Idols auditions come to Carnival City

The series is a co-production between pay-television channels M-Net and Mzansi Magic, which will simulcast all the episodes.

“Back in 2002, Heinz Winckler was the second singer in the world to win an Idols title, only months after Will Young became the first ever ‘Pop Idol’ in the UK,” said Lani Lombard, M-Net’s head of M-Net Publicity and Special Projects.

“It will be another first for Idols when we audition on the East Rand.”

Idol’s strictest judge, Randall Abrahams, can’t wait to kick off his 10th stint on the show.

“I’m rubbing my hands together in glee at the prospect of new victims,” he said.

“I’m in training, I’m eating well, I’m getting a lot of sleep, I’m working out at the gym … I’m going to be fighting fit for the battle ahead.”

Abrahams pointed out that Idols Season Nine, which took place last year, boasted the highest calibre of talent ever in the history of the show.

“There is no doubt that the standard keeps improving in leaps and bounds every year,” he said.

“This year’s aspiring superstars had better bring their A-game.”

Auditions will take place at Carnival City on Saturday, February 15, from 9am until 8pm.

South African citizens between the ages of 16 and 30 (on the day of their audition) are eligible to enter.

Those younger than 18 have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and all contestants will be asked to present their ID documents at the registration, which will take place on the day of auditioning.

Musical instruments will be allowed in the audition room.

Thereafter, auditions will also take place at Durban’s Playhouse Theatre on February 22, in Cape Town, at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, on March 9, and at the State Theatre, in Pretoria, on March 22.

“This is the first year that Carnival City will be hosting the Idols auditions, and we certainly hope that the 2014 Idols contest is won by someone who has auditioned with us,” said Carnival City’s general manager, Derek Panaino.