American Idol Sob Stories...

I’ve watch American Idol for years, 11 years to be exact. Every year, without fail, some contestants come to tell their heart wrenching stories. And while I sympathize with their situations, I never thought it was fair to the other contestants to give some an edge because they have endured hard times. It is a singing competition, but people’s voting can be influenced by many factors and sob stories are definitely on the list. Let’s face, no one cares how they get their votes and stay on the show, the important thing is to get as much exposure as one can while there. So even the pity vote is a welcomed vote.

Now, not all of these stories are going to be true. Some may be exaggerated for good measure, some told with tearful eyes, others are just bold faced lies. This season, season 11, we have a contestant who apparently made up a story saying his father abandoned him and his mother 10 years ago and has only resurfaced now, because his son is on the show and might make it big. Jermaine Jones told producers he was very upset that his father picked this time to come back into his life. He says his father Kevin Jones was a lousy father and Jermaine wanted nothing to do with him. 

Well today’s media being what it is, investigates every story, either to confirm or refute it, and they did so with Jermaine’s story. They managed to contact his father, Kevin jones, who said the story was totally false. He says he has always been involved in his son’s life and even had dinner with him Wednesday and Thursday of last week. He was even sitting in the audience cheering him on.

I guess the producers of American Idol didn’t do all their homework and Jermaine’s story just may have gotten him a spot on the show. But all the drama should be eliminated and everyone should be treated the same. They should spend more time singing and less time for background stories. If they give us background information, it should be the same information, like what city and state the contestant comes from, how old they are, what do they do for a living etc.

Let’s see if the lie backfires on him this week. I’m sure show executives and maybe the judges are feeling duped, made a fool of, and his fate may be sealed. Maybe he will be eliminated this week. Frankly, as far as I am concerned, his voice is very deep and I never cared for it. I think by virtue of his limited range, there are going to be very few songs he can sing well.

JLo aka Jennifer Lopez Leaving American Idol?



Word is out that Jennifer Lopez may want to leave American Idol after only one year in the judge’s seat. Makes me wonder why? Some rumors are circulating that it is just a ruse so that they will offer her more money, like she needs more money? Others speculate that she thought she was going to be the “star” judge now that Simon was gone, but it turns out that Steven Tyler stole the “star” spot with fans of the show. Tyler has already resigned for season 11.

Jennifer earned about 12 million for her one year with Idol, while Simon was earning 35 million a season when he left.

I agree with the third round of rumors. Jennifer’s career had hit a slump. She had been pretty much out of the public eye for a while, maybe taking care of her twins. I think she signed on to American Idol to boost her career and make a mini “comeback.” Her performance of “On The Floor” on Idol helped to make her song a hit, the first she has had in a long time. But, suddenly, Jennifer has a lot of things “happening” and she may not have time for Idol any more. She basically used the show for her own purposes and now wants to move on.

I’m not sure if I blame her or not. I am a little irritated because I liked her as a judge. I think she was sensitive to the contestants, but delivered constructive criticism when they needed to hear it. If she was just using the show to help her career get back on track, only she knows. And, this comes after Ellen resigned after being a judge for one year too.

However, all hope is not lost. Idol has two other very interested women in mind for the opening in the judges table should Jennifer walk out…Shania and Shakira! I would not mind seeing either of these women as judges, however I am partial to Shania, always have been a fan of hers.

It’s amazing the show has lasted all these years. Many people are getting tired of it and it’s lost it’s magic, but not me. I love seeing talented new singers striving for their dream to break into the music business and getting that opportunity through the show. Many talented and gifted artists may have never been discovered if not for American idol. A lot of the finalists and winners have gone on to not only great careers, but they have also given back to their communities and other charitable and worthy causes. They are good people. I would miss the show if it were to end because many good things have come out of it.

So, do we say good-bye to Jlo? I hope not, but time will tell.

Scotty McCreery Wins American Idol!

This was another very close finale between two equally talented contestants. Scotty just 17 years old and Lauren Alaina only 16 years old. Both country singers, both with wonderful smiles and personalities, both destined to become country stars after American Idol is over. But, at the end of the night, Scotty won! He is our official 10^th American Idol, and I wish him the very best!

American Idol not only manages to pick the greatest singers, but these young people always seem to be so nice! I think that’s why it gets so emotional for me as I get attached to them week after week. I look at them all so talented, so hopeful, so sweet and I want them all to have a chance to fulfill their dreams. It is the main reason I have never gotten tired of this show and will watch till the end of time, even if my favorite doesn’t win or gets booted off early, like Pia did. All of them are being given the chance of a lifetime and somebody’s favorite is going to win!

I do not understand why people find it necessary to bash other contestants when theirs gets eliminated or doesn’t win. It has nothing to do with the other singers. The judges critique and the viewers vote. It’s anyone’s guess who will be going home, but the ones who remain are not at fault. I can understand that we all prefer different genres of music and different singing styles. If a contestant is off key, that is a legitimate complaint. But it’s ridiculous to criticize someone because you don’t like the genre of music they sing, especially when they are doing an awesome job week after week.

Okay, now back to the finale! Tuesday night it was announced that Lauren suffered a vocal cord injury. It may have been a bit much to bring the doctor out, but it may have been done so we would understand why her voice wasn’t up to it’s usual standards or if something were to happen during one of her songs. I actually heard a slight strain in her voice and a little hoarseness, bit overall she did a fine job and the judges practically crowned her at the end of the night. Her last song, Like My Mother Does was amazing and I hope they let her make a cd as soon as possible. The link to the studio version is below.

Scotty also outdid himself Tuesday night. He is cute, he is funny, and he has one of the best male country voices I have heard in a long time. Nashville is just waiting to roll out the red carpet for him. I see a very long and successful future for this young man. His new cd will be “Love You This Big” (link below) which should be released any day, since it is already recorded and set to go.

The night of the finale both contestants sang duets with two of country’s hottest singers. Scotty sang with Tim McGraw. They sang “Live Like You Were Dying,” and it was amazing! Later in the show Lauren sang a duet with Carrie, “Before He Cheats.” Carrie has sung that song only God knows how many times and yet, Lauren held her own in the duet. I think there were some moments when I could not tell who was singing had I had my eyes closed. I was very proud of lauren for being able to pull that off. It just confirmed for me that she deserved to be standing there at the end and that she has tremendous potential still to be developed. There is no telling how far both of these young singers can go. They have never had vocal or professional training or experience. All they have is natural talent, just like Carrie, when she won. Carrie grew as an artist by leaps and bounds into a superstar. These two Idols have it in them to make it big and they are well on their way.

I was at peace going into the finale and I am happy with the results! America got it right!



LINKS:
Scotty: "Love You This Big" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsyzHt88wA0&feature=youtu.be

Lauren: "Like My Mother Does" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxN53vDP6Kc

Lauren AND Carrie http://neonlimelight.com/2011/05/25/video-carrie-underwood-and-lauren-alaina-duet-to-before-he-cheats-on-american-idol-finale/

Scotty and Tim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unlsrFkyAv8

American Idol’s Finale Is Next Week!

I watched all of season ten and now it’s almost over. We are down to the finale, the final two singers, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina. Both surprisingly country singers and both very talented. Gone are the two considered the “favorites” in the beginning, Pia Toscano and James Durbin. I think a lot of people were expecting them to make it to the end. Pia got eliminated too early in the competition. That was upsetting. James made it until last week and left in the fourth position. Even that was shocking. James always had an original way of making all the songs his own and he had natural talent. But, you never know how the votes will go.

Haley was up there with two country singers this week. The final three got 95 million votes. When I heard that number I immediately thought “Uh oh, that means anything could happen tonight. Even with two country singers having to split the country vote, and the judges very high praise of her performances, Haley was eliminated. That was a surprising moment too.

Season 10 had so many talented singers, it was hard to predict who would make it till the end. Only one person can win it all. I braced myself early on for the many disappointments to come. And come they did. The biggest one was the elimination of Pia. I wish she had performed some contemporary songs, maybe that would have changed the outcome. But, I’m not worried about Pia. I think she is already working on her future plans in the music business. She keeps flying out to LA to perform or have meetings. I am sure she has a contract in the works. I think James will be snatched up too. He can sing any song and has never disappointed. Haley and Casey have their own distinct styles. They had a lot of fans. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear they had been signed up by a record company any day.

That leaves Scotty and Lauren! I am not disappointed. This may be the first real “fair” fight at the end. Two country singers battling it out for the title of American Idol. It’s a fair fight. Same genre, same fan base, so who will win it all? Country fans are very loyal and supportive. They buy cds. They go to concerts. They love their artists. Scotty and Lauren are both headed to Nashville when all is said and done. Scotty has a voice that can match the best of male country legends, like Johnny Cash. Lauren is only 16. She has not even begun to reach her full potential. She is 5 years younger than Carrie was when she won Idol. Carrie grew tremendously once she was on her own. I expect that Lauren will too. Who ever wins next week, they are both winners in my book.

Let the games begin!