Preparing for iPop was a rigorous training triathlon! Hearing yourself repeat the same line over and over again, proclaiming the same commercial constantly to the point strangers will pay you more than a gig to Stop! But it was all worth it. The day I went 1,000,000% was set on July 13th – the week leading up to my Showcase in Los Angeles, California. I couldn’t let my car’s budget down, or myself, because it was all invested into this destiny driven experience. But Fate wasn’t gonna cut it, the only acceptable language there was Skill. Excitement was sweet but even that won’t cut having to wake up at 4:30 a.m! 

Tuesday, July 9th: Taking Flight to LA & Showcase Auditions

Suitcases packed because we were going on an Adventure! Tried to look as fresh as possible for the camera to update Society with the game plan. Then the Team said our farewells to the ‘Wild Beasts of our Household’, we shot out straight to Chicago Airport to catch the mother-bird to Los Angeles. Flowing above the clouds led my mind poking around the chambers of the universe’s deepest questions –  “How many people wanted to fly growing up?” and “Is that Disneyland’s Castle floating on the horizon!?” A Sleep, Tantrum, and Drive away we were in the lobby of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. First things first, we had to meet up with my director and guide before we could jump into any auditions, Julian Georgeo was a cold pressed dictator that knew exactly what he wanted; such as requiring us to download an ‘information app’ that should have stayed back in 2006 called Grupio. In his career he charts at a 98% callback rate with clients, but I’m here to win over that remaining 2%! Thankfully the ‘news’ was about him having a seat among the scouts during the 4 auditions: Singing, Acting, Modeling, and Dancing. He showed us the layout of the infamous Millennium Biltmore Hotel (home of celebrity productions) which was distributed in 6 different rooms held for alternative auditions, from entrance to exit you had: The Emerald Room, The Gold Room, Crystal Ballroom, The Tiffany Room, The Biltmore Room, and last but heaven knows not least The Regency Room. Soon to be accompanied with skilled artists in the acting industry qualified to blow your emotional socks off! 

Enough was enough, I threw myself into all the auditions I could tryout for. Never have I ever been shut down so fast during my singing audition…I dropped some mad bars – it wasn’t bad I swear, they were just fixed on the vocal artist, which I’m not apart of – Moving on! Dancing was directly behind the vocal artist line in the Emerald room, so all I had to do was shimmy to the back of the line until it was my turn. A Pop, Spin, and a Backflip later I dance to the exact song on my website because it was uncommon,, as well as having no chance of duplications against the competitors. Next was the acting audition in the Gold Room, I was so confident with my lines and delivery – I slipped up on the interview part, such as my name and mission statement. Should have walked outside and straightened my act together, but nonetheless it was Approved with flying colors. On my way to the finals in the Tiffany Room I knew I had to hit the upcoming judges with something new, seems it was the judges that threw me a curve ball. “Young man, Stand up in front of this audience and try Counting down for the show!”. Little to know prep I was in between two other competitors, Joey & Reese, for a part in Hairspray and… I was not picked for the part because it was the same judge that knew I hadn’t any vocal experience for the production. “Sorry, your great but you’re just not what we are looking for -” “I understand” I said as I took my bow. “Wait! How would you like to be ‘Good Morning Balitmore’s Flasher!”. “Yes of course!…Who is that?” My recruiter leans in and whispers: “You’ll be on stage flashing your goods to the agents, If you take it you’ll be apart of the Showcase.” She said with temptation. I took it! But it felt like I missed something while I was still being casted. The Modeling Audition was about to wrap up!?! I urgently thanked her for the opportunity, clutched my entry number and sprinted all the way down to the Biltmore Room. Unfortunately the runway was vacant, at the end of the path were two judges, one with red hair and one hot headed. They told me to: “Walk the runway, we’ll see if you know the correct procedures.” As I did until I was dismissed. We graciously achieved all the auditions the first day fresh out of our flight. So the rest of us were left to decompress from today’s fulfilling adventure – it was just the beginning, but frankly we were tired of anything ‘air’ related. 

Wednesday, July 10th: Rigorous Bootcamps & iPop’s Chosen 

Ready for the morning with my custom “BlueJay Folder” in hand, I network while I wait for my audition callbacks, which was soon to be disclosed at 1:00 p.m. I’ve met tons of great kids on my downtime, just by bumping into them and striking a conversation! ‘Twas the perfect time to pass out my crisp new business cards that included my social handles – Follow Me @truubluejay. 1:00 p.m. struck, and I rush to my phone to view the lucky ones casted to the Showcase in this agency free-for-all! “Hair Spray: #8700 | Boys – Conga Dance: #8700” I’m in Both Showcases for Alexis Monsanto and Hair Spray! As I make my way through the sea of crying kids that didn’t make it, I head to my scheduled workshop keeping in mind my lengthy rehearsal I had afterwards.

The Biltmore Room held my modeling class for Division 1, hosted by the extravagant Alexis Monsanto, who was here to correct our posture and discipline us into modeling bootcamp. We were taught the recommended diets, posture, and plain and simple hygiene (some people should consider the last one at all times!). It was my turn to make my mark on the runway with a ‘modeling stance’, I walked with confidence to the end of the runway but too much personality when I hit my three poses at the end, best to push to the front of my mind that I’m advertising the clothes, unfortunately, not myself. Our class was constantly stopped and corrected, for example, try simultaneously placing your heel, butt, and head on a wall like a statue to align your posture.

Thanks to all the activities overlapping during the event, I wanted to make an Acting bootcamp class before the clock struck 6:00 and rehearsals would start. I made my way treading down the stairs to the Regency Room from the Biltmore Room. Awkwardly, the class had already begun, but the staff was welcoming and friendly, and decided to split up the professionals into groups so I could learn the topic from the top! Soon to be my favorite mentor was a woman named Andrea Taylor. Her class consisted of games that were taught in movement, she dug deep into our craft and could determine what emotions in your body sparked the corresponding trait on the card. These cards had traits that you’d have to perform in front of the class, and see if anyone could solve your ‘feeling card’.

I noticed from the side-chatter that the kids didn’t understand the power she was tapping into – the power of emotion. She was able to channel the residing energy from her anxiousness, nervousness, etc to apply it to her performance, she said, “If you feel nervous being up here in front of the class, you don’t need to find that anxiety in your body – you can already feel it. Now use said energy and a memory that triggers your emotion to add to your act! Emotions are distinct and can be overwhelming, but your awareness to them can strengthen your influence over them.” We wrapped up the class prematurely (because I was late) and I thanked her for her mindful approach on acting, this was the bootcamp that resonated the most with me. Big thank you to New York City Dramatic Arts Finest.

I took lunch then slipped into some fresh clothes to arrive on time to Hairspray, but I ran into a problem along the way. How was I going to make both Rehearsals! I was out of chakra for any shadow clones and decided to compromise today’s modeling rehearsal – so I wouldn’t be clueless in the musical. Good Morning Baltimore needed their handy dandy Flasher! Until I killed the lights at the end of the night and went to sleep. 

Thursday, July 11th: Last Man Standing & First Man Leaving

Today I awoke with inspiration after the acting bootcamp from yesterday, my first Sitcom competition was ahead of me at 9 a.m. and the rest of the day would be spent in The Biltmore Room, so it was best to brush up on my craft before I got in front of the lenses. Instead of being the last one down in the Regency Room, I was the first one to arrive, ready for wonders that dwelled in mindfulness mixed with acting. But among the three NYCDA mentors, you had to follow a “different style teaching” from yesterday’s session, which brought me to my next teacher Serena Tarica. Her approach to my Tammy Metzler monologue was to deliver it as if I don’t know what I am going to say next. Meaning in this case I’d have to use my favorite tool – Improv! With my mom in the second from the first row there for support, I gave my best shot to the crowd with frustration to strike the reverse psychology in my piece. I put myself into the situation of Tammy, and narrowed in on how I would approach careless teenagers to vote for me to become President of Carver. Pacing back and forth I molded the script with suppressed emotions that may have been there before my graduation, all the drama and politics that happened within the hierarchy of High School. As I digressed: 

“WHO CARES about this stupid election – we all know we don’t care about ourselves enough to give a care about temporary bragging rights over this broken school system! Who’s going to run this school the right way? Because none of you have been low enough to understand what it feels like to be invisible. Do you really think it’s going to change anything around here – from being lost in the crowd? Or could it make some of you even smile from time to time? The only person this title means too… IS THE ONE WHO GETS ELECTED! The same pathetic charade happens every year and everyone makes the same weightless pledge, just so they can put it on their transcripts and get into college. So Vote For ME… Because my destiny isn’t taking me to college, and I don’t care! But if you picked me as president, see this student government behind me? Gone! I will immediately dismantle them so none of us have to sit through any of these boring assemblies again. Or don’t vote for me, who cares, DON’T VOTE AT ALL!”

The class clapped to the very end of my time before I had to hit the next competition to perform the “Nick Sitcom”; which was along the dramatic genre. As you can see here is my attempt directly from iPop. My daily rehearsals between Alexis Monsanto’s Modeling Showcase and Hairspray’s Showcase were due for my decision. I figured now that I missed a Modeling rehearsal I’d attend todays one, plus I knew where to hit my marks in Hairspray, how hard could it be to reveal yourself?

As I made my way down the stairs to the Regency room with a grin on my face, I was approached by a frantic staff member that shrieked “Are you the kid that was missing from the Boys Conga yesterday?” she said.

“Yeah, it may have been me, I had to catch my other rehearsal that happened at the same time.” I gulped.

“Oooh Alexis is not happy with you…”

That turned my grin upside down, now I gotta highly reputable fashion designer looking for my head! Then immediately I was snatched by the arm, only to see Alexis Monstanto on the other side guiding me to my position without a word.

“You’ll dance to the Salsa with Jesus – Go NOW!”

So that is how I met my Dance/Modeling Instructor D’Jesus Trujillo, I remember him from my arrival at the auditions with the red hair. He was generous compared to some others, Jesus introduced me to the crew, this crew of thirteen Salsa Shaking Competitors. Unfortunately, he had to handle another dance group, so it was up to the team to carry out the routine and make sure it was hammered into our heads – thanks to the crew’s perseverance they jack-hammered the routine deep in my brain under short notice prior to missing a full day of rehearsal. Until chaos brewed in the basement. From kids running in late, not enough instructors to cover the groups, everyone’s song programmed on only one boombox, to Alexis blowing his fuse if he caught you out of line. To be honest, I was fed up with it, nowhere did I sign up for Gordan Ramsay’s Fashion bootcamp. So, I inched my way up the stairs very slowly, onto The Biltmore room where Hairspray practiced – each rejuvenating step upward felt as if I morphed into a new atmosphere.

Mission Successful!

The faces were smiling again, the cast was twisting and turning on the Runway to “The Nicest Kids in Town”. I hopped up on stage with the rest and reclaimed lost joy while I started to twist and turn, up until my heart sunk by the sight of someone by the door with their arms crossed because now the Conga attendance was unexpectedly uneven. None other than the infamous Alexis Monsantos, he wanted a pre screening of Hairspray’s performance before his showcase.

If looks could kill – Alexis would’ve had me on a fashion designed silver platter.

The show must go on! I continued like I didn’t notice us exchanging stares, then he got closer and went behind the stage. I kid you not, I thought this man was waiting for me. To make things worse, our Hairspray instructor said “Great Job, everyone! Now head backstage and we’ll take it from the top.” Taking it to the top was where I wanted to be, but I felt once I vanished backstage Alexis would take me back to the bottom of the basement!

We all cram ourselves behind the curtain at the same time, as for me I’m trying to get lost in the crowd, but that didn’t stop Alexis’s artistic eye from sniffing me out from the group. There he stood present with a sour glare, once again without a word, silence never felt so loud. Thankfully, after he located his rouge dancer, he returned to and out the entrance with Jesus. But after Alexis took his leave, I pondered over what may have just been a lost opportunity, I was upset with myself for escaping prematurely.

I only fled to relieve myself of the pressure and restore my mood, but did I forget why I was here? I’m not going through all this for me, I’m doing it to attain influence for guiding the next generation to restoration, and here I was the one ditching. I needed to remind myself of perseverance which the Conga group had more of in unison, I needed to remind myself where I came from. As my head hung low, my ears perked up from overhearing the cast mentioning the ghosts residing in the building on the eleventh floor… Long story short the presence of entities was the real ghost story. 

Friday, July 12th: Breakdance Competition & Monologue Fail-Win

“Woke up today, feeling the way I always do” – Tired! I slept through this morning’s announcements because I knew today would only be part 2 of competitions, figured I could achieve a well-rested bonus before I rock out my performances. My first competition of the day was for dance at 1 p.m. so I had a ton of time to toss and turn in bed before I had to toss and turn on stage! Today was also the last day of bootcamps for anyone still wanting to cram in any questions for the mentors. I already felt I had my act together. I laid out my two shirts of power on my hotel bed, one yellow that symbolized the “Yellow Finch” which held abundance woven in its fibers, and one red that symbolizes the “Cardinal” which embodied passion and a direct source to the divine…But that’s another story folks! I slipped into my yellow shirt and packed my official iPop bag with my daily goodies – expecting that I’d have to compete against some of the best dancers around the world, my adrenaline was brewing just to see who I was up against. I made it down to the Biltmore room where I contended my modeling competition the other day, and there the agents were, but no male competitors? That’s right, I was the only one in sight, so I gave them the show they were waiting for!

My competitions up into this point were handled with flawless care, until I met my match in the Gold Room – Myself! The final competition for iPop was one act ahead of me, my Tammy Metzler monologue that the NYCDA mentors refined, I reached in my bag and slipped on my red shirt before I got up on stage in front of a booth of around nine agents, tell me why a couple left when I arrived? (Pretty sure it wasn’t personal.) I grab the mic and take my centering “actors moment” with a deep inhale; as well as the “moment before” which we were taught in class. So far so good till I miss a line they didn’t catch but I did. “The only person this does matter to is the one who gets elected!” I carry on with this slight irritation in the back of my mind. Then once I concluded I hit them with a mic drop and walked off the spotlight. The staff around jumped thinking it was an accident, but the obvious smirk on my face said otherwise. 

It was over when the skinny kid dropped the microphone and then I was finished with all my competitions for the trip, last thing left to perform in was my Showcase. Because there was a fat chance of me rejoining Alexis Monsanto’s Conga group anymore, I could solely rehearse with Hairspray in the Biltmore Room. While making my way to said room I reach for the door only to stumble into an ambush, by none other than the crew of thirteen Salsa Shaking Competitors missing their fourteenth member – Me! They all grab me at sight and pull me through the doors of the Biltmore room, safe to say there’s been a change of plans in rehearsal rooms, no thanks to Grupio; coming in 13 years late with it’s informative notifications! With no hard feelings attached, the group slapped me on the wrist and repaired me with my partner. Their incredible teamwork once again brought me up to speed; with the two step salsa dance we would have to do to get approval from Alexis. Luckily, I was able to gain the respect back of the crew with my dancing background and quick learning, enabling me to replicate the moves in the number in mere minutes. While we were practicing together, the other dance groups performed for their approval, including The Cowboys, The Formal Females, The Fashion Models, and us, The Conga! Our time was up for our performance, and after a refreshing talk with one of the kids in my group I was re-inspired to carry on, if Alexis still let me that is. 

♫Come on, Shake your body baby, do the Conga! I know you can’t control yourself any longer!♪

The music played and the lights faded during the introduction with my partner and I back to back on the runway. So far so good, I wasn’t being yelled to leave the stage at first sight. Nice dramatic entrance to signal Alexis Monsanto in the front that I didn’t give up and become your friendly neighborhood Flasher – yet. We watched our conga leader’s cue when to transition into our synchronized salsa dancing. Before we walked the runway my partner and I held a pose toe to toe, as the rest of the group followed us into two single columned lines directed back behind the curtain. Everyone cheered from the successful makeshift choreography, everyone completed their routine and Alexis decided to approve all of them without any major adjustments. The music was cranked up for our celebration finale and we all danced like the ending of an early 2000’s Disney movie. We congratulated each other and the other groups for persevering under heavy scrutiny, but I can’t say it wasn’t for a good reason, modeling is more than just walking with a pretty face – at first all I knew how to do was Walk! I knew Hairspray was finishing up, so I put two and two together and located their rehearsal room in the Regency Room. Unfortunately, the cast was wrapping up and I had to collectively figure out any added bonuses to Hairsprays groove before the Big showcase tomorrow. I went to bed that night not knowing what happened, and realized everything must happen for a reason, and you can’t hide from Alexis, he’ll find you… 

Saturday, July 13th: Showcase Callbacks & Magical Awards

Today was the day of my Showcases, the day I’ve been anticipated to dig down deep and reach my full 1,000,000%! Everyone in the showcase was notified to visit the Regency Room before any of the other competitors, so that the rest of the performers can meet & greet their callbacks prior to performing in the show due to our limited time. Your boy rallied up 11 callbacks, and thanks to the grey wristband around my wrist screaming V.I.P – meaning I got to advance to the front of any line of the agent, agency, or manager that wanted to enlist me. To all the kids that didn’t have a band, you got a nice salty look along the way of skipping all the parents in the midst of their child’s career taking off, I walked ahead of the lines like a fortified sore thumb who was able to take these mugs with a crooked smile, thanks to the conditioning from Alexis, that was a joke.

As we mingle in the room while examining and comparing ‘Callback Sheets’ with other competitors and the cast from Hairspray. An announcement bellowed for the “Registered attendees of any showcase to report to their rehearsal room.” Fortunately, both rehearsals were occupied in the same room, but were spread apart from each other like a Musical Gang that had dance beef to settle.

On the West Side was Alexis Monstano’s Models rivaling Hairspray’s Nicest Kids on the East side. I stood in the middle serving two Directors, a kid eavesdropped on my dilemma and asked “If iPop had you pick between the two showcases, which one would it be if you could only be in one?” I looked at him and gave him an answer anyone would – “Both!”. He nodded in approval and stumbled back into his number. I bounced back between set to set from prep to prep, there was absolutely no more time for rehearsing but a lot of time for questions making me think everyone forgot their places.

Hairspray was ready to put their training to use, we formed a line to make our way up to the Biltmore room together. Then the room went quiet, and the tune of Good Morning Baltimore played. “This was it” I thought. There I was on stage gripping my trench coat like a straight jacket with my tall wobbly legs, as I waited to give Tracey a good morning flashing. The power went to my head and I started flashing around the world, you name it, agents, agencies, managers, and my parents all got a good ole’ unsuspecting flashing from yours truly! After my cameo was over I then scurried to the back to retrieve my Nicest Kids costume, which was just a suit coat and hat off away from my Flasher outfit. I lined up and got ready with my consecutive snaps before the opening bit of the Corny Collins Show! 

The cast and I spun around one after another and began to dance, but something magical happened other than this opportunity, I finally understood why the kids up here with me did what they did. Stage fright is a default hindrance in us that we all had to learn to triumph, while glancing around the stage I understood how much this meant to everyone, I imagined all the trials in their life up into this moment before fame. I admired every individual on that stage holding their own. Keep giving your 100% because that’s all you can give! Time was getting scarce and I was finished with my part on Hairspray, so I sprinted down stairs like I committed a crime to the Regency Room to get prepared for my catwalk. We once again formed a line but this time with the Conga group, the sportsmanship was exceptional as everyone was reassuring each other; that moment alone made my heart happy. As identical as Friday we walked the runway sequentially, then performed our last performance on stage to “We are the World” while waving our arms back and forth. Because of the overlapping, the recipients were receiving their awards and scholarships during the showcases. So if you were performing you couldn’t claim your reward on stage until it was all wrapped up.

The Showcase was finally deemed finished when the lights returned to being dim. Not knowing if I won anything, immediately after, parents, families, and the kids started to congratulate me for all the awards I won. “Awards!?! As in plural?” I gasp in disbelief. My parents emerge from the exiting crowd and blanketed me in a group hug. I was Happy yet sad our adventure was soon to come to an end, but this was only the end of chapter one. My family and I ventured up our last steps in the hotel to the Tiffany room to claim 5 medals! 1x 3rd runner up, 2x 2nd runner up, 1x 1st runner up, and a Gold Medal with the word “Winner” plastered on it for Best Adult Monologue! You know, the competition that I believed ruined my flawless streak. But I let iPop keep my 6th medal. but I’d retrieve the Gold medal in dance competition, because it was stolen by a dark chocolate angel named Mario! No one else was even there during that competition…I found the select kids/celebrities this week that inspired me the most and thanked them, along with sharing our farewells with each other. 

Now it was time to pursue a Magical vacation day at Disneyland after all else was said and done, we called up the Uber, and I took my last good look at the Biltmore Hotel – happy that all my hard work paid off, and the distributed energy from my 1,000,000% to help others. A half hour drive later we arrive at the Paradise Pier roundabout. You can hear me and the sound of my clunking medals ricochet off the walls of the lobby from a mile away, as I was ready to sink into my one day vacation at Disneyland. We’re greeted by a Disney cast member named Julie.

“Hello, we are the Spartz Family ready to check in, please!” “Greetings! I will make sure your room is ready…” she narrows her eyes on the screen. “Yes, here it is, the Spartz Family here for 6 nights and 7 days.”

My forehead cringed and my parents seem to be sending every signal in the book to say no more. Well I guess you can say the secret was out, we were gonna be out here in Los Angeles, California for a little while longer.