In less than 48 hours, we will be American Idol bound. So much preparation has gone into this moment. Nikki has dedicated her voice lessons for the last two weeks to perfecting her audition song. She met with a “stylist” to prepare her “look”.

The audition outfit is an adorable high waisted black lace skirt with a fun top.  Other outfits include cute sundresses and a sassy black and white dress with matching flats/sandals.

The stylist suggested “less is more” to overcome the Jersey Girl persona and the “Snooki-itis”. That apparently seems to be a condition that some Jersey Girls have with symptoms of big hair and thick black eye liner. This isn’t how Nikki would normally dress, so she was happy to hear this. She wants to be remembered for her voice, not a wild outfit.

Our goal is to leave at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, so we will arrive in Pittsburgh approximately at 1 p.m. We seem to have been faced with our first challenge, when we found out that the hotel we were going to stay in had BED BUGS. They assured us that the exterminator comes through once a month and there should not be a problem. Needless to say, I canceled that reservation. 

We found a new hotel about 15 miles from Heinz Stadium (where auditions are being held) that came highly recommended by a friend. Keeping your sense of humor is going to be so important on this adventure. We laughed and sang, “sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

A roller-coaster of emotions comes along with this adventure. Nikki is so excited and I know she’s thinking “what if”? As always, we’ll celebrate the audition. Being able to stand up and sing in front of producers, executive producers and then the judges is not an easy task. To be able to fight off the fear that starts at your toes and builds until it reaches your brain is going to be a challenge. 

Nikki lives for this excitement and enjoys the world of an artist. From the time when she was 7-years-old and out on her first audition, she was so thrilled to be part of a production. We’d always go out for ice cream after to celebrate her successful audition. 

If she got the part in the play, then that was the “cherry on top of her sundae.” Her voice has matured from an adorable little girl’s voice to this belting Broadway sound. Nikki is classically trained and has a beautiful “butterfly-like” descant that sores into the highest notes. I worry when she practices that my crystal will shatter like in the movies!

Challenge No. 2…which way is Pittsburgh? I am venturing to unknown land, literally. Without my GPS, I would be completely lost. Not fond of driving to begin with, this eight-hour drive is going to be an interesting one.

Let’s just say my four-year-old car has 20,000 original miles on it. My normal driving is to ShopRite and West Essex Regional High School and home. I don’t think I could find my way out of New Jersey!

The repeating dream of me blowing a tire out on a bridge has haunted me all week. I found comfort in my husband telling me there are no bridges between here and Pittsburgh. Was it the truth? I don’t know, but it made me feel better.

Listen carefully at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. You’ll hear Nikki chanting…”I am the next American Idol”!  I’ll be the one trying to figure out how to program the GPS.

Our next blog will be from Pittsburgh!