Why I Love American Idol
Because a 20 year old cocktail waitress from Burleson, Texas now sings infront of millions.
Because a 19-year-old gospel singer on welfare raising a little girl now has money and means to build a better life for her family.
Because a small town girl from Muskogee, OK won CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year.
Every day people with every day means go to extroadinary measures to be a part of American Idol. In the case of Fantasia Barino, her life was ... to be nice ... not so great before she made the long drive to Atlanta to try out. She lived on welfare, had no job, and was trying to raise a 2 year old little girl. She had limited education, no chance at college, but she could sing.
This is a true story I'm telling you ... not a Hollywood movie. A true story. This show, American Idol, has changed people's lives. And whether or not you like the show or not (I like laughing at the bad people and I do watch how the contestants do if it's on) you can not deny that it's affect on American music is real.
Kelly Clarkson, it is argued, would have probably gotten a record deal at some point, because she can really belt out pop songs and she has stage prescence. I like her. She's real. Her songs are bubble gum ... but I like her. And I would let my 13 year old listen to her. She doesn't cuss, she doesn't degrade women ... she's okay. Oh, and my number one reason I'd let my 13 year old listen to her? She's fully dressed.
The other winners of American Idol, Rueben Studdard (overshadowed by runnerup that year Clay Aiken, who sings Christian songs these days), had a good run but have not made the great success that Kelly has had. Fantasia Barino, mentioned above, was season 3's winner, and she did not have the kind of success that either Rueben or Kelly had. But in my mind, any success for that girl is well deserved and her voice is great.
Carrie Underwood was the 4th season winner, and she rocked. I knew the moment I saw her audition she was going to take the whole thing. Something in the way the camera looked at her, the way they had edited her session. Something. She was really good too. At time she was flat. She's not very diverse, not like some of the other contestants. But she sang country really good. And good luck breaking into Nashville if you aren't on Tim McGraw's A List.
Anyway ... but why I love American Idol.
These people don't have money. They don't have friends in high places. They don't have everything they are supposed to have. But every day contestants from that show are being discovered and given opportunites that change their lives. And what is the American Dream if not dreaming for something better for yourself?
What brought me to this topic today is the new movie Dreamgirls about Diana Ross and the Supremes. Diana Ross is played by Beyonce Knowles (of Destiny's Child fame) and Jennifer Hudson, formerly of American Idol season 3, is playing Effie White.
Jennifer Hudson is apparently a show stopper in this film. According to critics she outshines Beyonce who is being pushed for a Best Actress nomination from Oscar. Jennifer was voted off of the season 3 Idol for reasons no one could understand. Simon Cowell even apologized to her publically for it and Oprah loves her and says her voice gives her "chills." The good kind.
I don't know Jennifer's past, but I bet its a humble one. And now she's off to the races with a movie in Oscar contention and a CD to be released in 2007.
I love American Idol. For no other reason than it gives everyday Americans a real shot at doing something truly amazing. Even if they don't win.
Because a 19-year-old gospel singer on welfare raising a little girl now has money and means to build a better life for her family.
Because a small town girl from Muskogee, OK won CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year.
Every day people with every day means go to extroadinary measures to be a part of American Idol. In the case of Fantasia Barino, her life was ... to be nice ... not so great before she made the long drive to Atlanta to try out. She lived on welfare, had no job, and was trying to raise a 2 year old little girl. She had limited education, no chance at college, but she could sing.
This is a true story I'm telling you ... not a Hollywood movie. A true story. This show, American Idol, has changed people's lives. And whether or not you like the show or not (I like laughing at the bad people and I do watch how the contestants do if it's on) you can not deny that it's affect on American music is real.
Kelly Clarkson, it is argued, would have probably gotten a record deal at some point, because she can really belt out pop songs and she has stage prescence. I like her. She's real. Her songs are bubble gum ... but I like her. And I would let my 13 year old listen to her. She doesn't cuss, she doesn't degrade women ... she's okay. Oh, and my number one reason I'd let my 13 year old listen to her? She's fully dressed.
The other winners of American Idol, Rueben Studdard (overshadowed by runnerup that year Clay Aiken, who sings Christian songs these days), had a good run but have not made the great success that Kelly has had. Fantasia Barino, mentioned above, was season 3's winner, and she did not have the kind of success that either Rueben or Kelly had. But in my mind, any success for that girl is well deserved and her voice is great.
Carrie Underwood was the 4th season winner, and she rocked. I knew the moment I saw her audition she was going to take the whole thing. Something in the way the camera looked at her, the way they had edited her session. Something. She was really good too. At time she was flat. She's not very diverse, not like some of the other contestants. But she sang country really good. And good luck breaking into Nashville if you aren't on Tim McGraw's A List.
Anyway ... but why I love American Idol.
These people don't have money. They don't have friends in high places. They don't have everything they are supposed to have. But every day contestants from that show are being discovered and given opportunites that change their lives. And what is the American Dream if not dreaming for something better for yourself?
What brought me to this topic today is the new movie Dreamgirls about Diana Ross and the Supremes. Diana Ross is played by Beyonce Knowles (of Destiny's Child fame) and Jennifer Hudson, formerly of American Idol season 3, is playing Effie White.
Jennifer Hudson is apparently a show stopper in this film. According to critics she outshines Beyonce who is being pushed for a Best Actress nomination from Oscar. Jennifer was voted off of the season 3 Idol for reasons no one could understand. Simon Cowell even apologized to her publically for it and Oprah loves her and says her voice gives her "chills." The good kind.
I don't know Jennifer's past, but I bet its a humble one. And now she's off to the races with a movie in Oscar contention and a CD to be released in 2007.
I love American Idol. For no other reason than it gives everyday Americans a real shot at doing something truly amazing. Even if they don't win.
Comments