Record Breaking Auditions for 'X Factor': Check out this CROWD! (VIDEO)

Could you imagine judging 18,000 “X Factor” hopefuls in one day?

It appeared that Simon Cowell, and fellow judges of ‘The X Factor” had their hands full when an estimated 18,000-plus spotlight seekers came out to audition at the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena Sunday.

As the Daily Mail reports, the surrounding freeways were jammed. Contestants even camped out the night before, facing rainy weather in attempts to get a good spot. According to the Mail, it was the largest talent show turnout the city has witnessed.

"The scenes down here are crazy. There are around 18,000 people here, and the numbers are growing by the second. There's gridlock on the freeways into the venue, it's absolute chaos. These auditions are going to be going on well into the night -- there are a lot of people to get through," an insider reported to MailOnline.

This audition is just the first leg of what could be many for those lucky enough to get compete on television for a $5 million recording deal with Sony. Contestants must first be screened to determine if they are worthy of going before the judges for the section of the auditions that will be filmed and possibly aired on television.

Aside from the huge recording deal, "The X Factor" draws in more contestants by opening the age range. Contestants can be as young as 12, and it’s reported that people up 87 years old came out to Sunday’s audition.

As Paul Pointer, 54, told the Daily Mail:

"I want to thank Simon for giving people like me, my age, the chance to live our dream. I might be older than most but I sure as hell ain't gonna let that stop me!'

What would it look (and feel) like to be in an "X Factor" crowd of 18,000? Check out this freshly uploaded video from someone in line for the audtion: