Sanjaya Malakar is facing, most likely, one of his biggest performance challenges on American Idol 6. This next week's show determines who gets to join the Idol tour or simply go home. I've dubbed Sanjaya "The Little Engine That Could" after that famous children's story about the small train, who against all odds, rose to the occasion by pulling on inner strength and self-belief. He is one of the most talked about controversial contestants this year, attributed with attracting some strong alliances in Vote For The Worst and Sirius satellite's Shock Jock, Howard Stern. Stern's been drawn into this fray because he hates American Idol, plus discounting how derogatory or colorfully he may phrase it on his show, Stern has a propensity to take up a fight for the Underdog. After all, Stern knows fully well, and first-hand, what it is like to be that Underdog. Through sheer grit, wit, and an uncanny insight into what may lurk in the back of folk's minds, Stern has fought his way to success.
The talk and controversy surrounding Sanjaya Malakar this season is reminding me of the brouhaha that swirled around Taylor Hicks last year. Obviously there are vast differences between Taylor Hicks and Sanjaya Malakar. To point out only a few, singing style, age, appearance, and experience levels. Both share the situation of having to overcome big odds stacked against them, Hicks last season, Malakar this year. Hicks stared down adversity and won, and of course Sanjaya is just in the beginning stages.
At this time last year Hicks was beginning to amass a loyal following. His fans on the Idol forums faced harsh criticisms with attacks on his appearance and much debated perceived lack of true "Idol form". His singing was criticized, his dancing slammed, and he was made fun of for his hair color. Sanjaya has been developing a growing fan base as well, and his fans are facing similar attacks on their favorite. It's a real jungle out there in the world of Idol fans.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Carol
Of course the biggest difference between Sanjaya and Taylor was the level of talent. People seem to conveniently forget the really nice things that Simon said to Taylor last year. Of course, calling the sexiest dancing since Elvis "ridiculous" was just stupid. They passed up more talented people to put Sanjaya on and haven't said anything good since. I also admire the way he is handling himself. And hes not as bad as they say. I may vote for him just to spite Simon, for despite what he says now he did recognize Taylors talent. Oh, and if you haven't done it treat yourself to one of Taylors tour shows. That boy is a BANDLEADER. Just fantastic.
And vote Sanjaya, he deserves some support.
2 - MaryS
Every season there seems to be one not-quite-ready-for-this contestant in the AI competition, and this season it is Sanjaya. I agree with what Sundance Head said that someday Sanjaya will come into his own but he just lacks confidence. That's not hard to understand for a 17 year old competing against adults. I also agree that Sanjaya sounded better on the MP3 than his visual performance and the judge's comments would indicate.
I appreciate the "Rocky Balboa" analogy for Taylor but I agree with the commenter above that there are major differences between him and Sanjaya. Taylor has a great, strong voice and established musical identity. He also has enormous charisma and confidence even in the face of Simon's scathing critiques. His victory was due in part to a combination of his style, talent and a thick skin, and part because he was someone we cared about.
Sanjaya is budding potential but lacking in confidence. His voice sounds unripe - if that makes any sense. That being said, is mild and respectful manner has definitely helped him. I wonder what would have happened if he had waited a couple years and then tried out.
3 - Michelle
I really love reading all of your blog entries because this is the one place I know where I can always read positive, inspiring words about Sanjaya. In the past weeks it seems that negative comments have been majorly overweighing positive comments. Lik you said though, it seems that at this point some people have begun to return to being a fan of his or changed their mind to be a fan of his. People are starting to recognize his undeniable talent after hearing the mp3 and are cheering this kid for his courage in the face of adversity.
4 - woodyc777
are you watching the same show i am.Sanjaya dosent belong there.
5 - Joe
I'm pretty sure that Sanjaya, by virtue of making into the Top 12 is already in the tour. It's not Top 10.
6 - Grandpa Idol
I'm not sure what you are smoking but Sanjaya has zero talent and is obviously a vote the worst fav. In addition, he is in no way similar to Taylor Hicks but probably closer to Bucky Covington from last season who lasted way too long. Unless he is voted off this week he will make it to the tour and will obviously drag in more teenies to watch is curly locks which will in turn create more revenue for the Idol machine.
As far as who makes the tour, it's always been the top 10 but maybe 11 and 12 are waiting in the wings as fill ins. I've seen two concerts and have never counted more that 10.
7 - Mich
Sanjaya is a gentle soul. I do agree there is a major difference between Sanjaya and Taylor Hicks so comparisons are irrelevant from a both a maturity level and vocals.
8 - Jewels
I'm apparently smoking the real weed, dude. Grandpa, no disrespect, but the boy has talent. To what degree well, that can be debated. Not my topic today. Comparing Sanjaya to Taylor, I can do, you see, I have a blogsite - The first independent site on Hicks, so I uphold the honor of comparing anyone I like to him. I picked him to win last year in auditions and went to picking at the keyboard and working a blog about him. Just FYI darlin. I do appreciate your commentary, at least you have an opinion. ;)
Top ten go on tour, Joe, top 12 do the Season CD. I appreciate your respectful post- considering what Grandpa wrote... I figured that I'd have all sorts of verbal tomatoes thrown at me for having feelings for this kid and his struggle.
Carol, I completely recognize Taylor's level of talent, check my URL. My site is "Idol Blues", which was the first Taylor Hicks blog/website outside of his own. It's just - probably you've not gone on the boards too much, the A.I. one, but I remember how we had to fight for Taylor last year. Man, he was called fat, old, ugly, you name it. At least he was twenty nine years old, seasoned, he could handle it better. This kid is being brutally attacked for having a dream. Man, being part of the Soul Patrol, and seeing Taylor to the win, against the odds gave me a new perspective - watching how the show treated him last season, opened my eyes. Granted this boy is no Taylor, but he deserves a shake - a chance to go further. The further up the ladder he gets the better for him. He has a lovely natural voice. Regarding your comments on talent, yes Taylor has talent that is a given, but so does this boy. Just different. I'm so glad you took the time to comment.
Woody, sweetheart. Yes he does, the judging panel put him there - but thanks.
9 - Jewels
Michelle, I wanted to address you personally and independently of my previous post because you seem much like myself, vested in this kid just for the sake of what he can be. In the beginning after his first audition all the initial fans lined up and he was amassing some serious hits on his fan boards, I watch this kind of thing every year. Anyway, when he faltered which I thought was going to come, inevitable that is was going to happen; he is now seeing a resurgence. I'm pleased about that.
10 - Mikey
Do a little research. Howard Stern is a huge fan of American Idol. The reason he is voting for Sanjaya is because Stern feels that he is so terrible, it'd be funny if he wins.
Research, my friend. If you want to pretend to be a journalist at least get that part right.
11 - Reynolds Jones
Thank you very much for the kind words for Sanjaya. I think the boy easily displays the second most talent in the group on American Idol - he is however young, gentle, and not natural born American, which no doubt puts some people in a tizzie. I sincerely hope that he makes the top 10 and tours, we would like to see him perform live.
Thank you again,
Regards,
Reyn
12 - Grandpa Idol
Watch the race baiting Reynolds. My guess is that Sanjaya is as American as you and I but that nothing to do with his vocal ability. There was a contestant, Camile Velasco, in Season 3 who hung on way to long and reminds me of Sanjaya. There are contestants who can sing and there are those who can make a living from singing. Sanjaya is an example of the former and Melinda Doolittle is an example of the latter.
13 - Jewels
Mikey, with Stern it is a love/hate relationship. I wrote, "hate" because it goes with Stern's schtick. Thank you for sharing your insight, since you're obviously so tight with your pal, Howie. My research stems from what I've read regarding his comments on air and in the press, sadly I have yet to talk to the King of all Media in person. Besides I have trouble picturing Howie in the Idol audience crying like David Hasselhoff.
Sanjaya has a way with keeping folks talking, and so you are back, Grandpa. Can't help yourself can you? Watch, Tuesday night your fingers are going to be punching Sanjaya's numbers independently, on their own, against their will... ;) It's all going to be a subliminal plant. In your mind will revolve the mantra, "I think I can".
14 - Ted
Regarding Sanjaya, I think that some people are confusing potential with talent. His current level of performance is outclassed by the others. Since his original audition (pre-Hollywood), he has not shown a high caliber of talent on-stage. He has poor choice in songs, he does not have a lot of variety in his voice or style and he does not have much stage presence. His voice is good in quality, but he doesn't do much with it. Given several years of working with voice teachers and letting his body grow and mature would help a lot. I think that given 4-5 years when he would still be eligible for AI, he could be a truly great competitor and performer, but let's face it, he really does look like a high school performer rather than a professional performer. He has a good tool (voice) to work with, but he'll have to put in the work before he's truly ready for prime time. And he really should get knocked out this week. He's not even ready for the Idol Tour.
15 - Kaonashi
To compare Sanjaya to Taylor is silly. Taylor actually has talent, experience, and maturity. Taylor had been performing for ages before Sanjaya was in high school.
I know that many Taylor fans like to see Taylor as this underdog who was contstantly picked on by Simon but overcame all obstacles, but I never saw him that way. He was always liked by the audience, not to mention that his performances were actually good.
Sanjaya on the other hand, has not had a single good performance since his initial audition. That was it. Everything else he's done so far is just disappointing. Not even Paula can think of something nice to say to him. That's how surprised and disappointed the judges are in Sanjaya. He's just that bad.
Forget comparing Sanjaya to Taylor. That's like comparing apples to dump trucks. Compare him to the other unprepared, inexperienced teenagers in seasons' past, like Camille Velasco (as Grandpa Idol pointed out), Kevin Covais, or John Stevens.
16 - Jewels
Kaonashi, apparently you missed the comparisons. I am in no way comparing this boy with Taylor Hicks regarding talent and I stress that in the article.
My only comparisons are the way in which the two contestants whom I say are VASTLY different are/have been brutally criticized. I do not say at any point in the article that Taylor and Sanjaya's talents are to be compared that is conjecture taken upon folks who are not reading my words. Last season people (and still do) fell upon Taylor like wild beasts ripping him apart for his weight, hair, everything but what mattered. This year the same with this kid. Difference being this child does not have the experience that Tay had, and so we see his problems within this competition.
I bring up Hicks because during last season's show he was relentlessly castigated and put down, constantly beaten up and now the vultures have fallen on Sanjaya. Hell the judges let the kid on the show so they reap what they sow. If they are unhappy, why is he not getting the coaching, etc. that this show once touted as supplying the contestants? Now a days, the contestants are expected to go on and be completely ready to cut a platinum CD.
Really looking at the picture of the Golden book featured do you not get the real gist of this article? Apparently you don't. The wind went through your hair and the hair of many others. Drop off you freaking high horse - it may surprise you that you do not know everything. The article, since you will need clarification, is not a focus on whom about who is the most talented on this stupid reality farce of a show, it is about dreams.
17 - Grandpa Idol
Dreams are a fine aspiration for all the youngsters out there but this is a show about the best "singing" talent and the one that has the stuff to make it in the big top. Maybe if Sanjaya goes out to pasture for a while as Ted suggested and then make a return to AI he may very well be successful. Right now he is being slowly consumed by the heat of the competition and will not prevail. One thing working against Sanjaya is his grasp of what it takes to survive in the real world. In an earlier interview he made the statement that he had just received his GED and never had to go to school again. That's not exactly what I would call aspirations of a goal oriented individual. If he's banking on a singing career getting him through then he may be in for a surprise and should probably start focusing on his burger flipping skills in the near term.
18 - Kaonashi
Jewels- Just where exactly are these supposed multitudes of people who were mercilessly criticizing Taylor last year? If I recall, the crowds cheered every time he was on stage. He was clearly a crowd favorite. The judges loved him as well. Fine, Simon would occasionally make fun of his dancing or his clothes, but it's not like he was ever attacked for his singing skills.
I've mentioned this somewhere else, but you Sanjaya lovers shouldn't have to worry about a thing. John Stevens beat Jennifer Hudson, because that made perfect sense. I won't be a bit surprised then if Sanjaya takes down someone like Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, or even Melinda Doolittle. After all, it's about dreams, right? It's not about who the better singer is. It's not like it's a competition or anything.
19 - sandy
What are you people talking about? Taylor had alot of votes last year. He was never like Sanjaya. Simon was the only one that didn't like Taylor. Now Chicken Little is more comparable to Sanjaya. You people are alittle nuts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 - Jewels
Sandy I am not comparing Taylor's talent only the bashing. Have you forgotten, as Kaonoshi has how he was called spaztic, fat, old, fugly, this list goes on and was completely not deserved.
You guys read, and see Taylor Hicks.....Sanjaya that's it. Sad really.
And Kaonisha, Kaonishi whatever, I do not say I'm a Sanjaya lover, really I thought you smarter than your commentary.
21 - Jewels
My boy gave a damn freaking good performance tonight. I'm proud of him.
22 - Jewels
Go !!!! Sanjaya!!! call me silly.
23 - Grandpa Idol
Wow, Sanjaya is alive!!! Unfortunately he still can't sing but will probably be employed at least through the summer as he will sadly make it to the tour.
24 - Grandpa Idol
I almost forgot, you're silly!!!
25 - Jewels
Grandpa darling. Yeah my boy should make the tour. Beauty tonight - how Slimon was completely cast silent. His nutsack drew all up thinking of my Sanjaya winning this show. I was impressed, humbled, and throughly thrilled by Sanjaya tonight. He showed more Balls than anyone else on this show in - well - ever.