LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
More than 150 reality series hopefuls lined the sidewalks in downtown Norfolk practicing for their auditions March 31.
Near the back of the line, Senior Airman Wuanel Thompson, Combat Air Force Logistics Support Center technician practiced his lines for his chance to sign a contract with Bad Boy Entertainment and be the star of Sean "Diddy" Combs' reality series, "Making the Band 4."
Before the auditions began, contestants received a sheet of paper offering six different songs with lyrics. They were to choose the song that best expressed their style and pitch.
"If you're lucky, you might get to sing two lines in front of the judges," said Susan Salgado an MTV casting director. "You get one chance; give it all you got."
"Making the band" takes average but talented men and women from their homes and turns them into platinum selling artists. On the show, contestants vie for their spot to become a member of the final product while the cameras follow their everyday life.
"Everyone in line today will get a chance to be the next big thing," said Michael Bivins, celebrity judge who sang with New Addition and Bel Biv Devoe. "We only need two people for the show, so I hope everyone is ready."
This season's "Making the Band" will highlight an all-male rhythm and blues group to be the next big group on "Diddy's" record label. Judges included Michael Bivins, who discovered the male group Boys II Men; Jack Knight, songwriter and producer; SLAM, Bad Boy's director of Artist and Repertoire; and Bink Dawg, a Norfolk native who produced records for Jay-Z.
"We think it's great the military came out to audition today," said SLAM. "Music is a great way to express yourself, especially with the country at war."
Of the more that 150 hopefuls, more than 10 percent were servicemembers from Hampton Roads.
"This is it; this could be my big break," said Marquis Richardson, a delayed enlistment Airman who leaves for basic military training next month. "I've been waiting for this chance forever."
While video cameras and reporters lined the sidewalk, Airman Thompson practiced his lines one last time before he entered the audition room.
"I'm nervous, but I'm ready to get this over with," Airman Thompson said. "Everything happens for a reason; I'm just blessed to be given the chance to try."
Inside the auditioning room, contenders sang their songs. Depending on their skill, judges would tell the singers to stop, then criticize or congratulate. If a singer showed potential for the band, the candidate would receive a yellow slip of paper telling him to return for callbacks, which took place April 1.
After the judges allowed Airman Thompson to sing two verses of the song, "If I Ever Fall in Love Again," by Shai, judges applauded and told the Airmen he had great tone and good vocals. When Airman Thompson exited the room, there was no sign of a yellow sheet.
"They told me I did a good job," said Airman Thompson. "I just put it all on the line and can't regret trying. Maybe next time."
Only a handful of contestants from Hampton Roads will appear on the television show airing late spring.