I stood in line at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee with what seemed like a million more people than the first rounds of auditions in August to get my number for season 7 of American Idol. I had passed through the 3 preliminary rounds well with little to no nerves. Each time I had sung Hurt by Christina Aguilera but had decided to take more of a risk today. I wanted to make an impression on Randy, Paula and Simon and I knew that the only way to do this was to look and sound like a strong, Shirley Manson type rocker with a great voice. Rock music was what I loved anyway so it made things much easier. No one knew exactly where I was at this moment because I didn't want a lot of questions about it before it was more of a real thing. I just told everyone that I was going to a coaching clinic out of town for a few days to learn more difficult stunts for my cheerleaders to do. Everyone bought it since they knew from the minute I had taken over the cheerleaders I was trying to learn all I could to be the best coach for them. We had 3 guys make the team this year, the first guys on the squad since the 70's, and everyone knew that I wanted to get a bid to nationals this year. If anyone knew that this 26 year old Little Rock, Arkansas math teacher with grand cheerleading aspirations was possibly going to throw it all away to sing on national television I'd never hear the end of it.
I got my number, 2424, and was feeling a bit of luck as I placed it on my stomach since 24 was my lucky number. I tried my best to not over practice my song so it would sound genuine. Once they called my row to go line up I popped the headphones of my IPod in my ears and listened to the arrangement the choir teacher at my school had recorded for me. I told her that I wanted to do something for the school talent show, not that I wanted to take a rock song and crank up the difficulty for American Idol. I'd hum every once in a while, but didn't want to really say to do anything to get me noticed. There were a few in my group that were obviously there for their 15 minutes of fame and I didn't want to get portrayed that way. I was there by myself and that was already enough to get me some looks.
When the girl in front of me went in, I took my headphones off and put them in my pocket. I ran my hands through my shoulder length brown hair and straightened the front of my red t-shirt. It had 2 arms coming down from the shoulder seams down the front on the shirt covered in tattoos. I thought with all the tattoos on the arms on the shirt that they might overlook the 2 of the 4 real tattoos on me that could be seen. I had a purple pi symbol on my right wrist and a blue star with a red cherry blossom on my right foot that were visible at this moment.
When the girl before me walked out without a golden ticket, I stood up and walked towards Ryan Seacrest. He was actually taller than I though, but I am a short girl so everyone is tall compared to me. He put an arm around me and asked me if I was ready. I nodded then walked in the door. I was surprised to see so many cameras and so many people in the room with the judges. They do a great job of hiding all this for TV. I stood on the mark on the floor, cleared my throat and smiled at the judges.
Paula looked up from her papers and said, "So you're name is Jessica Tackett and you're a high school teacher and cheer coach in Little Rock, Arkansas."
I nodded. "Yes ma'am."
"And do you think you can be the next American Idol?" Randy asked as he reached for his Coke cup.
I nodded as I tucked some hair behind my ear. "Yes sir. I think it's time for Idol to have a female rocker."
"Got to love that southern charm." Randy laughed. "And what are you going to sing for us?"
I could feel my hands instantly turn clammy and a hot flash come over me. I tried my best to hide it. "I'm going to sing Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden."
I heard Simon mumble, "This should be interesting." I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and began to sing. By the third line I opened my eyes to see Paula nodding and Simon scribble something on the papers in front of him. They actually let me get through the first verse and the whole chorus before stopping me. They all kind of sat there for a moment before Simon started. "You know, we don't typically have any luck with female rockers or, well, rockers in general.
I nodded and replied, "I'd like to be the exception to that rule."
Simon shot me a cocky smile. "I think you may just be. Randy?"
"I think that was good. Real good. I can hear more than just a rock girl in there but it was cool. I say yes."
Paula bounced in her seat. "It was nice to hear a song for the first time in these auditions and the fact that you rearranged it was nice. I think you're wonderful. I say yes."
Simon nodded. "That's 3 yeses."
I giggled and bounced a bit as I thanked them, got my golden ticket and went outside to show it off. The people sitting outside clapped for me as Ryan gave me a hug. Once I talked to all the people I needed to get my information for Hollywood Week, I ran to my hotel that was just 3 blocks away from the FedEx Forum and sat down to call my parents. I knew they would be excited for me. After I got off the phone, I packed up all my stuff, checked out of the hotel and started my 2 hour drive home.
The whole drive all I could think about was how this would change everything. I would be going to Hollywood in January, during the middle of basketball season, which meant we cheered up to 3 nights a week. That would be when we would be getting ready for state cheer competition to try for our bid to nationals. I'd have to take time off of work. I'd have to find someone to be a fill in coach for me. And that's right when we'd be having semester exams. I hated having exams after Christmas break. Then I started to think what if I made it past Hollywood Week to the top 24. I'd have to quit my job, give up the cheerleaders, find someplace for my 2 dogs and cat to live. I'd have to figure a way to pay my bills without a job. The more I thought about it, the more I was worried about if I did make it how much things would have to change but if I didn't make it I'd be miserable. I tried to shake that feeling out of my head, but I got the feeling that would be my motivation for as long as I lasted in the competition.
I said out loud in my car, "I guess if I'm going to try to make it all the way I need to get into some voice classes and amp up my workout routine." I nodded to myself and started making a mental checklist of all the things I needed to start doing once I got home.
