American Idol Auditions: What It's Like In The Crowd

Every year, thousands of pop star wannabes take the day off from work, camp out for hours, and endure sizzling summer heat with one common dream -- the dream of becoming the next American Idol. As they wait for their turn to face the judges, they become one big family united by their fantasies of record deals, magazine shoots, and pimped-out tour buses.

So, what's it like to be behind the scenes and in the crowd during those American Idol auditions? This photo gallery gives us an idea.