AI Winners/Contestants - honest opinions wanted!

[mememe]

I read an interesting post in the music news forum and I thought it would be a good topic for this forum. This person basically stated that they watched the show and admitted that some had talent, but that they would never support them because of the huge advantage they have because if the AI hype. They claimed it caused the industry to become an uneven playing field. This question is for the naysayers of American Idol:

Do you feel that any of them have or can win your respect? Or will they forever be pushed aside by you because of the way they came into the business?

If they have won or you believe they can win your respect - what is it exactly they have or would have to do to prove to you that they are worthy of your support? Is it the music? Is it their work ethic? Is it their artistry? Is it their voice?

If they have no shot at winning you over, why? Do you feel they have no talent? Do you simply hate the American Idol machine? Do you think they are manufactured? Do you think they are not worthy because of how they were discovered?

My view on the subject: I think that AI in some ways does give these kids a head start/advantage, but I also believe that AI also gives them different challenges that other artists may not face. They have a huge stigma attached to them because of the show and I believe they have to fight hard to shake it. Sure, I think having the audience and built in fanbase before a cd even comes out, may outweigh the negatives in the beginning, but over the longterm I wonder if the stigma may make it harder for most of them to obtain any kind of longevity. They have to prove themselves to be worthy of they hype and that can be a very daunting challenge. One I feel many may not be up to.

I also believe that American Idol has produced many talented artists. Some of whom have taken the chance that American Idol gave them and ran with it. For them, American Idol is the way they got their feet in the door (something that may have never happened for many of them because of the way the industry worked pre- AI) and have run with it. They worked hard and made a career for themselves (Kelly, Carrie and Fantasia in particularly). They have won over their peers and have gained respect within their respective genres - not an easy thing to do considering where they came from. So why should anyone begrudge them because of where they got their start? If they put out good music, connect with their fans and can actually sing - why shouldn't they have successful careers? In my opinion, it is what they do with the opportunity that dictates whether or not they will garner my support.

I have rambled enough (sorry). I truly am interested in hearing the opinions of people who disagree with me. Please do not make this into a fight.  I think it could be a very interesting debate.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

For me, it's probably not necessarily HOW they get in to the industry. They grab hold of an opportunity and if they win, they've held on until they got in and I admit, if given the chance, I'd probably do it too.
My issue with it is the lack artistic vision with these singers. For example, their first single is always a song that is picked for the winner, not necessarily for the individual person that won. It's always a generic song about triumph and flying and all that. The winners basically signed themselves over for however long it is to sing a bunch of dumb songs that they are told to sing. I don't like manufactured singers in music. Why else do these AI people have to do this except for the sole purpose of making money. To me, AI is a reason why music today is as bad as it is. Because it was thought of just as a way to make money and gain fame and the result is a gauranteed #1 single in sales for the winner, regardless of how crappy the song is. It's an interesting concept, I'll admit but I still don't like it.
Now I'll add that I do like Kelly Clarkson. She was able to break out from the AI stigma enough. She had a bigger hand in her second album and was able to stand apart from where she got her start. I respect her enough and I own her CD.
So I guess for me, it's just not the singers themselves but what it is they have to do. It's the American Idol name and title that turns me off from them.

[mememe]

Thanks for the honest response imax. I can definately see where you are coming from, though I do disagree to some extent. Yes, American Idol does make them record some CRAPPY music and yes they do it to capitalize on the show and make money. But to me that is just something they have to do to get to do what they want to do. Hell even Christina said that she had to record her first cd and it didn't represent who she was (and no I am not saying it was the same poor quality of the AI singles, it was actually quite good) before she was able to record what she wanted. It is the way of the business. They package and manufacture so many artists, we just don't get to see them before they have been packaged.

I would also argue that American Idol is not the reason that music is as bad as it is. It is not responsible for the likes of The Paris Hiltons, Lindsey Lohans and Hilary Duffs of the world. I will admit that some of the AI kids have put out real stinkers (won't name names) but the show has also provided some great cds and artists. (Kelly, Carrie and Fantasia to name a few). And even for the ones I don't like, at least they can sing, which can't be said of some of the popular artists out there today. lol

I do agree with you in that each one of the AI artists need to prove themselves to the general public (like Kelly has in many cases). They need to fight to share their vision of music and they need to deliver great cds. After the first souvenier cd, they have to show that they can last. And that is a challenge that will be interesting to follow with the upcoming sophomore projects.

Anyway, thanks for responding. While I may disagree slightly, I am really interested to read why people feel like they do.

[Pink Champagne Ricochet]

I would also argue that American Idol is not the reason that music is as bad as it is. It is not responsible for the likes of The Paris Hiltons, Lindsey Lohans and Hilary Duffs of the world.

exactly. AI isn't responsible for the talentless people that come through the industry. they've been there before the show came on. if the show actually had that much of an effect, I would have thought record labels would be more adamant about singing pop stars that can actually SING as opposed to lipsynching fakes, which IMO would be a positive impact. but that hasn't happened.

[banet2001]

mememe said:

I would also argue that American Idol is not the reason that music is as bad as it is. It is not responsible for the likes of The Paris Hiltons, Lindsey Lohans and Hilary Duffs of the world.

I do agree with you there. AI is not solely responsible for the no talent manufactured artists in today's music. But it is a symptom of a larger problem. It seems like a lot of record labels are not looking at an artist’s talent, ability, creativity and musicianship but marketability. If a young singer has the right look, the record label hooks him or her up with a professional writing team, a professional production team, and studio musicians to craft mediocre and generic songs that sound like dozens of songs already on the radio. Great music and creativity is stifled in a marketplace of mediocrity and homogeneity.

Ugh, I cringe every time I hear news about former AI contestants like Chris Daughtry or Bo Bice getting hooked up with professional writers and producers to put together their albums. Please, come up with your own material and don't rely on hack songwriters. One of the reasons many AI contestants could not make it in the music industry was because they could not write decent material. Sure, many of them can sing pretty well and are decent live performers, but there are hundreds, if not thousands out there who are just as good. What makes an artist stand out is the creativity, originality, songwriting and musicianship of the artist. AI certainly does not emphasize creativity or originality. If you win, you get that taken care of for you.

[polly]

Who cares about American Idol. Other than a couple opf the contestants, most people forget about the others once the show is done.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Well, I'm not saying AI is the only reason why music is as bad as it is. (mainstream music, that is). But it adds to it and, with all the related shows that have competitions and then a resulting act is produced (danity cane?!), it's all the same thing.

And the Christina example leads me to express my opinion on that. I understand that a lot of artists today, even ones that I love, have to conform to certain rules for their first album in order to get success. I understand that success comes at a price and that sometimes an artist has to forfit some artistic freedom to even get an album out there and a lot of times an artist releasing an album depends on the success of the one before that. It's unfortunate that the music business has even gotten to this point but I also understand that in the end, musicians have to make money too. I just don't agree with money being the #1 reason why some singers are in the business (or even producers or anyone, for that matter). It should be about the art and the creativity first and most importantly. I can enjoy a song by a money-crazed-record-exec and his newest girlie but that doesn't mean I can enjoy where it came from and be against its production. The music biz is in a sad state now and it's sad that the best artists are the ones that will never get heard to a major extent... but maybe that's a good thing? Art suffers when major money becomes involved.

[JamaicaFunk²]

i think Idol is a semi-easy route to stardom if you've got talent. however, i think being on American Idol puts you through quite the test of stamina and talent.
i dont think Idol is the easy way in to the music industry.
these contestants are scrutinized way more than your average artist.
and they basically sign their life away to Idol anyways. so i think it's rougher than it seems.

[juhn]

I don't care who's singing the song as long as it sounds good. The problem is, many of the AI singles suck.

And it can be a manufactured pop song by an artist with no creative vision whatsoever, as long as I like the song.