By Nisser Dias
Earl Fortes
From a small canvas
like Goa – a small state in India Earl Fortes for Orlim walked on to one of the
largest platforms in entertainment and talent industry – American Idol at a
mere age of 20 years.
Interacting with me from America, he said the journey from one side of the globe to
the other didn’t start with getting on a plane and flying to the USA but
started off as a seven year olds dream to be on that stage at some point of
time in life.
“Ever since I auditioned for the producers
virtually right until the day I auditioned on the big stage I had to pinch myself
every morning just to remind that it is not a reality show but a reality. And I’ve
been feeling it all the way.”
Earl travelled
for 2 days straight, 15 hours of layovers and 24 hours in the sky and it really
was an adventure amidst a global pandemic.”
He said that he had a couple stops on the way here in Delhi and Newark and used his time between layovers just soaking it in that, “I was just living my dream and I kept reminding myself, I’m on my way to audition for the American Idol.”
Talking about taking on the big stage he said
that the feeling cannot be explained with words. “It is exhilarating I’m glad I
am the one and I’m going to give it my all to do my family and everyone who’s
supporting me proud.”
When asked about his experience performing
before superstars in the music industry, he said that adrenaline kept pumping
even though I was in a boot recovering from a broken foot. “The thought of
singing for Lionel Richie and Katy Perry and Luke Bryan gives me goose-bumps even
now if I just think about it.”
Elaborating further he said that from the
second he was slotted up to go on stage he felt his nerves creeping up, “as I
approached the main stage I was freaking out, I had sweaty palms. I had a
conversation with the judges before I performed. I was extremely nervous as I
started strumming my guitar and that feeling didn’t seem to leave me until I
was back in my room.”
Earl disclosed that he started off with an
original song penned by him especially for the audition called “Any other way”,
“this song means a lot to me because it's about my life and how I’ve been on a
bumpy ride full of ups and downs and how I overcame the obstacles life laid
down in front of me. Singing my original to the judges was a satisfying moment
and experience.”
About meeting other hopefuls Earl said he came across talented musician from all over the world since he landed for the audition, “we socialized, jammed and learned so much about each one’s genre, everyone I met was just setting a vibe.”
When asked about the outcome of his performance, he simply teased, “for more of about American Idol, you guys are gonna have to tune in and watch next year.”
