Like Father, Like Daughter

Chapter 2: The Audition

Janie's POV: The day has come, today's the audition. I put on my makeup, making sure what was left of the bruises were covered. I put on my red long sleeved shirt and jeans, my black glasses, and straightened my hair. I didn't look like a Bowie for sure, the only part of me that I got from my dad are my piercing light blue eyes. I look like your average 14 year old. Brown hair, glasses, you wouldn't think I'm the daughter of a rockstar. I've felt so much better this past week. I've gained some weight back, I'm not as depressed, and my cutting's been slowing. My anxiety's still here though. Hopefully I'll get over that soon. I went downstairs. "Ready?" My dad asked. "Yep. Let's go now before I change my mind!" I said. We all left and went to the audition. There was a huge line outside. "You go inside and find your seat. I'm going with Janie." Dad said to my mom. She kissed us both, wished me luck, and went inside. Dad and I waited until we got to the front. I gave my audition papers to the staff member and got my number. We went inside and sat down backstage with the other acts. Dancers, singers, magicians, my anxiety started acting up. My legs started shaking. "Calm down Janie, everything will be ok." My dad said as he wrapped his arm around me. A camera man came up to us. "Hello Mr. Bowie, it's an honor to have you here. We were hoping we could get a quick interview of your daughter and you for the show." He asked as he shook our hands. "I don't have a problem with it, Janie?" He said. "That's fine." I said. "Fantastic." The cameraman said. He gave us a rundown of what to say. I did what I was told and after a few minutes, it was over. A staff member called for the next number group. "Here we go." I said. My dad and I stood up and we walked to the stage. There were five acts before me. When they went and it was my turn, I was panicking. My dad calmed me down. "Hey! David Bowie! How you doing man?!" Nick Cannon said as he shook my dad's hand. "I'm fine but let's focus on my daughter for once." He said with a chuckle. I smiled. "Alright what's your name?" He asked. "Janie." I said as I shook his hand. "Janie, well I infer you're going to be singing." He said. I chuckled. "Obviously!" I said. I didn't realize the cameras were filming this. "Alright you ready?" Nick asked. "I guess." I said nervously. "Well head on out there." He said as he pointed to the stage. "Go get 'em hun." My dad said as I nervously walked out. The audience cheered. I waved and stood in front of the microphone. There sat Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel. Calm down Janie, you'll do fine. "Hello." Howard said. "Hi there." I replied. "What's your name?" He asked. "My name is Janie Bowie." I said. "Janie Bowie. Wait a minute–are you related to who I think you're related to?" He asked. I chuckled. "My father is David Bowie." I said. The audience cheered again. All the judges mouths dropped. "Your father is David Bowie?" Howard asked. "Uh-huh." I said. "Is he here?" Howie asked. "He's right over there." I said as I pointed to him. "Oh he's here?" Howard said. My dad poked his head out and waved to everyone. Heidi started freaking out. "You alright there Heidi?" Howard asked her. "Sorry I just had a fan girl moment." She said. The audience and I laughed. "So I infer you're going to be singing then?" Howard asked. "You are correct." I replied. "Well Janie Bowie, take it away." He said. "Thank you." I said. I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. The audience went silent. The music started. I've been training for this. My main concern was Steven Tyler's screeches in the song. I think I have them ok, but the real question is if I can pull it off in front of this audience. "Cruised into a bar on the shore." I started singing. The audience cheered. "Her picture graced a grime on his door
She a long lost love at first sight
Baby, mabye you're wrong
But you know it's all right - that's right"
The audience continued cheering. I closed my eyes for the whole thing so my anxiety levels wouldn't rise. When the screeches came, I tried harder than ever to get it right. The audience was still cheering loud. Yes. The song ended and everyone stood up and cheered, including the judges. I started crying a little. I turned around and wiped my tears. I heard Nick screaming from the side and I saw my dad wiping his eyes out of the corner of my eye. Everyone sat down and the cheering got quiet. I wiped away what was left of my tears and braced myself for the judges. "Janie Bowie, let me be the first to say that you have an amazing voice." Howard said. "Thank you." I replied. "It took guts to get up there, have you ever performed in front of an audience like this before?" He asked. "I've never performed in front of anyone." I said. There were some gasps in the audience, and all the judges looked shocked. "You're kidding me. This is your first time?" Howard said. I nodded. "Well you must have taking vocal training or something." He said. "Nope, self taught." I said. "And you would practice this in your room?" He asked.  I nodded again. "Wow, just—" he stopped. The audience cheered again. I wiped away more tears. "Janie, I absolutely love your voice." Heidi said. "Thank you." I replied. "I really can't say much else, you're fantastic!" She said. I smiled and the audience cheered. "Janie, you were outstanding. I know that you'll go far here." Mel B said. "Thank you." I said again. "Janie, what do your parents think of your voice?" Howie asked me. "They've never heard me sing either." I said. More gasps came from the audience. "Well let me tell you something Janie, you're not a good singer—you are great." He said. The audience cheered again. "Alright we're gonna vote now. Heidi?" Howard said. Here we go. I could see my dad out of the corner of my eye. He was so nervous. "Oh absolutely yes." Heidi said. "Thank you." I said. My tears were coming back. "Mel?" Howard asked. "Yes yes yes!" Mel said. "Thank you." I said again. "Howie?" Howard asked. "David, come out here for a second." Howie said. My dad came walking out. He wrapped his arms around me. "David, how proud are you of your daughter?" Howie asked. "Very proud." Dad said into the microphone. I saw him wipe a tear from his eye. "Janie, it's a yes from me." Howie said. I wiped away more tears. "Janie." Howard said. There was a moment of silence. My heart was beating fast. "You've got four yeses. You're going to Vegas." Howard said. The audience cheered. My dad and I hugged each other. We were both crying. "Thank you so much." I choked out before we walked off the stage. "Wow Janie, that was some voice." Nick said. "I didn't think I'd make it." I said as I wiped my tears away. "Well we'll see you in Vegas." Nick said. My dad and I walked back out into the lobby. My mom came running out and hugged me. All three of us were hugging each other. "I had no clue you could sing like that." My dad said. "Well I never told you because I was afraid you'd have high expectations." I said with a sniffle. "I don't care about that. All I care about is that you're happy." He said. We left and went back home. Time to prepare for the Vegas round...