Review eligibility requirements before making any plans. Contestants must be between the ages of 16 and 28, and they cannot have preexisting agreements with any talent representation or record labels. The next American Idol does not necessarily need to be American, but she must be able to legally work in America for the duration of the show.
Decide what city you want to try out in. Most singers choose the city closest to their home, but some plan to travel to many cities, auditioning several times to improve their chances.
Choose two or three songs to perform. Although you will want music that shows off your talents and abilities, don't pick a song that is too challenging. Remember that during your audition you will most likely be nervous and exhausted. A song that you struggle with in the privacy of your bedroom will be even harder to perform in front of the judges. Your song selections should fall easily in your natural voice range, and they should complement your style and personality.
Register before the audition. Registration usually becomes available two days before try outs begin. The earlier you register, the sooner you will be allowed to audition. If you wait until the last minute, you won't be guaranteed an audition slot.
Bring two forms of identification with you when registering. If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must also be present at both the registration and the audition.
Choose your audition outfit carefully. Not only do you want to impress the judges with your look, you will need to avoid clothing that won't be allowed on television because of copyright infringement or censorship rules. This includes brand names, advertising, pictures of celebrities, logos, sport teams or profanity.
Arrive on time or early for try outs. No one is guaranteed an audition, so if you end up in the back of the line you may never make it to the judges.
Act confident, no matter how nervous you are. Walk into the audition room boldly with a smile on your face. If you mess up, don't stop and apologize. Just keep singing. If you act like you are the best choice for the next American Idol, the judges just might believe you.