‘American Idol’ auditions are coming. How to join these former SouthCoast contestants

If you’ve got the vocal chops, and the courage, this is your chance to audition for one of the big stages in the country.

“American Idol” auditions are taking place across America, and Massachusetts hopefuls will have their chance for virtual auditions.

Whether this is your first time trying to secure your ticket to Hollywood, or you’re a returning crooner, you can sign up now to take your first steps on the road to Tinsel Town and possibly all the way to a recording contract.

Here’s what you need to know about the virtual auditions, as well as a look back at some other local “Idol” hopefuls and contestants:

When and how Massachusetts residents can audition for ‘American Idol’

Massachusetts residents can audition for “American Idol” virtually via Zoom on Friday, Sept. 19.

These are open-call auditions, and hopefuls will be face to face (well, screen to screen) with an “Idol” producer.

During this first round, hopefuls will receive real-time feedback, as they vie for a chance to compete in the latest season of “American Idol.”

“Idols Across America” will feature the live, virtual, nationwide search, with audition days for all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C.

If you think you’ve got the pipes, this could be your chance at that golden ticket to Hollywood.

How to sign up for ‘American Idol’ auditions

To get started submitting a video audition, visit https://abc.com/shows/american-idol/auditions.

To sign up for Idol Across America, visit https://us.castitreach.com/ag/fmna/ai9abc/welcomeOnsite.html. Even if you auditioned last year, you’ll need to make a new profile for this year.

Eligibility requirements apply.

SouthCoast people who nailed it on TV: American idols, Big Brother guests and TV chefs

Some SouthCoast locals who have appeared on ‘American Idol’

Durfee High graduate Jack Colton McGrath competed on “American Idol” in 2018. A singer and guitarist known in the local music scene, he made it past regional auditions and as far as the top 48, before being eliminated in the final solo rounds of Hollywood Week.

At the time, he said being on “American Idol” was “something I will carry with me for the rest of my life and has changed my music career forever for the better.”

Delaney Wilson, a Somerset Berkley graduate who went viral on TikTok as “the singing babysitter,” found her way to Hollywood in 2022.

After being secretly filmed singing “Part of Your World” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” she was invited by “American Idol” producers to audition for the show, thought she did not advance past the first round of auditions with Luke Bryant, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.

In 2021, Danny Falco, who grew up in Taunton, sent in a video audition and returned to “American Idol,” after having auditioned as a teenager.

A 1999 graduate of Taunton HIgh School, Nick Pedro was a contestant during seasons 5 and 6 of the original run of “American Idol,” and he made it as far as the Top 20.

Pedro made it to the Hollywood round during Season 5, but withdrew.

He returned for Season 6, made the final 40 during Hollywood Week, and secured spot in the Top 24, before making it to the Top 20 with his version of Richard Marx’s “Now and Forever.” His final Season 6 performance was Little Willie John’s “Fever.”

In the years since his time on “Idol,” Pedro has given hometown performances, as well as international ones, including performing in Portugal. He’s also performed at the International Portuguese Music Awards.

– With previous reporting by Dan Medeiros, The Herald News and Susannah Sudborough, Taunton Daily Gazette

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Massachusetts American Idol virtual auditions: How to sign up