Thatcher Planet

I give American Idol a lot of credit for offering us a wide variety in the male singers this year (and actually, over all the years). We get lots of different styles, and a few guys that are not attractive at all. It’s OK for a guy to be fat or short or homely or look like he’s 55 years old. They seem to go out of their way to pick a mish-mosh of guys, and I think that’s great. But why, oh why, can they not even come close to the same philosophy with the girls? This year’s crop in particular, all seem like clones of each other, of earlier seasons, of current popular artist. Even though there are a few girls his year that I can say I like, that I think are talented and entertaining, as a whole, they are drab and predictable. They are either “perky”, “sassy” or “sultry”. No other stereotypes need apply. I cannot believe that in the thousands of people who auditioned, there weren’t at least 50 really unique female singers. But, because they were fat or homely or looked old, they were turned away at the door. They act like letting Mandisa through was a massive risk, but I guarantee that the only reason they let her through was because she reminds them of singers like Aretha Franklin, Patty LaBelle, etc, who are undeniably popular. A big white girl would have never stood a chance. I think American Idol is horribly short-changing us year after year in the female singers, and I wish they would open their minds a bit and let America decide.

Last year, there was an auditioner named Sara Sue Kelly. I still remember her to this day, because she was obviously very talented, intelligent and well-adjusted. But she looked like someone who worked in the back room of the library and she sang a sweet, 1940’s type of ballad. And while the judges approved one bland, blond girl after another, they decided Sara was “not right” for American Idol. I guarantee that the male version of Sara would have made it to the finals. The interesting thing was that LL Cool J was a guest judge at her audition, and he loved her. He even pushed the other judges to let her through, but to no avail. Isn’t it possible that if LL Cool J (of all people) loved her, maybe other people would too? But American Idol couldn’t take the risk that a dumpy white girl might do well and appear on their commercials, even if she sang like an angel. How many Sara Sue Kelly’s did we never even get to see? How many did the judges never even get to see?

Although I place a fair share of the blame on the makers of American Idol, I have to admit that the American public itself probably drives their decisions. I think the Idol competitions in some other countries have been much more open to a variety of women. Look at Michelle McManus, Pop Idol winner from the UK. Simon was her biggest supporter. I don’t think she would have even been given a chance here. And to be fair, American Idol has given us a shot at few different females in the past. We failed to vote through Lisa Leuschner, Charly Lowry or Briana Ramirez-Rial in Season 3, Hadas or Candace Coleman from Season 2, or Aloha Mischeax from Season 4. But we did vote for Vanessa Oliverez, Amy Adams, Camille Velasco and Nadia Turner. We voted Nikki McKibbin and Kimberley Locke into 3rd place finishes. We gave Fantasia a win. And America loves Kelly Clarkson, who doesn’t fit the cutesy pop-star mold at all. I wish the producers would give us a little more credit for wanting something beyond the cookie-cutter female vocalist – we want someone interesting!!

Now that I’m done with my rant, I’m willing to give this year’s girls a chance to impress me, but I still don’t trust that Idol is truly giving us a chance to see and vote for the best singers available.