March 6, 2008

Every week, millions all across American tune in to FOX to hear their favorite contestant on American Idol. This year, many in our area have lended their support to local teen Colton Berry, but it wasn't enough.

For someone, who tried out for American Idol on a whim, it didn't turn out half bad. Colton Berry is back home in the Shenandoah Valley after a disappointing loss, but he still has his eye on the stage.

“I auditioned because I thought it might be fun, but not like ‘oh I want to be the American Idol’,” Berry said.

From the try-out to the gold ticket and beyond Colton Berry spills it all.

Just one week on America’s favorite television show changed this small town teen forever.

Growing up watching idol and performing in community theater couldn't have prepared him for the ride of his life.

“It was kind of ridiculous coming back here after getting my golden ticket because I couldn't tell anyone until they saw it,” said Berry.

After keeping hush for months in Staunton Berry burst on to the idol stage for millions to hear, see and vote.

“My cell phone blew-up when people found out I was on the show I got like 400 text messages within a 5 minute span,” he said, “It still to this day has not hit me that I was on the show or that I auditioned for the show.”

Although Berry may have been a bit in the clouds, he witnessed first hand what we see from the couch. Behind all the great performances, fun outfits and latest hair styles are early mornings, long practices and few breaks.

“On days of the show it's like mad house in like lock down, like in the building, you can't go anywhere,” he said.

But after a long days work, it all comes down to revues from Randy, Paula and Simon and despite the harsh words, Berry says Simon is just doing his job.

“I love Simon, he's a great guy and I think all of the negative comments that he says and has said to me they start at a good place. He starts deep down with something really constructive and then realizes he's Simon Cowell and gets paid to be mean as he possibly can and says it in the most negative way possible,” Berry explained.

Berry hasn't let Simon’s ruthlessness get to him. He says life on the idol stage may have ended, but he hopes to perform on Broadway soon.