Talent Overflows On ‘Idol’ Season 4

More than 100,000 aspiring pop stars came out in seven cities to audition for this season’s ‘American Idol’. According to show judge Paula Abdul, this year the caliber of the talent outstrips that of past years. “I think this fourth season is going to be the beginning of what this show really has the potential of being for popular music in America,” Abdul told The New York Daily News. “That’s thanks in large part to the unique, unbelievable talent of Fantasia Barrino. I think [she] really stirred up the uber-talent to come out and audition. These kids write music. They play instruments. You won’t see that, [because] that’s not part of the competition. But it’s like there aren’t enough slots on the show to accommodate the talent. And that was the biggest stunner.”