'Idol Across America:' Virtual auditions for American Idol Season 24 are underway

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Right now, American Idol is searching for its next round of stars.

Virtual auditions kick off in our area this week as "Idol Across America" scans the country in search of the next American Idol.

Here is everything you need to know if you want to vie for the title on Season 24.

"This is literally step one," says Patrick Lynn, a Senior Supervising Producer for American Idol. "This is where everybody starts. You start on our Zoom and you'll see an actual producer from the show. If they like you, they'll send you on to the Executive Producer, and if she likes you, she's the one that decides who goes in front of Luke, Lionel and Carrie."

Lynn has been with American Idol since day one.

"I think I'm the only person that's been in the room when every single person has won," he says.

Lynn says the virtual auditions allow contestants to be comfortable and sing from their own homes. The goal is to encourage every singer to be loose and unapologetically authentic.

"I have three things that I tell people - pick a good song, sing a good song and perform a good song. What happens with a lot of people, and this is something I also stress, is they come in and they get a little bit too reserved, so they hold back. My thing is, do not hold back. Let it all hang out. Just kind of go for it. You never know!" he says.

He says don't let your fear get in the way of your dreams.

"I get a lot of people who say, 'I'm nervous about this, I'm not sure,'" Lynn says. "What I usually tell people is, 'Okay, if you're nervous, guess what? You're gonna do it nervous, but do it anyways. You live, once in this life. Go for it!'"

Virtual auditions for New Jersey and Pennsylvania are this Thursday, September 4th and September 19th for Delaware.

If you miss those, there's are also east coast and nationwide auditions later this month.

For more information on the auditions, CLICK HERE for details.