MARY WISNIEWSKI
Assistant A&E Editor
Pepperdine may not have its own Simon Cowell, but the university certainly has enough critics.
Friday, the Entertainment Business Network, EBN, will be bringing in even more critics by hosting the third annual “Pepperdine Idol.”
“It’s a one night event where we have volunteers perform and compete,” EBN president Stefin Jackson said.
The free event begins at 6 p.m. in Elkins Auditorium and will last until approximately 8 p.m.
The competition is for cash prizes, as well as the coveted Pepperdine Idol title. The third place contestant wins $50, the second place wins $100 and the Pepperdine Idol winner receives $300.
To determine the performances for the competition, a panel of five judges, as well as the audience, will decide the winner. After each performance, votes will determine whether the singer can advance to the next round. The number of rounds will be based on the amount of participants, and the judges and audience will cast their ballots on the performer’s showmanship as well as the quality of each person’s voice.
Jackson said the judges’ votes will count for more than the audience. After all, these judges have all worked in the entertainment industry. To be a contestant before these seasoned judges, auditions were held for the past three weeks on campus. Aspiring singers sang two or three songs to determine their ability to compete.
Freshman Ashley Ross and member of EBN assisted with auditions for Pepperdine Idol.
So far, no one has been denied from entering the competition.
“The contestants we have seen have been really talented students,” Ross said.
Jackson said he would only make cuts if 20 or more people want to participate.
“We want to give everyone a fair shot,” Jackson said. “Unless we get an overwhelming amount of responses, we won’t restrict.”
No matter how many contestants, the past years have shown that Pepperdine Idol can be just as big of a hit in Malibu as American Idol is for America. In fact, Jackson said Elkins was filled with people watching and judging Pepperdine Idol last year.
“Hopefully, we’ll draw in just as many people,” he said.
Sophomore Jessie Reimer was one of last year’s participants and said it was a lot of fun. She will be performing again this year.
“I love any chance to perform,” Reimer said. “It’s another form of feedback.”
Reimer is not the only one coming back for more.
Sophomore Justin Reininga performed last year too and will be taking the stage again. He said he likes to hear what the judges thought about his performance and enjoys performing for his fellow classmates.
“It’s good to get criticism from people who know what they are talking about,” Reininga said.
Jackson said because EBN knew all year that the event would occur, they have been preparing for Idol by building contacts for judges.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun,” Jackson said. “People should all show up.”
Pepperdine Idol is not the only event EBN hosts. The club puts on other events such as fashion shows each semester. The main focus of the club is to bring people together who are interested in the field of entertainment business. Additionally, a goal of EBN is to build a network for its members. This would allow for members to have a greater access to internships and mentorships, Jackson said.
Pepperdine students Nash Chugani and Matt Strasburg formed EBN in October of 2004, and the club has only grown since.
According to the EBN, the purpose of the club is to “advance the careers of its members by supplying professional knowledge, contacts and actual experience.”
Additionally, the club does not limit itself to just business majors and welcomes all to join.
“We don’t discriminate across majors,” Jackson said.
Jackson said there are hundreds of people on the EBN e-mail list serve; however, the executive committee is made up of about five to seven people.
This team is responsible for making events like Pepperdine Idol happen and certainly is responsible for putting Cowell out of business at least for the night.
04-14-2006
