Runner Up Maria Jose Castillo in Latin American Idol 2008

The fourth season of Latin American Idol is soon to kick off and Costa Rica has been announced as the fourth and last location for this season’s trials.  Online inscriptions to the 4th Latin American Idol competition is currently open and will begin on July 4th in Argentina.

The vice president for Sony Entertainment, Rogelio Jaua, mentioned that all permits are currently being processed and that the final location for the auditions is still to be confirmed.  The auditions in Costa Rica are scheduled to take place on Saturday July 25th, 2009.

This will be the first time Costa Rica has been chosen as a location for the Latin American Idol auditions and it will give locals the opportunity to show off their talent.  The Costa Rican participant Maria Jose Castillo was the runner up in last year’s competition having won the Latin American Idol title Margarita Henriquez from Panama.

From the show, host Erika de la Vega and judges Jon Secada, Mimi and Oscar Mediavilla will be in Costa Rica for a total of 5 days during which they will hold the auditions and offer a press conference as well.

Several Costa Rican musicians and producers expressed their satisfaction in having an international hit show choose Costa Rica as one of its audition locations.  Both Luis Alonso Naranjo and Alfredo “Chino” Moreno agreed that it will provide Costa Rica with a great exposure as well as an opportunity to give local talent a shot at fame.

Previous auditions will be held in Argentina on July 4th, Venezuela on July 11th, Mexico on July 18th and Costa Rica on July 25th.