Darden nabs Hollywood on ‘American Idol’

Tough, mentally draining and physically demanding are just a few of the ways in which Belmont student Steven Darden would describe his recent journey that brought him to Hollywood on the current season of “American Idol.”

Darden, a senior commercial voice major from Tullahoma, Tenn., traveled to Louisville, Ky., last year with a few colleagues for his shot at stardom. After an intense audition, Darden finally heard the magical words of his lifetime: “You’re going to Hollywood.”

Melinda Doolittle and Kimberly Locke, both former Belmont students, are just two people that have excelled in their careers due to the hit television show that creates today’s pop music stars. And now, Belmont can add Darden to the continuing list.

“You pretty much can’t want a career as a superstar recording artist and pass up a chance at a fast track to that career, and ‘American Idol’ is the only real proven fast track to that. People like Carrie Underwood or David Archuleta pretty much went to bed nobodies and woke up as stars,” Darden said.

“Anyway, I saw those people and what the program could do, and I for sure believed I was good enough to do what they did, so I drove up to Louisville and gave it a shot. I really had nothing to lose,” said Darden when asked why he decided to try out for the competition.

He sang “Take Me There” by Rascal Flatts and “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton during his audition in Louisville.

Not only was Darden nervous during his auditions, but he was greatly fatigued due to a recent medical procedure.

“I got a wristband and drove back to Nashville then back to Louisville to get back in line and audition in the arena. I was still actually bandaged up from surgery at the time and it was a crazy physical experience under those nerves.”

Even though Darden did not make it as far as he would have liked, he says that if the opportunity arises again, you can count him in.

“Without a doubt, I would do it again. I would do anything to get that opportunity to build an instant fan base and start a career. You only live once, and it’s up to me to make it happen if it’s going to.”