Siobhan Magnus was sent home on American idol narrowing the field to 5 contestants, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this is the end of the line for the 20 year old from Barnstable, Massachusetts. At this point Siobhan has a few options to play. She can always go home and resume her old job where she was an apprentice glassblower assuming Group 19 will allow it, or she can explore a few options to further her singing career.
The odds are Magnus will return to her home, but likely only for a brief time to recharge her batteries. Although she was voted off, she was hardly the worst performer of the week, and it was fairly easy to see that nearly everyone involved in the production of the show would have preferred that call in voters went in a different direction. All the judges loved her performance of Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine” , and Ryan Seacrest had nothing but praise for the young lady as she exited the show. Granted, it is his job to keep things positive, but this time his efforts didn’t appear the least bit forced.
Recording contracts are hardly a guarantee for any contestant that doesn’t make the top 5 on American Idol. Winners have plenty of promises in place to vault their careers, and even the runner-up has a certain set of guarantees in place, after that however things are a bit more wide open. It is the good luck of Magnus to have made the top 10 and an estimated $100,000 total payout and probable slot on the American Idol tour.
The upside is Magnus did likely exceed her annual income already on appearance fees, and being a favorite of the judges - especially Simon Cowell who has the final word on nearly everything except the fan vote, it is rumored that Magnus is going to have a shot at going on the Idol tour and a recording contract via Cowell’s 19 Group. She has to hope for that as least as all Idol finalists are tied into Group 19 whether they like it or not, and as stated, Cowell is the final word on search matters. There is always the long shot that Cowell can release her from the group 19 deal, but thus far that has not happened prior to it's natural expiry date for any performer.
On the downside of it all - depending on how a person views it - Magnus is now bound to a rather restrictive contract that is going to pay her very little for her appearances in comparison to industry standards. That is something the lid was blown off of when Kelly Clarkson who was skyrocketing to the top of the industry had to appear on “World Idol” for a total of $1,400, and had no opt out ability. She will be told when she tours, where she tours, and even what she performs if she is taken on tour which is a near certainty.
Loss can be a tough thing, but Siobhan Magnus should have the opportunity to realize her dreams of singing still and make her mark. Either way, Magnus has commented she is glad she had the opportunity to appear on the show and whatever comes next she will make the most of it. With a good positive attitude and talent she should go far.