2:26They sang Oasis songs. They posed for selfies. They cheered for host Ryan Seacrest, who pulled up in a blue Mustang to tape promotion bits.
But mostly they dreamed of global stardom.
About 2,000 hopefuls showed up Wednesday morning at Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to audition for "American Idol," the first time the blockbuster show has visited the Twin Cities since 2006.
The crowd was significant but not nearly as large and boisterous as the last time around when more than 10,000 people stormed Target Center. The show was at an all-time low last season with an average of 12.3 million viewers.
Seacrest said he wasn't sure why there's been such a long gap between Minneapolis stops.
"Guess that means you're due a winner," said the host, dressed all in black.
Among those waiting in line was season five finalist Paris Bennett, who was on hand to support a friend.
Not on hand: The celebrity judges — Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick, Jr., and Keith Urban — who are expected to see the best of the best in Minnesota later in the year. The new season starts in January.
![Hundreds of "American Idol" fans cheered as they waited for Ryan Seacrest, to arrive for the show's auditions outside Mariucci Arena, Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. The last time the show was in Minneapolis was in 2006. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/E6GOTJCHBRC7Z63W7SEJNZ5Z5A.jpg?&w=1080)
![Ryan Seacrest, host of "American Idol," filmed the show with potential contestants outside Mariucci Arena, Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. The last time the show was in Minneapolis was in 2006. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JLSXSMQOTZ2CCJ7GI53VWY2T5Q.jpg?&w=1080)
