I've been writing about American Idol for the last four years now. And this season, I find myself in a different place than before. I've always begun my coverage a few weeks into the season, once it's reached the audience voting stage.
This time around, I'm starting from the get-go. Here's my plan. For the next couple of weeks, instead of giving you my blow-by-blow of each show, you'll have one article on various aspects of A.I. and one on the contestants in that week's auditions who I feel warrants a second look.
My first piece, for example, was about how the show has grown as a showcase for marketing already established artists. Now, I'll go through and talk about those that caught my eye during the Minneapolis and Seattle auditions. Granted, at this time, it's still anyone's game to win. But it should be interesting to see how some of these out-the-gate-early players fare in the long run.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Denise Jackson, 16 years old, Wisconsin. She's got the whole package going on for her. Her background as a "crack baby" is newsworthy as is her attitude that she is both lucky and blessed. She has a panache that belies her tender age and a raw potential to go along with it.
Perla Meneses, 25, Florida. Another newsworthy story, Perla calls herself a survivor, not a victim, of a hard life in Columbia, South America. Although she almost blew it with her first song, Randy asked her to do another, one more suited to her personal style. The judges then gave her a thumbs up and so did I.
Jarrod Fowler, 27, Arizona. At first sight, I knew that Jarrod would have to have some pipes on him. He attended the audition in his U.S. Navy dress whites, signifying his current military status, stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. There is no way the higher-ups in the Navy could sanction one of its members appearing on the show if he or she didn't perform well.
Sarah Krueger, 19, Wisconsin. Auditioning with a song that was a signature piece for one of last year's top Idol contestants ("Over The Rainbow") takes some nerve. Sarah served the song well, showing very strong vocal control.
Those are the only ones from that audition that got my stamp of approval.
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Article comments
1 - Carol Davis
Attacking someones singing is one thing but making fun of someones weight, height, or physical appearance is an all time low. It isn't funny, and you should be ashamed of yourself to stoop to that low. Obviously you picked the most vulnerable, that were not able to stick up for themselves. I guess you would think it ok to kick someone in a wheelchair, and run. You are all pathetic, and I am sorry that money means that much to you, because you do not have enough to buy class!
2 - tink
Carol, I agree with you that it is not kind to harrass others different than ourselves. However, I must say that I'm confused that, after reading my article, that you felt that I was being mean spirited.
Perhaps you have confused my piece with another you read elsewhere?
3 - Kaonashi
It seems that Carol thought that you work for American Idol because you wrote about it. It happens often to people who run American Idol fan blogs. It's pathetic, really.
4 - tink
Thanks K for your input.
I must say that I've been puzzling over that first comment ever since it appeared!!