Singing Contest or Popularity, What do you think

Honestly, I think it's a little bit of both. I've been a huge AI fan since season 2 [for some reason I just never really got into season 1] and its sort of always been this way in my opinion. However, about Sanjaya - I LOVE him. I think he did an amazing job on his song the night before last. I'm glad he's still there. I think Haley should've went home ages ago.

American Idol is definitely a popularity contest. The results last night were horrible!!! The only thing I can say is, I can't remember the girls name who went home last night, but she sure can sing great.....and I can remember Sanjaya's name and he has a lot of growing to do with his singing. So which one is more popular?! Just look who is there. I will give Sanjaya the benefit because he did do a good job singing this week. Hailey should have been out.

I was shocked. Unbelievable. I think that show is a joke anymore. If they do not get rid of Sanjaya soon I am going to boycott the show. He can not sing and if he wins I think that will be the end of American Idol.

Well, I have to say, I'm honestly not even shocked anymore. I think I've gotten over that after being shocked several times before. I'm more shocked now at who's beeing booted off now, not at the fact that Sanjaya's not. I'm already expecting to not even hear "Sanjaya, you are going home" on the next show. Believe me though, when it does happen, if it ever does, me and my husband are planning on having our own little secret party here at our house in our living room and will jump and scream from joy and thank God that he is finally gone!

Sanjaya cannot sing! so yes popular by teens he is gonna be in one of the top 5 just because he has the little girls admiration

I agree; Sanjaya should have went home. All throughout the top 24;12; and now 10, he's been giving awful performances. I could do better than him and I sing off-key.

Am I the only one who thinks that that is all it ever was in the first place?

I also think it is a little of both. You get people that vote for the talent, and then you get the people who treat it like a high school popularity contest. I think it's stupid, it's a singing competition for crying out loud. You should vote for TALENT, not looks. I think it's sad that people vote for the ones who aren't talented just because they like the way those people look. I think Sanjaya is there because of popularity/looks as well. If people would vote exclusively on singing talent, Sanjaya wouldn't have been in the top 12. Unfortunately the votes are open to everyone in the US, so there's really no way of stopping it. :(

Of course it's a popularity contest. That's EXACTLY what the music business is! Do you think Brittany Spears is so popular because she's talented? What about Ashlee Simpson? They aren't selling albums with talent, it's popularity. I don't vote based on talent OR popularity. I vote based on who would make a good album. I would NEVER buy an album from Melinda Doolittle or Lakisha. I would buy an album made buy Gina Glocksen the day it came out though. It's all about style to me.

I do believe also that most of america is voting based on popularity, the majority voting is kids/teens and kids tend to base there votes on whose cute and who has the most stylish clothes on, etc.. but I vote and I vote base on talent. And thats how all of America should vote.

It HAS to be a popularity contest since Sanjaya is still on the darn show!

I couldn't agree with you more!!! My husband is so upset that he doesn't even want to watch the show with me anymore. I honestly don't think that he should have even made it to the top 12. Sundance Head should still be in the competetion!!!