13,000 turn out for Texas 'Idol' tryouts

Irving, Texas -- "American Idol" producers say about 13,000 people showed up at Texas Stadium to audition for the seventh season of the reality show behemoth.

"Idol" hopefuls started arriving at the stadium before 4 a.m., armed with sleeping bags and pillows, and by 8 a.m., the line of super-star wannabes stretched two dozen wide around a quarter of the building, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported Tuesday.

"Singing is my passion," said 24-year-old Nina Shaw, of Burleson. "I've wanted this for so long."

"The line is long, but we hope it's worth it," 22-year-old Marta McCoy, of Lubbock, told the Star-Telegram.
This was only the first round of auditions.

Executive producers will pare the group down next month and the show will air on Fox in the United States in January.

Auditions will also be held in Miami, Philadelphia, Omaha, Atlanta and Charleston.

"Idol" producers kept a tight lid on performances, which were held on one side of the football field, while friends and relatives, who filled the other side of Texas Stadium, were barred from watching the auditions.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.