehearsal.  They took lots of pictures, made a couple of videos and even got autographs.  Daughter was so caught up in the excitement at first, that when Britney Spears started signing her autograph for the kids, Daughter couldn't find anything fast enough for her to sign, so she gave Britney her arm to sign!!!   Love Daughter's quick thinking!!!!

So, I guess we will be watching "The X-Factor" when Season 2 premieres in September 2012 - watching the Kansas City episode for clips of our presence at the taping.  And hopefully our kids followed our "suggestions" while sitting behind the judges.  Hahaha  We will soon find out!!!