Leah Westfall

If you thought Jesse Camps was the worst VJ MTV has turned out, you may be in for a surprise. It's Wednesday afternoon at the House of Blues and MTV2 is holding open auditions to become the newest video jockey. The line stretches over two blocks as Chicagoans decked out in their finest, now-soaking-wet duds stand in the pouring rain to show MTV why they would be the best for the job. Or the worst.

An early contestant says he has been there since 6:30am for the 2pm call. He isn't the first though; some spent the night camped out in front of the venue to assure themselves a spot in line, as judges are only considering the first 100 people.

So what does it take to be a VJ? "They have to look good on camera," says a coordinator, "they have to have passion."

The line is a sea of diversity as many local Chicago artists have made it out to represent the music they love. One contestant points out "every category is here, everything from alternative to rap."

A brief reading and a Polaroid headshot is all the contestants have to impress the judges. "Is it okay if he adlibs?" asks the man in charge of the cue cards. "Absolutely! Yes please!" cry the judges as they clap enthusiastically for those who adlib or throw in any bit of personality to the script.

The reading ends for one contestant, she looks around as if to ask "that's it?" and she is ushered off stage and the next contestant files in.

Like the twelve who went before her, contestant thirteen fumbles over the web address that is written into the script. She laughs and covers her mouth with her hand. She starts again, this time making it all the way through and ends by throwing her head back as if she had just bombed it.

The winners are announced at the night's The Living End concert. A fifth winner will be selected based on votes on the MTV2 Web site, and all winners will be reviewed in New York and from that a VJ will be selected.

"I'm hoping this will do it," laughs one contestant toward the end of the line as he flashes a wad of money he claims to be $500.

No TRL hosts here--this is MTV2. When asked if he really watches MTV2 one contestant admits "I don't really even know what MTV2 is."

(2006-12-05)

Also by Leah Westfall

Roller Me Away
A girl strapped to a stretcher holds up a "rock on!" hand gesture as she is wheeled out of the stadium, while the sold-out crowd and her teammates cheer her on--and the bout has not even begun. Everything about the derby is tough, even the warm-up. As one occupied stretcher is cleared away, an empty one is brought in, and the game begins. An admiring member of the audience holds a "Break My Heart A-Bomb" sign--but more than that is about to get broken
(2006-11-14)

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