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RSS FeedAmerican Idol scandals: Is prejudice a factor in who gets the boot?
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| No | 39% | 33 votes | Total: 85 votes | |
| Yes | 61% | 52 votes |
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Add to FavoritesFor starters, what type of prejudice are we talking about? Prejudice against "ugly"/overweight people or racism? Or both? And is it prejudice on the part of the judges, the show as a whole or the viewing public?
Although one may argue that the judges do make a disproportionate number of comments regarding the attractiveness of certain contestants, the fact remains that, once the initial auditions are complete, it is the public who "decides" which contestant will "get the boot", not the judges.
Studies have shown (*) that babies as young as two months old show a preference for attractive faces. Certainly a contestant who is widely considered to be attractive by the countless millions of people who cast their votes each week might have a leg-up on the competition but, looking at mainstream media, is that not generally the case anyway? Whether Paula says someone has a pretty face or not,(and doesn't she say that about pretty much everyone?)the "pretty" contestant probably would have got the votes regardless.
As far as prejudice against overweight contestants, Reuben Studdard, the winner of season two, was not at all slim; Taylor Hicks, the winner of season five, while perhaps not "fat", wasn't exactly a hard-bodied hunk, and Jordin Sparks, season six's Idol, would also have been considered "plus size" by some. Certainly, some overweight contestants have been voted off early in their respective seasons, but plenty of them have obviously done quite well in the competition.
I would also question racial prejudice when looking at past winners. Of the six completed seasons, three of the winners have been Caucasian and three have not. One could hardly ask for a more balanced result. Were the show/the judges/the public making their decisions strictly along racial lines, how could Reuben, Fantasia and Jordin have won?
I'm sure there are countless factors that come in to play in an individual voter's decision to choose one contestant over another and, as a cross-section of America, I'm sure prejudice of all forms may be a factor. But a large enough factor to determine the end result? Is that much of the public voting based solely on the above prejudices? The final results would lead me to believe otherwise.
* reference: http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1 200/is_v131/ai_49709 07
Learn more about this author, Heather Lyn.
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Yes
The mere name "American Idol" alone conjures up an image in the viewer's minds; even before they have seen the contestants perform. The term "American anything" tends to make one think of, "Mom and apple pie." Do you remember the term, "As American as apple pie?" Years of conditioning have instilled these images in all of us. We're prejudiced to what our own minds believe an image of something, or someone, should be.
People who vote for the contestants might possibly be voting according to a preconceived image they have, rather than voting for who has the most talent. You might hear comments like, "He or she certainly doesn't look like an American Idol." Great singers are being sent home because they don't look or act the part that the American public has built up in their minds.
Amanda Overmyer, a 23 year old nurse from Indiana, was recently booted off the show. Amanda, who rode a Harley and dressed like a rock and roller, chose her songs to fit her personality. She was often praised by the judges for being true to herself. Unfortunately, her image was compared more to Janis Joplin. Simon Cowell was quoted on Fox News as saying, "Her problem was she just didn't smile." Again, Amanda was not exactly the image of mom and apple pie.
Carly Smithson also stands outside the box, as far as the preconceived image goes. While she has a beautiful voice with a deep Irish tone, she also sports a full arm tattoo that was created at the Tattoo Shop she and her husband own. She also stated in an interview that she works in a bar. How does the American public respond to someone like this? Will they think she fit's the "American Idol" image?
Let's not forget that these contestants are being compared to past American Idols. It must be very intimidating to try to live up to the standards of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Pickle, considering that they have both made a huge success of their careers in Nashville.
Country music is as American and wholesome as it gets for some people. Not many of this season's contestants seem to fit that "country singer" niche.
If you've ever watched the show and heard the young girls scream and cheer, you'll know which of the guys are the favorites. Those screams are for how "cute" they look on stage, not how well they've just preformed. Jason Castro, the 20 year old from Texas, gets his share of screams. He may not be the best singer, but he has a charming grin and "really cool" dreadlocks. David Archuleta, the youngest contestant, has his share of screaming fans as well. At just 17 years old, he appears cute and shy. What young girl wouldn't fall for him?
That brings us to the voting, that is done by texting your choice of who you want to remain on the show. The majority of all cell phone owners and avid texters are young teenage girls. They are also the majority of American Idol viewers. Jason and David will remain, not necessarily for their singing, but because their ever growing fans will continue to text in those votes. Both of these guys can sing, and both have the talent to be on the show, but that is probably not what keeps them there.
Chikezie, who was booted recently, has plenty of talent. He got a lot of praise from the judges. He didn't, unfortunately, have the screaming fan base that Jason and David have. His song choices appealed to an older viewer, who probably enjoyed watching, but doesn't vote. Most older people who watch the show will admit that they don't vote and wouldn't know how to "text" if they wanted to.
The fate of Season 7's contestants remains in the hands of American voters. Looking back to those who have won the past six seasons, and the image of "American Idol" that the voters have established, this season's winner will need to fill those same shoes. We have been prejudiced against accepting anything other than the preconceived image that has been planted.
Learn more about this author, Donna Thacker.
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