Preliminary 'American Idol' auditions today at United Center
Pat D'Andrea, 25, and his sister Maria, 19, of Elk Grove rehearse singing to each other while waiting in line at the United Center on Monday morning for the American Idol Season Nine auditions.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Priscilla Pollison, 24, of Chicago sings along with other contestants while waiting in their designated chutes at the United Center.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Alexis Garwood, 17, and her father Mike of Naperville stand outside of their barricade while waiting to be interviewed by the American Idol cast at the United Center on Monday morning.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
"Backflips" band members Robert Mortimer, left, Jonathan Breedlove, middle, and Scott Doler of Greenville, MS. stand in the rear of their barricade chute while waiting in line at the United Center.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Johniece Jones, 18, of Hillside sings "Halo" by Beyoncé while waiting in line. Jones began singing when she was five-years-old.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Contestants slowly empty their designated chute as they are called into the United Center.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Daniel Cloward, 19, of Chicago, left, tries to squeeze in a quick nap while Sarai Worsham, right, and her boyfriend Benjamin Moss of Jackson, MI. lay back while waiting in line at the United Center.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Contestants waiting in their designated chute cheer in unison for American Idol camera crews at the United Center.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Conor McLaughlin of Boston, MA quietly strums his guitar and sings while waiting at the United Center for the American Idol Season Nine auditions. Light rainfall didn't hold back many contestants as chutes sprouted up with umbrellas and makeshift ponchos.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
"I'm trying to zone in," said Lisa Biel, 19, of Bridgeview who was listening to music so she could focus at the United Center on Monday morning.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Mandy Juncaj, 18, of Detroit Mich. sings "Respect" by Aretha Franklin while taking a break from waiting at the United Center for the American Idol Season Nine auditions.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Contestants quickly grab their things as they head towards the front of the chute to enter the United Center on Monday morning for the American Idol Season Nine auditions.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Joshua Paul Jones, 27, of Kankakee sings "Basket Case" by Green Day with fellow contestants.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
An empty chute is littered with trash as contestant clear the area to enter the United Center on Monday morning.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Contestants who were set free from their designated chutes, after waiting for hours, crowd into the entrance at the United Center on Monday morning for the American Idol Season Nine auditions.
Jason Chiou | Staff Photographer
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.