Kelly Management Idol

            I love American Idol. Some people think that it is just a silly talent competition or it is not a legitimate way of becoming famous, but if you ask me, it is one of the most entertaining and exciting reality shows we have. I would simply love to be a judge on that show because to be there live, front and center every week and have my input matter would be really cool. But since that will never happen, I seek joy participating in a slightly more low profile panel at the kids acting workshop, which can be just as entertaining.

It is so funny because Rob, Gordon and I truly fit into the roles of the American Idol judges when critiquing the kids. You have Robert who is clearly Randy because, while he is does not start his sentences with “yo yo yo,” or reference any dawg pounds, he is always pretty middle of the road and passes it quickly off to me and Gordon. Then there is me, the sweet Paula, because I just feel for the effort these kids are putting in and while I critique, I always emphasize the positive. I think I even said today -  joking of course -  that I wanted the older kids to make the monologue have wings – a Paula moment indeed. And then you have Gordon…dun dun dun… (ominous sound) he is without a doubt the Simon. You can just see the fear in the kids eyes when it gets to Gordon’s turn to speak. They just look so scared, and Gordon certainly tells it how it is, but I think the kids really respect him for that. And to be honest, he is always right. But what I love most about Kelly Management Idol is that one night a week I get to critique these kids, laugh with my boys, and be on the inside of all the jokes and secret notes we write to each other. It makes me feel like I have valuable things to say and that the kids look up to me, and all of that is very fun! When the kids forget their lines, won’t shut up, or are just plain mumbling and not taking direction – that part is not so fun. But neither was listening to Nikki McKibbon (1^st season American Idol….anyone remember that awful rocker chick?) attempt to sing after the amazing Kelly Clarkson, but I still tuned in!

Before the workshop, my day at the office began with sorting through the daily emails and finishing making the photo labels for the adult clients. We stick these labels on the back of client’s headshots and CV’s so that they are easily identified by casting directors when they go out for castings. It is a tedious job, but it did not take me too long to complete.

            We had three meetings today. The first was with a client we saw in an Arts Education Production of the Drowsy Chaperone on Thursday night. He is extremely talented but he is clearly in love with Robert, which made for a very tense meeting – tense meaning sexually tense J . Even when Gordon and I were talking to him, he would not take his eyes off Robert, who could care less about him. It was so hilarious. He is actually an extremely impressive actor and played his role so well, but in front of Rob he just went all gaga….so funny to witness. After Rob got a series of text messages from him, basically asking him out…. How unprofessional – you just interviewed with the guy for representation man, lock it up! Anyways, it made for comic relief throughout the whole day every time he would get another text.

The second meeting was with our current client Leanne who is playing Tracy in Hairspray. She had some contracts to sign and we had a big discussion on the future of her career. I just love her! She is 23 and she is so sweet! She gave me a big hug hello, and she is like the Idina of London. Her contract for Hairspray is up in April, and she is really excited to go out and do something new since she has been doing the same show eight times a week for over a year. I love picking her brain about the behind the scenes elements of the cast and the production, and so it was a fun break to have her in the office.

            The third meeting was with another perspective client who we saw in the show Grease last week. She came on very strong and Robert and Gordon were not sure that she was different enough to take on. As I mentioned before, having a versatile client list is crucial, and she was too much like the actresses we already have. Therefore, she would be up against a lot of our current female clients in auditions, and so it would not be in her best interest or the companies to sign her.

In between meetings, I went on a wild goose chase throughout London to run a bunch of errands for the guys. BUT, it was such a beautiful day – FINALLY! Blue skies, all day, the sun shining, not to hot, not too cold. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! And I am glad I got to get out of the office for a bit to enjoy it.

After work we went to the workshop. The younger kids all gave me a big hug hello since I was absent last week to attend a safety meeting, which was really sweet. The younger kid’s class was actually really boring, but I love the older class (age 13 – 18) – which is when Kelly Management Idol really begins. We did improv, which is always hilarious, and then they did their monologues for us, and we all get to say a bit and critique which is fun. I am really going to miss the class, and of course Rob and Gordon. It is so hard that I am going to have to leave two best friends behind with no idea as to when I am ever going to see them again. But I try not to think about that. Like the emotional Paula, it will just make me weep J. Tomorrow I am going back in the office before and after history since next week I am missing next Wednesday to spend the day with Ike and Brezny. One week from today they will be here – how crazy is that?! It will be so great to see them and spend Thanksgiving with them – it will be like having a piece of home with me. And in a couple of weeks I will actually be home…. Now that is even more crazy.

 

Love and hugs,

Jenny