Preparation
First, you have to find an audition. Major talent agencies are always auditioning, but many boy bands are auditioned all at once, in a group assemblage of testosterone 'n' talent. I auditioned for a group by the name of "O-Town," a joint project of ABC, MTV, and Trans Continental Records.

Then you have to prepare. Breaking into the boy band field isn't as easy as just putting on a pair of sparkly pants and shaving between your eyebrows; it takes hard work and dedication. Usually you will have to sing at the audition, and sometimes dance, so it is recommended that you practice both before the big day. Make sure not to overextend either your voice or your body; drink lots of lemon tea and stretch vigorously. For the singing, you will usually be given a list of acceptable songs. For my audition, they were "Silent Night," "The Star-Spangled Banner," and "Amazing Grace." If you demonstrate a modicum of singing talent, you may be asked to sing more, often a song by a current boy band. As for dancing, it's best to have a short routine worked out, no more than two minutes in length. It's doubtful they will ask you to perform any specific moves; more likely they'll ask you to "freestyle" for a bit. Avoid any blatantly sexual gyrations of the hips. Don't hump the floor. Keep your shirt on. Thor
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As I only had one day to prepare for my audition, my manager and I had to cut a few corners. Most of the singing practice would have to be done by me in the shower, as we needed to concentrate on what I felt to be my greatest asset: sheer, raw dance talent. Armed with the complete New Kids On The Block discography, we spent a nerve-wracking evening in the studio getting my moves polished up to my high-stepping best. Tough love and harsh discipline combined to make me a dancing dynamo, and I retired to bed that night confident of my footwork.

Unfortunately, I focused too much on dancing that night and not enough on the other aspects of being a successful teen idol: singing, posture, and skin care. To succeed in an audition, you need to have the complete package--all the practice in the world won't make up for missing any one of these elements.

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