Professional Singers in the American Idol Contest!
@whiteheather39 (24403)
United States
February 20, 2008 6:19pm CST
Do you think this is fair? I thought it was to discover talent among amateurs who enter the contest. I for one will not vote for any of the professionals. What do you think? The Idol people say that the rules only say they must not have a current recording contract sounds like a cop out to me.
Is TV's "American Idol" becoming a slick way to promote wannabe stars with previous experience in the music industry rather than a showcase for raw, undiscovered talent?
This question is being asked after it was revealed that prior to appearing on the show, some contestants have been signed to million-dollar deals by record companies. As first reported by New York Magazine, several of this season's "Idol hopefuls are less amateur than the show would lead viewers to believe -- and may actually be some of the most seasoned contestants the competition has ever seen.
Idols: Where Are They Now? One in particular, Irish singer Carly Hennessy, has an impressive music resume. Her album can be bought online or at record stores.
Hennessy, now 24 and set to appear on upcoming "Idol" shows, released "Ultimate High" in 2001, and despite a more than $2 million budget from MCA Records, the label that signed her at the time, managed to sell only a few hundred copies of her CD, according to Phil Gallo, a music critic at Variety.
Full story and other professional read the full story
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4149436&page=1
4 people like this
17 responses
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
21 Feb 08
Well, it definitely gives an advantage to some contestsnts. Everybody made such a fuss over the opera singer, Paul Potts and said it was so amazing how he came from nowhere but I read where he had actually sung with some Italian opera houses in minor roles. Isn't that also professional experience?
I don't think it matters that much in the long run. The biggest new star will turn out to be some kid who is currently cutting his or her teeth in a garage band somewhere. The next Dylan, Streisand etc is probably NOT going to come from American Idol.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I think its a bit unfair for those who have not had any professional singing experience what so ever to sing with those who have, as they have had their voices coached and no doubt know how to perform on the stage and so forth, BUT look at those young ones :) I think they are going to take the show and actually do better than the ones that have had some kind of professional singing career or experience. Well thats what I think anyways!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
21 Feb 08
I dont watch American Idol, but I love the Aussie one. This seasons show hasn't started yet.
I always presumed that Idol, in both our countries, was for the amateur.
Mostly they are in Australia. I have not heard of any that had recording contracts. This is very unfair if it ios occuring with American Idol.
I know at our last Idol, the winner was a singer with a great deal of experience from about the age of three. '
If the program managers are not going to act upon this, I imagine then that the public will need to protest vigorously.
The whole idea is fairness to everybody & giving an amateur a chance.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I agree with your statement "The whole idea is fairness to everybody & giving an amateur a chance."
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
21 Feb 08
To be honest I don't think it should matter if they are semi-pro or not. The show is to find a star, why should they only look for people who have no talent or little talent? If someone is good enough they will end up with a deal be it from Idol or someone else. Hell most of the people who end in the top 10 end up with record or movie deals so what does it matter if they have to go up against real talent? They'll have to go up against that if they make it so why not get use to it now.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
22 Feb 08
You have a point there it could be a motivation for the amateurs to try even harder when they see what they are up against.
@Betty34 (267)
• United States
21 Feb 08
Hi,
I went to the article that you posted, it didn't mention them though. Where can I read about Michael Johns and Carly Smithson? Those are two of my favorites. Acually I did hear that Carly's record company closed its doors. Please let me know, I'm eager to read about Michael Johns. That really sucks, because I think that is unfair to the other contestants also. I don't vote; I just watch. So I guess it doesn't really matter unless I'm helping them win. lol
B
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Feb 08
Here is one of the links on your two favorites:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/WinterConcert/story?id=4315159
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Feb 08
Carly Smithson, Michael Johns and Kristi Lee Cook had already had record deals before they went on "American Idol."
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
21 Feb 08
Like yourself and the posters before me, I think it very unfair to allow people who have had previous experience in the recording industry to compete for American Idol. The presumption is that the contestants are amateurs. This really stinks and makes me not want to continue watching! Although, now I'll watch for sure and keep my fingers crossed that a TRUE amateur wins!
@mummymo (23706)
•
21 Feb 08
I can see why you are annoyed by this, when tv companies and the media are less than honest in such things and that they have their own hidden agendas! maybe they should do a different show for people who have achieved partial success but not managed to get their career off the starting blocks? I do think it does sound as thopugh they have an advantage in that they have had previous experience and tuition! xx
@kabalyero (180)
• Philippines
28 Feb 08
My understanding is that American Idol is a search for undiscovered talent in America. Having professionals defeat that purpose. Oh well, maybe they changed the rules. It's there show anyway! ;)
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I went to the link and have to say I'm disappointed in what I read and don't think it's fair to the people there who are trying to get a start in show business. My question is do any of the others know about this? If I were in their position and knew about this I would quit. Maybe if they did that the show would be ruined and the producers would learn a lesson from it. It's not fair at all.
@mishastar (734)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I stopped watching american idol two or three years ago. I can't stand it. The has turn into such a joke....and I find it boring.
@lolalolacherrycola (899)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I am not sure what the AI rules are, however, Carly Smithson did mention that she had a record deal in the past. She said that the company she had the deal with went belly up.
From what I have read, she never made any money at it.
I think that the best artist should win.
I had certainly never heard of her before American Idol.
I might also add that considering the competition, I don't think she will win in the end.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
21 Feb 08
Well, i think this is the reality of it all... i read that Kelly Clarkson was somewhat like a failed singer before she joined American Idol... same with Taylor Hicks... he already had a band and was performing in some gigs before becoming an American Idol...
They seemed to have overlooked other facts before they made the rules... since Carly is eligible because she is not signed in any record label...eventhough she already had an album released...
I think they should put in the rules that the contestant should have zero albums and was never signed up in any label before...
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I don't think they should allow semi professionals in the competition either. The show should be for new talent. I really hate it when they bend the rules for someone.
