America Idol is an interesting Phenom to me I did not think Rueben would win. . . . Question: Is this one of the last fields were PURE TALENT wins whether the talent is looking good or singing good? Irregardless of race? being that blacks are 12% of the population . . . i doubted that they muster up enough votes alone. . . . to put a Rueben in the winner's circle or to keep LaToya and Fantasia alive this long So Others must be voting [unless it is rigged and it is a sham] Which is very encouraging for me. . . . makes me happy to think that they have been judged on their merits . . . . their talent [which i don't think happens in everyday life as often . . but things like that may change my opinion . . but not easily] of course lookism is still alive [she looks like she 30 etc. . . . but I don't get the feel that it is because she black and the older looking thing is a euphemism] Lookism is a part of ANY of these contests [I won't even touch the DEPLORABLE SWAN THING] In this contest : PURE SINGING ABILITY WILL NEVER WIN you *have* to have A LOOK if not THE LOOK to go with it Rocket River I don't much care for the show .. but my interest in it is just curiousity
Do you understand that with these words, you are accusing others of racism? Why do you trust the free market to decide who is the best singer or who to put on a basketball or football field, but reject that same free market's decision in virtually everything else? It simply doesn't add up. While we're at it, 'irregardless' isn't even a word.
Someone needs to tell this to Merriam-Webster. It's use may not be generally accepted, but it's definitely a word.
Its is the proper form here, not it's. When you get involved in grammatical discussions, you must be prepared to take the heat. Anyway, I think the non-black performers have a natural voting advantage, and have to really screw up big time to get voted off the show. As long as they keep pace (or even perform worse in many cases) they have no worries about being voted off, while talented black singers get sent home week after week even after great performances. There have been many, many cases of crappy non-black singers sticking around much longer than they should have, but there has never, ever been an extremely bad black singer who went far in this competition. Unless Fantasia wins this thing, and I would bet my entire life savings that she does not, I will not be convinced that there isn't at least some sort of racial undercurrent behind the voting body of this show. There have been too many instances like this throughout the show's history for it to be mere coincidence.
Who said I'm not? I can take criticism and not act like I know more than the English language. Unlike others...
ok well its clearly not racism because everyone seems pissed off by her getting voted off. i think its simply a matter of how the people are voting. people in the audience thought it was a joke too. everyone knew latoya was the best but somehow she didn't win. either its because no one really liked her or because everyone just expected her to win and they voted for other people.
I believe it is very possible that there is a racial undercurrent with AI, as with everything else in this country. My question is that is it racism though? I know plenty of Filipinos that voted for Jasmine and Camile because they can relate to her as I know many African-American's that voted for Fantasia and La Toya because they related to them. Is that racism? (I'm honestly asking your opinion). I believe that race plays a factor in how people vote but not because someone would rather not vote for a Black person, but a persons race affects how well a person relates to a contestant. I wouldn't have ever voted for Fantasia because I believe she is loud and obnoxious, but La Toya because she is more quiet and reserved as I usually am and I can relate to that more. For many people, they can relate to a person based on their nationality and that is how they vote. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, and that is why they vote. If everything was going to be based on what the judges said, then why have a vote at all. It would be just like Star Search.
The racism thing did cross my mind, but VesceySux's diva theory sounds plausible. Jasmine is cute, but I don't know how people can stand her sympathy winning antics, same with Diana. I've been hoping Fantasia wins it right from the start, hope she can win it all and give the other two the finger. VesceySux's: where did u get that inside info? Any clues? Anyone think its worth doing a poll on who should win out of the finalists? Our own Clutch Idol thread. (Not sure how to start one). Since people are voting for who they want to stay, maybe most ppl think Latoya should stay longer (2nd place), but not many think she should win. Since there's a strong motivation to let who you want to win stay, it could explain why Latoya is out.
From EW.com (need registration to see article...) The Evil Genius of American Idol by Kristin Veitch | May 7, 2004 (The artist formerly known as Wanda) Pssst...Hey, "America"...Diana DeGarmo could very well be your next Idol. The more I hear about what's going on behind the scenes of American Idol, the more I'm convinced our girl Diana just might be the second coming of Kelly Clarkson, slam-dunk victory and all. Insiders close to the show tell me Diana has been the front-runner in recent voting--she's been number one the past few weeks, they say--and producers are making sure the final song fits her style, just as they did with Kelly, who also led her competition in final weeks. (Clearly, "A Moment Like This" was not the best fit for Justin Guarini.) As in previous seasons, that finale song is expected to be launched as a single soon after the last show airs. And so it seems "America" doesn't necessarily see eye to eye with the judges, who were brought to tears by Fantasia Barrino's most recent performance. Plus, there's Simon's constant cry that Fantasia and La Toya London are in "a different league." Personally, I agree. So, why might Diana be pulling ahead? In my humble couch-tater opinion, we might finger two factors: 1. Split Votes. La Toya and Fantasia, though different in style, may be splitting the votes of people with an ear for true talent. That could also explain the girls dropping into the bottom three with Jennifer Hudson two weeks ago. 2. Personality. Monday night's getting-to-know-you special showed the only candidate who can handle herself in interviews is Miss DDG. The others looked like terrified deer in headlights (the glare off Seacrest's frosty highlights?). Diana seemed a bubbly, well-spoken, 16-year-old southern belle who wants nothing more than to be the next American Idol--while La Toya came across as a tired mother who wants nothing more than to see her children and take a nap. ("It's never going to stop" isn't the best way to garner votes.) Still, the important thing is this: Just because you're privy to a little inside scuttlebutt on who's leading the pack, don't start thinking anyone is truly safe. As we've seen from the ousters of Hudson and Tamyra Gray, voting patterns are anything but predictable. So, as always, Idol fans, follow your heart, vote with your speed dial, and above all else, don't forget to wipe the drool off your face when you imagine what it's like to be Simon Cowell's sex slave. That's my mantra, anyway.
I don't think last night's results were because of racism. I think it's because of agism. The teenyboppers that watch this show are going to vote for the contestants that they most relate to. They relate to the two 16 year old girls more than they do the other two and that's why they voted for them. That's why John Stevens lasted as long as he did. Because he's a 16 year old kid and other kids his age (the core audience of the show) are going to vote for him.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...&u=/ap/20040514/ap_en_mu/american_idol_hawaii Hawaii Helps Local Girl Prevail on 'Idol' By RON STATON, Associated Press Writer HONOLULU - Since she started competing on "American Idol," Jasmine Trias has ridden a wave of support in Hawaii from radio hosts, a TV news anchor, a newspaper and a congressman. But it looks like the support from regular Hawaii residents — those with telephones, anyway — is what's really paying off. It appeared Trias would be knocked out of the competition after a mediocre performance earlier this week, but viewers sent favorite La Toya London packing instead. Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo also were left standing. The finale is May 25-26, when one of the three singers wins the "Idol" crown and a record contract. The mania surrounding the contest continued in Hawaii on Thursday, as fans greeted Trias at Honolulu's airport. Later, as she received a proclamation declaring it "Jasmine Trias Day," Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona told her that she has galvanized the state. "You represent us very well," he said. Trias told the crowd that she thought she was going to be eliminated Wednesday. Executive producer Simon Fuller said she had given farewell gifts to the staff. One phone company's records might hold clues to the outcome. Of the 29 states in Verizon's local territory, only New York and California logged more calls on its network than Hawaii after the show, a Verizon spokesman said Thursday. California and New York are among the most populous states in the nation; Hawaii is among the least. "We hear people say they have voted much more than 100 times," said Michael W. Perry, co-host of the top-rated morning radio show in Honolulu, which has taken up her cause. "For a lot of people it's a Tuesday night habit to see how many times they can get through." It's possible there was a regional factor beyond state pride. Because of the time difference — Hawaii is six hours behind the East Coast — viewers might enjoy a less-crowded calling period to cast votes. Judge Randy Jackson, who said after Wednesday's show that the results were a travesty, noted that Honolulu television newscasters have signed off with a reminder to vote for Trias. That brought an on-air retort from Joe Moore, news anchor at KHON, the Fox station that carries "American Idol." "If Randy thinks I'm gonna stop telling people in Hawaii to support our local girl — Randy, you got another thing coming, dude." The Honolulu Advertiser published its own full-page color ad seeking to boost her vote, and U.S. Rep. Ed Case urged support during a Tuesday night tribute in Washington to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. He ended his speech saying, "If you want to show your support for Asia Pacific Americans tonight, you know what number to call on what TV show right about now. Jasmine just finished singing." Trias is of Filipino, Spanish and Chinese ancestry. She said she felt "a little guilty" advancing in the competition after her performance was panned by the show's judges. But judge Simon Cowell said he told her after the show, "Don't carry this load on you just because a better singer left the competition. You got more votes, that's American Idol." Fans also turned out for the other two finalists as they returned home. In High Point, N.C., police estimated 3,000 fans showed up to show support for Barrino. City officials gave her a key to the city, and proclamations of support were read from the High Point City Council and Guilford County Board of Commissioners. In Snellville, Ga., hundreds of fans and friends packed a social hall to welcome DeGarmo. The 16-year-old singer was presented a key to her hometown and named "mayor for the day."
