Seeing the American Idol in person

By Panchamee Hewavissenti

Nokia Theatre in LA

Are you a crazy fan of ‘American Idol’? I’m sure many of you will reply: ‘Yes’. You’re not alone. There are billions of people in the world who are crazy of ‘American Idol.” I really do not know why. Hey...! What if you have an opportunity to go to America to attend the Grand Finale of ‘American Idol’? How would you feel? Fantastic.. wonderful.. amazing.. incredible..

23 year-old Nikketha Ramachandran, Senior Accounts Executive of Q & E Advertising stood a chance to go to America to witness ‘American Idol’. She has a lot to say about the exiting journey to Holleywood from Colombo to get a glimpse of that most popular and much awaited reality TV show. Here’s what she has got to say about her exciting experience.

“ I sent an application for the American Idol Fan competition on ETV, with a small write-up about American Idol. However I was shortlisted for the finals. In the American Trivia round I had to answer questions like why I like the show. Of the previous American Idol winners and their careers, judges and so on.

Those who scored highest marks were selected for the final round. I was among them and was on air at several times. I scored and got 8 out of 10 marks at the final round. While I was on air, I had to convince listeners to vote for me. I had to carry a small campaign which was supported by my office.

I got many people to vote for me through e-mails and friends and family. I got an opportunity to make a public announcement at my cousin’s wedding for the crowd to vote for me. I opened a face book too. However I had to keep reminding those who voted me to continue doing it. Because those who voted me at the beginning, had forgotten to vote for me at the end.

I was overjoyed when the ETV crew came to my house at Kotahena to announce that I have won. It was so exciting and unbelievable. It was a live show which was telecast on ETV. I was taken aback to hear that my dream has come true and I can go to Hollywood.

I got all necessary documents ready for the journey and flew to Los Angelese. I stayed in Quwait one day and fled to LA. It was an exiting experience. It’s a completely different world. So much of amusement. I stayed at Sheraton Hotel in LA. I paid Universal Studio a visit on the 1st day itself. That’s just like an entertainment capital. 2nd day I went to Universal City Walk where I got an opportunity to go on indoor a sky diving session.

The most exciting day of my stay in LA was the day I attended the American Idol reality TV show at the Nokia Theatre. There were lots of people from all corners of the world. Celebrities walked in to the theatre along the press area. I went to the theatre half and hour ahead and anxiously waiting to see the finalists.

Mobiles and cameras were not allowed inside. It’s completely different from what we see on the screen and the screens were huge. They had used advanced audio and visual

 technology that very few theatres in the world have.

There was an entertainer who comes to the audience during commercials. He interacts with the audience and it was really funny. That was also a nice experience and I wished if there were more commercials during the show.

I could see judges and idol contestants in my very eyes. Though there were huge screens to see the show, I often reminded myself not to look at screens but keep on looking at the stage to see the live show.

It was very emotional when David Cook reacted when he was announced the winner. The audience shouted, held placards. That was more like a festive occasion. I got the rare opportunity not only to see them live but to hear them singing ‘live’ on the stage. It’s marvellous...! I could see all judges and celebrities up close. That’s a rare opportunity one gets lifetime.

The show finished at 7.00 p.m. And the contestants and judges were seen among their fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs. There were bodyguards around each and every one of them. Therefore it was difficult for me to get my autographs album signed by them or to pose with them for photographs. But I could capture them in my camera.

I also got a rare opportunity to speak to Fox News. When the crew of Fox News saw me wearing the T- shirt on which printed ‘Sri Lanka’, approached me and talked to me. They’re happy to hear that I’ve come to LA all the way from Sri Lanka. It was special for them.”