Brandon Green of Chelyan is broadcast to audiences at Disney World's American Idol Experience, an attraction that replicates the hit show. The 20-year-old survived two auditions, a preliminary and a final round to win a prize granting him VIP access at a future "American Idol" audition.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You won't see Brandon Green on "American Idol" when season 11 kicks off Wednesday, but you just might see him next year.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You won't see Brandon Green on "American Idol" when season 11 kicks off Wednesday, but you just might see him next year.
On Christmas day, the 20-year-old from Chelyan won a Dream Ticket at Disney World's American Idol Experience attraction. It allows him VIP treatment at this summer's auditions for season 12. He'll get to bypass the line and pre-screenings and go straight in to sing for the judges at whatever audition he chooses.
American Idol Experience opened at Disney World in 2009. It replicates the hit show on a smaller scale.
"You have to go through preliminaries and different auditions," said Green, who was at the park with his dad and stepmom. "They audition you first on the street, then if they think you're good enough, they take you inside to meet a producer. If he thinks you're good enough, he'll put you in one of the shows for the people at the park."
Shows take place hourly from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., each featuring three people selected by the producer. A live audience of 1,000 people then votes for their favorite singer, using electronic keypads on the seats. The seven preliminary winners compete in a final round at 7 p.m.
Green, a Riverside High School show choir veteran and two-time "Charleston's Teen Idol" finalist, first auditioned at 1 p.m. He passed, sang for the producer and was put in the 4 p.m. preliminary show. There, he sang Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most," one of his choices from an approved list of songs.
The set was just like the real thing, he said, noting that the rest of the experience was similar, too. "There were judges on the final show, and you went through all the stuff it would be like if you were on the show -- a vocal coach, hair and makeup, rehearsal time."
He even had fans.
"During the day, after I won the first show, I was out in the park and I had people come up to take pictures and ask me to sign autographs," he said. "It was crazy!"
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You won't see Brandon Green on "American Idol" when season 11 kicks off Wednesday, but you just might see him next year.
On Christmas day, the 20-year-old from Chelyan won a Dream Ticket at Disney World's American Idol Experience attraction. It allows him VIP treatment at this summer's auditions for season 12. He'll get to bypass the line and pre-screenings and go straight in to sing for the judges at whatever audition he chooses.
American Idol Experience opened at Disney World in 2009. It replicates the hit show on a smaller scale.
"You have to go through preliminaries and different auditions," said Green, who was at the park with his dad and stepmom. "They audition you first on the street, then if they think you're good enough, they take you inside to meet a producer. If he thinks you're good enough, he'll put you in one of the shows for the people at the park."
Shows take place hourly from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., each featuring three people selected by the producer. A live audience of 1,000 people then votes for their favorite singer, using electronic keypads on the seats. The seven preliminary winners compete in a final round at 7 p.m.
Green, a Riverside High School show choir veteran and two-time "Charleston's Teen Idol" finalist, first auditioned at 1 p.m. He passed, sang for the producer and was put in the 4 p.m. preliminary show. There, he sang Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most," one of his choices from an approved list of songs.
The set was just like the real thing, he said, noting that the rest of the experience was similar, too. "There were judges on the final show, and you went through all the stuff it would be like if you were on the show -- a vocal coach, hair and makeup, rehearsal time."
He even had fans.
"During the day, after I won the first show, I was out in the park and I had people come up to take pictures and ask me to sign autographs," he said. "It was crazy!"
After he won, it was even crazier. "I had people lined up!"
In the finals, he competed against singers from all over the world, including one from South Korea and another from Cuba. They all performed to a packed house.
"The show was standing room only," Green said. "On the outside of the theater, they had a huge screen; there were hundreds of people outside watching it live. They couldn't vote, but they could watch."
After Green was named the winner and the confetti rained down, he had to wait about 30 minutes before getting his prize, which currently resides in a lockbox in Florida.
"They took me backstage and waited for everyone to clear out," he said. "Then, the director of Disney came to escort the ticket to me."
Next season's audition dates haven't been announced yet. Green said if there is one in Florida, he will probably go to it. In the meantime, he'll continue his regular life, taking classes toward his elementary education major at Marshall University and attending the Church of Jesus Christ in Cabin Creek, where he plays piano and serves as music director.
Perhaps this time next year, though, he'll be on a path like that of Aaron Kelly. The young Pennsylvanian won a Dream Ticket at the American Idol Experience and went on to finish fifth in the real competition in 2010.
Reach Amy Robinson at 304-348-4881 or flips...@wvgazette.com.
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