How to be Famous in Fifteen Seconds
Ten Steps to Fast Track your Way to Fame, Fortune and Success
Jun 17, 2009
Appearing on shows like American Idol, Britain's Got Talent and X Factor means instant worldwide fame and eventual career success for not just the winners, but most of the finalists and even for those that didn't even make it that far.
Contestants like Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia Borrino won American Idol and went on to have massive music and theatre success, but runner-ups Clay Aitken and Katherine McPhee also had high profile careers.
Jennifer Hudson came seventh in Season three and is now an Oscar-winning actress and singer and Susan Boyle became a worldwide sensation after a video of her surprisingly good audition on Britain's Got Talent was the most viewed ever on Youtube. Also, and X Factor winner Leona Lewis' debut album has sold 6.5million copies worldwide.
Top Ten Tips on Becoming Famous
But you don't have to be a finalist or even be talented to achieve fame on these shows: William Hung's terrible audition in American Idol season three of was panned by the judges yet he has since become a music, TV and movie star.
So here are ten ways to ensure that appearing on any TV talent show makes you famous:
- Have a Routine: You have to do something to feature on the show; whether its singing, dancing or swallowing swords (America's Got Talent). It doesn't have to be good, but your routine should fill 15 seconds of audition time.
- Create a Unique Look: If you don't have a talent you may be able to attract attention because of your distinct look, like having a tattooed face or arriving in a bikini. Sanjaya Malakar (American Idol, season six) wasn't very good but his quirky hair styles entertained America so much they kept voting him to stay.
- Audition: You have to be in it to win it. Auditions take place up to eight months before the show is aired (Regional heats for the ninth series of American Idol starting in January 2010 have already begun.) Check the show's websites to find out when and where.
- Tell a Sad Story: During auditions, the producers may give you more screen time if you have a sad story to tell, e.g. a death in the family, illness, struggle with poverty or failure. This may endear you to viewers and make the judges feel sorry for you, either way you will be noticed.
- Tell a Crazy Story: If you don't have a sad story to share, then tell the judges something crazy, like you gave birth two days before auditioning or you've just arrived from Timbuktu.
- Be Really Bad: If you're great, you go through to the next round, if you're mediocre you get forgotten, but if you're truly awful you will be remembered and even embark on a lucrative career like William Hung.
- Argue with the Judges: If you get rejected, starting an argument with the judges may get you forcefully removed from the show but it'll also get you more screen time and thus more opportunities to become a celebrity.
- Begin a Relationship with a Judge: In season two of American Idol, Corey Clark claimed that he had an affair with Paula Abdul, one of the show's judges. She denied the claims but the allegations further enhanced Clark's profile.
- Keep Coming Back: If you don't get through the first time, keep trying. Alexandra Burke auditioned for X Factor in 2005 but didn't get far, then she returned in 2008 and won.
- Have a Talent: If all else fails, then actually being able to sing/dance/perform may get you noticed.
If these tips don't lead you to instant fame and fortune, at least you'll be recognised in the street. Good luck!
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