<🎧 Song Recommendation: You're Gonna Go Far by Noah Kahan (inspiration)>
Just as Michael had promised, the production staff immediately began attending to the contestants, distributing waivers and running through the strict protocols for the televised round.
The staff informed them about camera etiquette; where to stand, where to look, and most importantly, who would be judging them.
The names dropped like bombs in the quiet room.
First was Aria Diana, the eleven-time Grammy-winning Pop Queen known for her vocal range. Then came Jax Ryder, the legendary lead singer of the 90s rock band Crimson Haze.
And finally, Rex Sterling. The one and only CEO of Cloudary Records.
A ripple of nervous energy shot through the room. It was clear that Project Star wasn't holding back for their comeback season. The fact that the CEO himself was sitting on the panel meant the stakes weren't just high, they were astronomical!
Time passed, and eventually, the Judges arrived. The auditions commenced.
The double doors swallowed contestants one by one. Number 1 went in. Minutes later, Number 2 followed.
The room grew steadily emptier, the silence deepening with each departure. Since there was a separate exit for finished contestants, nobody returned to share their fate. It was a black box. You walked in, and you either vanished or ascended.
"Number 28," a staff member finally called out, checking his clipboard. "Von Varley."
Von took a deep breath, grabbed the neck of his guitar case, and stood up. He walked toward the double doors, leaving the dwindling group of hopefuls behind.
***
The audition room was cavernous, the ceiling lost in shadows. The only illumination came from a battery of harsh stage lights focused on a single piece of tape in the center of the floor.
Von walked toward the light, his footsteps echoing on the polished wood.
As his eyes adjusted to the glare, the three figures behind the long desk came into focus.
To the right sat Aria Diana. She was radiant, even more gorgeous in person, wearing a sleek white blazer.
To the left was Jax Ryder, leaning back with the effortless cool of a rockstar, his dark skin covered in different tattoos. They were both beaming with contagious, professional smiles.
But the man in the center was different. Dressed in a sharp midnight-blue suit, he had a jawline that could cut glass and eyes that looked bored with the world.
"You!"
Rex Sterling practically jumped in his seat, his finger stabbing the air in Von's direction. His mask of icy indifference shattered instantly, shocking the other two judges.
'What are the chances?' Von thought with a wry smile as he locked eyes with the devil himself.
Who would have guessed that the rich guy who paid him a hundred bucks to stop singing on the street was the CEO of a massive record label, and was now one of the three people deciding his future?
Aria blinked, turning to her colleague. "What's up, Rex? It seems like you have some history with our contestant. Mind telling us?"
Rex slowly sank back into his chair, smoothing his tie. He regained his composure and his eyes narrowed into slits.
"I don't know how he made it past the producers," Rex scoffed with disdain. "But the kid is a terrible singer. I'm even being kind by using the word singer."
"Eeish," Jax winced, trying to hold back a laugh. "That's a harsh one... But I guess we still have to find out."
Jax turned his dark sunglasses toward the stage. "Number 28... introducee~ yourself," he sang in a deep, melodic bass voice.
Von cleared his throat, leaning into the microphone stand.
"Uh... My name is Von. Von Varley. I'm an eighteen-year-old Psychology student at the University of Miami."
He knew they had all this data in front of them, but the camera crew needed the content.
"Interesting," Aria said with a bright smile, leaning her chin on her hand. "So I guess you have some psychology tricks up there?" She added a playful wink. "Planning to analyze us?"
Von let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I swear. I wish I did."
Jax laughed. "You wish, huh? So you could control us all to give you the golden ticket?"
"Maybe..." Von replied with a shrug.
"Alright, Von," Jax grinned. "I like the honesty. But we'd like to know more about you. What made you choose Project Star?"
This was the moment. The "Sob Story" segment. The producers loved this part. They wanted to hear about dead pets, sick relatives, or life on the streets.
But Von wasn't interested in playing the victim.
"Honestly?" Von said, adjusting his guitar strap. "I've always wanted to be on this show since I watched the first season. I was sitting in a cafe with my sister when I saw the audition announcement. She told me I was a great singer and that I should go for it."
He looked up, his violet eyes shining with simple ambition.
"I figured this might be my one shot at becoming a star. So... here I am."
Rex, who had been silent, raised an eyebrow. "So you're here because your sister told you that you can sing?"
Von smiled proudly. "Precisely."
Rex let out a short, dismissive breath, but Aria interrupted before he could cut Von down.
"Alright, Von," Aria said kindly. "This is your moment. Let's see what you got."
Von nodded. He checked his tuning one last time.
"So, I'm gonna be singing a song I wrote. It's called, You're Gonna Come Home."
"Ooh," the Judges exchanged a look.
Originals were a massive gamble. Almost all the contestants preferred to play it safe with an already perfect song. And it was the smartest choice. Hearing an original in the audition room was rare; they hadn't seen one all day.
"Okay, Von," Aria nodded, looking intrigued. "Impress us!"
Von took a deep breath.
'One, two, three...'
He positioned his hand and began to pluck a soft, melancholic melody.
🎸 ♪
The only time I sat and waited for the sunrise
Was when I saw the fear of leaving in your brown eyes
"This is just a separation, babe, it's all fine"
Makin' quiet calculations on the long drive
This is good land, or at least it was
It takes a strong man and a sound mind
🎸 ♪
Von's upgraded vocals hit the notes beautifully. It wasn't anything exceptional, but it was stable. And it was pleasant to listen to.
🎸 ♪
The city lights are gettin' so bright, ain't they?
They're hidin' all the stars and the gray paint
And I even gave up sleepin' after nightfall
I got tired of the shadows on the white wall
This is good land, or at least it was
It takes a strong man and a sound mind
🎸 ♪
Von closed his eyes, immersing himself in the lyrics. He had activated [Emote] to project a profound sense of longing and loss into the room.
In his peripheral vision, he could see a soft white glow around the judges; [Resonance] was working. They were entranced.
🎸 ♪
It makes me sad to know when things get bad
Ooh, you'll be gone
Ooh, you'll be gone from here
And while I fix the fence in the yard
Ooh, you'll be gone
Ooh, you'll be gone, gone from here
🎸 ♪
He hit the body of the guitar with his palm, turning it into a drum as he increased the intensity of his strumming. The song swelled from a ballad into an anthem.
🎸 ♪
So, turn 'round your car, put a hand on your heart
Remember how we've felt, remember who you are
We ain't angry at you, love
You're the greatest thing we've lost
🎸 ♪
🎸 ♪
The bells will still ring, the folks will still fight
The stairs will still creak, the days will turn night
We ain't angry at you, love
I'll be waitin' for you, love
🎸 ♪
And I will wait for you forever
We'll all wait for you forever
🎸 ♪
🎸 ♪
You're gonna come home
You're gonna come home
If you wanna come home...
Then you gotta come home...
🎸 ♪
Von let the final chord ring out until it faded into total silence.
For a moment, room was silent. Then, Aria let out a breath.
"Wow," she whispered. She looked at Von with wide eyes. "Did you really write that song?"
Von nodded, breathless. "Yes, ma'am."
"It's so good," Aria said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can literally feel the emotions radiating off you. You did a very great job... Although your vocals could need some work. You were straining a bit on the bridge, and your breath control needs tightening. But the storytelling? That was magic."
She smiled. "I'm giving you a YES!"
"Thank you!"
Jax Ryder slammed his hand on the table. "Aria said it all. Kid, your song was superb. It's got that grit I've been looking for. Great work, kid! It's a YES from me."
Two Yeses.
Von felt his knees go weak. But he still needed three to be safe.
He turned his eyes to the last judge.
Rex had a serious look as he eyed Von with an unreadable expression.
"Were you trolling me that day we met?" Rex asked flatly. "Surely this can't be the same guy."
Von only laughed, choosing to say nothing.
Rex drummed his fingers on the table. The silence stretched out.
Finally, Rex sighed.
"I'll give you a YES," Rex admitted. "But don't be too comfortable. If you want to stand a chance of getting far, you'd need far more than this."
Von didn't hear anything. He only heard the "Yes." He had made it!
"Congratulations!" Aria beamed, holding up a shimmering rectangular golden card. "See you in Hollywood!"
"Thank you," Von said again.
He walked to the table, accepted the Golden Ticket with a light bow, and turned toward the backstage exit.