Waiting For Fame

Every year, thousands of pop star wannabes take the day off from work, camp out for hours, and endure sizzling summer heat with one common dream -- the dream of becoming the next American Idol. As they wait for their turn to face the judges, they become one big family united by their fantasies of record deals, magazine shoots, and pimped-out tour buses.

So, what's it like to be behind the scenes and in the crowd during those American Idol auditions?

This photo gallery gives us an idea.

Beauty Rituals

Behind the scenes, the hopefuls make sure that they will look their best when they face the judges -- even if that means wearing rollers in public.

Good Luck Charms

The hopefuls hold on to their good luck charms -- even if it's a humongous stuffed frog.

Yellow Bracelets

The hopefuls wear their yellow audition bracelets proudly. But what they really want is a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Love In The Air

With so many sweaty people waiting in the crowd, you'd think it would be body odor in the air. But sometimes it's just love.

Faces In The Crowd

The hopefuls have different strategies for making sure their faces won't be forgotten.

When the hopefuls feel lost in the crowd, they express themselves with colorful signs.

Things happen while the hopefuls are waiting for their American Idol auditions -- like labor. Welcome Jamil Idol McCowan to the world!