IF you think you’re cuter than Carrie, hotter than Kelly and can make America forget about wholesome (and handsome) Taylor Hicks, listen up – “American Idol” producers are waiting for you.

Gray-haired guys from the South and bald rockers need not apply – if you’ve already seen it on the show, they’re not looking for it again.

But before you can wow the “Idol” holy trinity, you’ll have to brave New Jersey first. On Monday, East Rutherford will be one of seven cities hosting auditions for the sixth season of the pop-star search. This show’s first stop was in Los Angeles earlier this week where they saw more than 10,000 people.

Here’s some tips on what to do and what not to do, as told to us by the people who would know – former “Idol” contestants Constantine Maroulis, Travis Tucker, Becky O’Donohue and Judd Harris, as well as Patrick Lynn, the show’s coordinating producer since the first season.

PREPARE

Sure, the most important thing is to pick a song that’s right for you. But one good song isn’t enough.

When Judd Harris tried out for season four, he sang “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and then planned to sing Billy Joel’s “Baby Grand.” Instead, the producer asked him to sing more Motown, and someone behind him suggested “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” Harris says to come prepared with more than the suggested two.

Becky O’Donohue agrees. When she tried out for season five, she mixed it up with catchy upbeat tracks and slower ballads.

“Anyone that is going to sing something older, like Etta James, should always have a contemporary song ready, something that you would hear on the radio. They will ask you to sing something contemporary,” she says. “Hello, it’s ‘American Idol.’ They want a pop song.”

WHAT TO SING

Pick a song that fits your voice. If you don’t sound like Alicia Keys, don’t sing her tunes.

“Don’t sing anything that’s too recognizable – everyone sings Mariah Carey. And, you don’t sound better than her, no what what your mom says, so don’t,” says O’Donohue, who sang Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need a Hero.” “And don’t go anywhere near Whitney Houston or Christina Aguilera. People do it on the show, get bashed, and no one learns,” Constantine Maroulis says.

“Unless you’re going to bring something so much different that Whitney Houston does – which you’re not going to do – stay away from it.” Instead, he suggests that everyone pick up a Billboard book full of No. 1 songs, and pick out a fun pop song with interesting lyrics.

SCHEDULE

It’s going to be a long day. After you get your wristband and ticket, it could be anywhere from hours to days before you sing. And chances are you’re going to be nervous.

You’re allowed to bring a friend or family member, so enlist someone calming to accompany you to the arena. And bring entertainment – like a magazine or your iPod – to help calm your nerves.

Also, be on your best behavior.

Don’t cut in line – they threw three people out of the L.A. audition this week for that – and don’t mouth off to the staff.

“The audition starts as soon as you walk on to the grounds of the auditions. People are always watching you,” says Maroulis, who brought his rocker act to season four. “You never know who these people around you are going to be one day – casting directors, TV personalities. Act like a professional at all times.” O’Donohue knows the feeling – she was escorted to her seat by a young woman in a bandana. The next day, the same woman was one of her judges.

“One of the things that people don’t remember is that we start judging people they minute they show up. We’re walking up and down the line, looking for something interesting,” Patrick Lynn says. “And come prepared to be patient.”

WHAT TO WEAR

Don’t be slutty.

“If you’ve got a body to kill, flaunt it. There’s no need to wear a mumu if you’re a 36-24-36, but there’s no need to go all skank, either,” Travis Tucker says. Also, don’t wear anything with a logo, sports team, college or brand name – they won’t put you on TV if you do.

“Personally, I don’t care if someone wears a costume. I like originality. If someone decides they’re going to stand out with a goofy hat or face makeup, I don’t care,” Lynn says. “It’s all well and good, but we all knows as producers what really matters.”

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

If you’re lucky enough to get an audition – not everyone at each venue will – chances are you’ll have between 30-60 seconds to captivate the judges with your voice. So, you better make them count.

“Pick a great pop song, with an interesting lyric that you can tell a great story with,” says Maroulis, who sang “Cryin’ ” by Aerosmith.

“You want a good verse into a nice bridge into a big chorus and you’re out. Sixteen bars and you’re done.” Don’t feel like you have to start from the beginning – just make sure it gets good, fast.

“You better hit them quick. It can be as short as 15 seconds, so don’t diddle-daddle and get to the good parts quick,” Tucker says.

“You don’t have much time to shine. And if they ask you to sing another song, it’s good.” If they say “thank you” within seconds of your first note, chances are it’s over.

IMPRESSING THE TRINITY

If you get past the first cattle call audition where you sing in front of a producer and an assistant, and the second audition where you have to impress the executive producers, you have a chance to meet the real stars – Simon, Paula and Randy.

“They’re exactly what you think they’re like.

Simon will be a jerk. And if he doesn’t like you, he will tell you and then rip you apart,” says Harris, who now fronts a band called Visible From Space.

“Paula will be supportive no matter what, and Randy will say ‘dog’ a lot.” There will also be a guest judge, anyone from Mark McGrath to Gene Simmons, who’ll throw in their opinion, too.

“Simon gets to the point where he doesn’t have time for someone’s bull – – -t and he’s sick of Randy and Paula blowing smoke up someone’s (butt),” says Lynn, who watched Cowell leave an audition in San Francisco last year because he was so frustrated.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

It’s just as important as picking the right song. Really.

“It sounds cheesy, I know,” says O’Donohue. “But, if you fail and you were trying to be someone you’re not, it will haunt you for the rest of your life. If they don’t like you for who you are and your voice, you can live with that.”

“American Idol” tryouts

Where: Continental Airlines Arena, Gate A, East Rutherford, N.J.

Line up for wristbands: Saturday beginning at 6 a.m.

Auditions: Begin Monday at 8 a.m., after which no new wristbands will be given out