"It's a singing competition!" I disagree!!
@SereneSecrets (166)
United States
May 17, 2007 10:20am CST
There are many people complaining that American Idol is a singing competition and that Melinda should have beat out Blake for this reason.
I just wanted to say that American Idol, although it claims to be, is NOT a singing competition.
I made the respose to someone in one of my posts that if this were a singing competition and only a singing competition, then the contestants would be placed behind a shadow screen, with a mic stand, and never have to move...only sing. Then we would judge based on the person's singing skills.
This is not what American Idol is! American Idol is an entertainment competition. We pick our favorites based not only on singing, but on performance, personality, uniqueness, and obviously looks. You may hate that it is like this, but you take part in it too. That's just how it goes. If the contestant has an amazing voice, but lacks any personality or performance skills...America will send that person home!
The whole package is what the majority of America wants. What Blake lacks in singing, he makes up for in all other areas, and that is why he is still there. And Jordin is wonderful and I think she goes without saying.
You can bring up Ruben and Fantasia, but all I can say is where are they now? Yeah, I don't know either.
Taylor Hicks won last year because of his dancing, personality, and uniqueness (that grey hair!). He was a good singer too, but I think it should be obvious by now that this is not JUST a "singing competition".
5 people like this
21 responses
@canjo13317 (396)
• United States
17 May 07
i certainly did enjoy doing just that. ;) but i thought she could sing, too.
1 person likes this
@coachflaps (683)
• United States
18 May 07
Indeed you are correct, American Idol is far from just a singing competition and not always the best singers even make it past Hollywood week. The producers want people who will make them money and even though Melinda Doolittle was the best singer by far, she wasn't the best entertainer. Her charisma just isn't the same as Blake and Jordin.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
17 May 07
Interesting thoughts here, and Great discussion by the way. I feel you have hit it on the nose here. Just because a person can Sing really good does not mean America will agree. Often times they are looking for Originality along with personality. And it may not always be there until a person learns to develop it sometimes.
I feel many people love the Originality, and the choice to be unique and different with a New style is why Blake is still there. Same as Taylor Hicks winning last yr. People are tired of the same-o same-o. But no matter who wins, kudos to Blake. I am proud of this Local boy. He is from the Seattle area same as I and what he has done for himself, everyone if they really looked at it should agree.
@timou87 (1638)
• Singapore
18 May 07
I totally agree with you. Its always known as the entertainment industry and never the singing industry, and American idol is looking for the hottest talent for the entertainment industry. people may want to be partial when voting in american idol but that is near impossible as we are bound to be influenced by other factors, such as stage presence and the contestant's background etc
2 people like this
@Kali2218 (61)
• United States
17 May 07
You are completely and totally correct on this. The judges were always trying to say "this is a singing competition", but really it's not. Like you said...if they wanted people to only be judged by their voices, they would never show them. We all know that Melinda will get a deal because she is so good, but I think that all 3 actually deserved to be there and all of them will get a record deal regardless of if they win. I don't particularly like Blake's style of singing, but many people do and he's cute so the little teeny boppers are going to be voting for him. Thanks for putting this out there. You truly hit the nail on the head with this one.
2 people like this
@Candid_Ishida (659)
• United States
17 May 07
I completely agree with you, 100 percent. This is what I have been saying all along when people (like my dad for instance) complain about a better singer being sent home. If this program were broadcast on the radio, THEN it would be a singing competition. But it's not, it's a TV show! People can't help but be affected by what they are seeing as well as what they are hearing.
Everyone says "America got it wrong" nearly every week, but how can America be 'wrong' about who is the most popular? The least popular person is the one with the fewest votes, and that person leaves! Everyone has to understand that the most popular is not always the best singer, and this has been proven many times on Idol.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
18 May 07
I agree although I hated it that taylor Hicks one last year. There are alot of singers that have made it big Chris Daughtry for instance. I think this year it is great Jordin has a wonderful singing voice and a great personality and Blake is good at what he does and he also has a great personaility.
1 person likes this
@battle_mage (18)
• Philippines
18 May 07
I agree and may i add that i think it is more of a popularity and regional thing than a talent contest. I mean a person wins by the number of votes cast. Those who cast their votes have a total freedom to vote who ever they like and not necessarily on the talent or any reasonable criteria. right?
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
17 May 07
Actually the show doesn't even pretend to be a singing competition. They always say "The Search for the Next Superstar". Superstar does not mean the best singer. Does anyone truly believe that Brittany Spears is the greatest singer? Ashlee Simpson hit it big and god knows she is almost devoid of any singing ability.
1 person likes this
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
17 May 07
lol I so agree with you about Britney and Ashlee. But Simon Cowell himself often says "this is a singing competition".
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
17 May 07
I totally agree. It is called a singing competition to get the contestants in, but once america votes, it depends on the popularity of the contestants. If you notice, many of the idols aren't heard of anymore. It is a great show for many to become known in the music business.
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
18 May 07
I agree with you! Although the singing should be a BIG HUGE PART I also know that I personally thought Melinda was a better singer than Blake, he is my favorite by far! I really think personality goes a long way on the show. If you are likable, and a good singer, that will get you further than if you are just a great singer with no personality. I think that is why Melinda went home.
I am not a fan of Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, or Taylor. I did like Taylor's personality but I would never buy one of his cd's.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
18 May 07
Yup, you're right. It's a competition to be "america's idol" not to be "america's best singer". hence the name of the show!
we pick people to admire or 'idol worship' based on a myriad of factors. in this competition, singing is just one aspect marketed as the key aspect. so we get disappointed when the best singer gets voted out.
but for melinda, i was disappointed because i felt she had Great Great personality too. she may be a little shy, and not as flamboyant. but my favourite AI would have been her. perhaps we choose who we wanna be like.
blake can dance better and look sexy (to some? not to me) but in a world where the next new thing becomes the next old thing in a matter of months, it's true personality and genuine loveliness that will prevail. melinda might not be a "popstar" for long, but her voice and her personality will make her a truly admired singer. I don't feel too sorry for her cos I'm sure she'll get a recording contract. and i hope that she lasts longer than all the rest and becomes an all time favourite (like a planet? haha). not some hyped-up fleeting (shooting) star.
1 person likes this
@sanderson_7 (143)
• United States
17 May 07
It is supposed to be a singing competition, thats why in the first rounds the people who have weak voices and cant sing get sent home.
The issue is that america votes for the winner, when someone votes they may not only take singing into consideration, they base thier opinions on looks and personality as well.
When you watch the show, you choose a favorite and even if that person has a bad night at singing you vote for them anyway because that is your favorite and you want to see them win.
When you leave the voteing up to the public and not to professionals you are leaving chances things like this may happen.
The show is supposed to be a singing competiiton but things dont always work out the way they are planned.
As for Taylor Hicks, he won because he was diffrent, he targeted a diffrent group of fans who voted for him because they liked him and his style. My fiance predicted from the begining he would win because he was diffrent, not run of the mill American Idol style.
1 person likes this
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
17 May 07
What you said about choosing a favorite and sticking to them whether or not they have a bad night is so true. Also, what you said about Taylor Hicks is right on point. All those qualities that made him "not run of the mill American Idol Style" are exactly what Blake is in this competition. The final 2 shouldn't be such a shocker.
1 person likes this
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
17 May 07
Oh and it's a singing competition until American gets to vote, and then everything changes. In the very beginning stages when the Judges are picking the people, they base it on singing.
@alilswt (388)
• United States
17 May 07
to each there own i guess but i do believe Blake is a great singer as well as a great performer and many would agree with me as for taylor i do not think he was a good singer american idol is a competition to find a person with the entire package that many people would listen to on a regular basis and would go to concerts to see them
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
18 May 07
American Idol was never really a singing competition in my book. It is a joke. Honestly, just do not watch. I watch other things, sing on my kareoke machine, read graphic novels, go to school, work, and do things with my computer. Just do what you want and do not watch the show.
@canjo13317 (396)
• United States
18 May 07
"sing on my kareoke machine"
American Idol wannabe?? LOL just funnin with ya'
1 person likes this
@Only1Andrea (796)
• United States
17 May 07
I agree, it really isn't all about the singing as American Idol may want everyone to believe it is.
As for Ruben and Frantasia they are both doing great and have powerful singing careers - especially Frantasia she has a movie and book coming out and Ruben has been seen on various sitcoms.
I think that it is important to have the whole package, but nevertheless, the singing should be what is most important.
1 person likes this
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
18 May 07
Talent, is really a subjective thing any way. If it weren't Sanjaya would have never made it to the top ten. I do agree with you to some extent, but Fantasia is doing very well. She is currently appearing as the lead in 'The Color Purple' on Broadway which is produced by Oprah Winfry herself. Ruben is still a top-selling artist who has found his niche in adult contemporary easy listening soul music and gospel. I think eventually all these people find their niche through the show and the winner, at this point, is really moot. Afterall, look what happened to Jennifer Hudson.
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
18 May 07
It was brought to my attention that Fantasia is doing "The Color Purple" which I think is great for her. And Ruben, same thing. My point was only that they are not traditional Idol famous anymore...meaning they are not producing records that are making the charts, winning grammy's, their songs are not played on the radio. I think that is what Idol is going for when they give a contestant a record contract, they want to make money off of them.
Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken...not Idol winners, but all millionaires I'm sure. Good for them. Might be better NOT to win Idol haha.
@LouisJ (488)
• Turkey
18 May 07
I agree with you that it isn't just about their singing ability but it has/or should have a lot to do with it. Furthermore, I do not agree with you that Blake deserves to be on the top two as he not only lacks singing talent but charm and personality too. Other, voted off competitors were in all areas much better than him or Jordan for that matter. Just my humble opinion on this matter:)
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
18 May 07
Thanks for this opinion. Just wondering who you thought should have been in the top 2 if not Blake or Jordin?
@johnwoon (125)
• Malaysia
18 May 07
How do you define "personality" and "performance skill" anyway? Doesn't Melinda possess both of these plus her God-sent voice? What does Fantasia have that Melinda does not have? If this is not a singing contest why did the judges keep reminding the contestants and all viewers about this? Who have the final say about what American Idol should be, the judges or the untrained voters?
http://your-true-idol.blogspot.com/
@SereneSecrets (166)
• United States
18 May 07
That's exactly the point. The judges who say it is a singing competition are not the ones who are voting. Fantasia in my opinion is not as good as Melinda, I never understood that win. Again, people are voting on other factors besides singing, that proves it.
@vinnyviddyviccy (2)
• Indonesia
18 May 07
It's not a singing competition, it is actually an IDOL competition. Te point is : you've got to have a tallent to be an IDOL! and the most noticeable tallent is SINGING AND ACTING! no wonder that many singers and actors/actresses have become the idols for people in this earth. I'm a big fan of TOM CRUISE .. but... holding an event for acting contest is considerably costly compared to singing contest... and yet, it is not common for the acting contest.. so, option to hold a singing contest to search for an IDOL is definitely a brilliant idea..
Everybody needs an IDOL and search for an IDOL becomes a lucrative business nowadays, well, if i were the "SIMON", i'll also search the idol from a SOCCERPLAYER... holding an event of football players contest.. there'll be more NEW BECKHAMS AND ZIDANES....
