New England American Idol Auditions Draw 7,000 Hopefuls

Lured by the hope of being the next Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson or David Cook, around 7,000 hopefuls reported to the American Idol auditions held at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium outside of Boston, Mass. this past weekend.

Neither snow nor sleet could keep the hopefuls from congregating in a line that, the AP reported, stretched as long as the stadium and into the parking lot.

The show's host, Ryan Seacrest, said that the inclement weather was a good way to test the dedication of the would-be season nine contestants.

"If you're auditioning, you want pouring rain, you want freezing weather," Seacrest said. "It makes the weak stay home." (Photo: Getty Images)