Versatile Superstar: Rise in Hollywood

Chapter 1

Aiden got out of the taxi and looked around. His eyes reflected the scene of thousands of people gathered outside the Manhattan arena.

All kinds of people had come here to participate in the auditions for X-Star, a singing program that topped the rating charts all over the American region and was now in its third season.

The first season aired in 2013, and it was now March of 2015, but the ratings were higher than ever before.

Most of the participants were waiting with their family and friends, while some had come alone, like Aiden.

Some had come with the confidence to win the show, while many of them were here for the chance to showcase their raw talent, not confident in their singing abilities yet still hoping to be able to pass the preliminary rounds.

Some people were just there for attention.

They were the ones who had come with the wackiest of outfits to stand out from the rest.

Aiden even saw a woman in her wedding dress while there were even people in cosplay outfits – some dressing up as fantasy elves and troop commanders from sci-fi classics.

'Maybe I should have come dressed as Gandalf? I bet that would have added some magic. Hmm, I wonder how long it will take before my turn comes.'

He thought as he moved through the crowd of people.

The guitar on his back was heavy; thus, it was hard to move through the crowd, but he somehow managed it.

After reaching the hall, he went directly to the counter. There were already many people in line, and he had to wait half an hour before he reached in front of the verification table.

"So you are contestant number 526."

"Yep."

"Take this ID card and go through that door." The staff lady on the other side of the table spoke, "If you are lucky, your turn will come today. Otherwise, you will have to come again early tomorrow morning."

The girl at the counter had scribbled his registration number on an ID card and handed it to him.

Aiden held the card and took another look at the hall before moving towards the door. After checking his ID card, the security staff let him in.

A small passage went on before Aiden found himself in a huge room.

It was filled with over a hundred people with all the seats already occupied. Some people had even bought their own chairs while many were either standing or sitting on the floor.

These people were also contestants like Aiden, who had come for the audition.

When Aiden entered the room, some people glanced at him but lost interest in him after seeing he was just another participant. Aiden quickly found an empty corner and sat down, placing his guitar next to him.

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'I wonder if my turn will come today or not.'

He thought as he leaned against the cold surface of the wall and checked his second-hand watch that he had bought from a friend.

It was only 8:30 in the morning.

Aiden had deliberately come so early because he had heard a lot about how people would wait from the wee hours of the morning, but now he felt like he was already late.

The rumours about people being crazy for the X-Star Auditions were indeed true.

After all, it was their one chance at stardom. If they got selected here, their faces would be on TV, which was itself something to be proud of and excited about.