American Idol's Past Holds Key to Contestant's Future
Another year, another American Idol competition. For contestants, it's a chance to capture the attention of the American public and hopefully be the last performer standing. Even a second place finish can make a career, as evidenced by season two winner Clay Aikens moderate success. Still, where do the remaining contestants end up in their quest for fame and fortune? To answer that question, one need only look to past contestants to get an accurate idea of what the future holds.
Without question, participating is more of a positive than not, and I would suspect that many past contestants are grateful for their 15 minutes. Additionally, some former contestants who didn't place in the top two spots have been able to establish themselves. Take the 2004 seasons sixth runner up, Jennifer Houston, who recently won Golden Globe and a SAG award for her performance as Effe in the motion picture Dreamgirls.
On the whole however, those who have finished third or beyond traditionally haven't fared well. Who among us can name even last seasons top twelve, much less the top twelve from seasons past? The truth, it seems, is that American Idol has a lot in common with American sports. Most avid football fans could tell you the last five Superbowl winners, but could they name the losers? Probably not. Unlike football, however, the performers who didn't make the top two rarely merit our continued attention because they are often never heard from again. At least your favorite team gets to try again next season
Even winning or being first runner up on American Idol is no guarantee of a successful career. Aside from Kelly Clarkson, no other past Idol contestants have been able to parlay their experience into a career with real staying power. Yes, Clay Aikens, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks have all released material that has received radio airplay, but who among us would really consider them recording stars in the truest sense of the word?
Part of the blame lies with Idols greediness. It's not enough for them to make millions off the television rights. They also control their artists careers by writing and producing their material, often to their detriment. The music industry has changed significantly over the last two decades, and while American audiences certainly enjoy the bubblegum laced carnage of watching Simon Cowell pan performances, we are not so easily amused when it comes to manufactured pop.
Just ask Justin Guarini
Related Tags: american idol
You can read more about Clay Aiken http://www.yuddy.com/articles/music/clay-aiken.html
Carrie Underwood http://www.yuddy.com/articles/music/carrie-underwood.html
To read more about other Idol stars see our site Yuddy.com http://www.yuddy.com
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