This may be the last season I tune in to American Idol. Not because I am disgruntled in any way, but the musician in me can’t take much more of it. Apparently America is tone-deaf.
Long before we got to the final three, my friends and I had a “Girls Night Out” at my house where we watched the American Idol auditions. When Melinda Doolittle sang, I turned to Kelli and said “she will make it to the top 10 but she won’t win.” (Do you remember that Kel?). I don’t know if gave any reasons, but my immediate thought was that she has a fabulous voice but America will vote her off because she doesn’t have the “It Factor”. Wednesday night, my prediction came true. If you are not familiar with the “It Factor”, I suggest reading this article submitted to me by Lissa which defines the “It Factor” and explains why “Plain Janes” need not apply in Hollywood.
Let me summarize for those of you that don’t watch AI. Melinda has been a vocal dream since her audition. I don’t think she has yet to crack a note or even sing off pitch. She is an amazing singer. The judges all tell her she is giving a “vocal master class” every time she performs. A “master class” is when the students all gather with the teacher and the cream of the crop perform in front of everyone while the teacher critiques and the students learn from the performance. Being a music major in college I have spent my fair share of time in master classes and believe me, Melinda is a vocal master.
One important fact outside of how the musician sounds is stage presence. Melinda has that nailed, too. Her heart shows when she sings – that’s what is supposed to happen. It’s not about whether you got the audience to stand up and clap or whether you danced well or how you dressed. Stage presence is about your connection with the music. If you connect with the music, your audience will see that and then they will connect with you. Focus on the music and the rest will come. It really is that simple.
So why did America vote Melinda off?
Simple – it’s the “It Factor”. Melinda doesn’t look like the standard that Hollywood tells us we must live up to in order to be accepted. Melinda is not the least bit ugly – she has features that are different. Age is also a bit of a factor here. Most of the people who actually pick up their phone and vote for American Idols are teens. They will naturally vote for someone who identifies with their culture – thus the reason that Blake and Jordin are now the only two left on the show (and why Sanjaya lasted so long).
The musician in me could care less what these folks look like. I buy their music because they SOUND good. Honestly, if Blake, Jordin and Melinda all had an album out of their American Idol performances and I had to choose one of their CDs to take with me to a remote island where I had to listen to it over and over again, I’d choose Melinda – hands down. Not that Jordin and Blake are bad singers – they just aren’t consistently good singers. They have had good moments and – well – not so good moments. Melinda was consistent in her performance quality every single time.
So now that it’s between Jordin and Blake – who do I think will win? Hmm… I have been a big Blake fan because the drummer in me likes his beat-boxing vocal style. However, if we take “It Factor” into consideration… Jordin has it. So let it be said right here and now in digital ink that I think Jordin Sparks will be the next American Idol.
If only American Idol was a Radio Competition, then maybe America would vote with their ears instead of their eyes. Wishful thinking, I suppose.
9 comments
Louise7
Melinda Doolittle album Melinda Doolittle album
This past week Melinda finally finished the vocals on her CD! All of that happens quickly then we will see her CD on shelves this Fall! Also, keep your eye out for her first official single that should be hitting airwaves in the coming weeks. Melinda is going to be throwing a lot of music at us in the coming months so get ready!
New website to support Melinda Career. http://www.mdstreetteam.com come join us and get to the forum to read what Melinda have to say. She is a amazing singer.
gretchen
Cool! Thanks for the update. :)
Louise7
Melinda Doolittle will released her first album in fall she working right now on Holiday CD. I am one backups an fan of her. http://www.mdstreetteam.com new website to support Melinda’s career you very welcome to join us.
Louise7
Melinda Didn’t win but she was the best vocal that season. Melinda did appear most of the time in 2008. Malaria no more, Dreyer’s ice cream tour. She did alot events. Now the great news is she will released her first album at the end of the summer and also she talk about one for the Holiday. We have a new website to support her in her career http://www.mdstreetteam.com You are very welcome to join us.
Andrew Darlow
My wife and I really enjoy watching Idol. I think Melinda was voted off because she repeated a song from an earlier show. This has been done by others in the past, but I personally found that a bit disappointing and in my opinion, that’s what caused her to be voted off. Top three is still a great achievement, and she might just have the biggest career of any idol. I’m sure she’ll do far better than she would have as a backup singer and I give anyone a lot of credit for going after their dream like that.
Kel1
I really liked what I heard of Melinda (as you know, G, I don’t really watch the show, but I’ve seen some clips here and there). I also liked Gina very much. Blake, frankly, only impressed me a teensy bit because of his ability to take an old song and “tweak” it and make it fresh, which in itself is a great quality, but…his vocals leave much to be desired compared to someone of Melinda’s caliber.
Jordin Sparks is basically a young Beyonce, in my opinion. She’s talented, but overrated because of her look. I have to say, though…she has better stage presence than Beyonce! :))
And I actually LIKED Taylor Hicks and still do…because he is different, and frankly, I think the guy can sing. :) Saw him on Leno the other night and he did a wonderful job. He’s got a great voice. Maybe doesn’t have that “It” factor, but at least he was a memorable contestant. :P
I wouldn’t be surprised if Blake were the next AI, because his beatboxing and unusual take is his “trademark” on the show. I’ll be interested to see who makes it.
Lissa Weeks
I agree, I think Jordin will be the winner. It will be interesting to see how they transform the winner.
gretchen
Well – I would have taken Katherine McPhee over Taylor Hicks. Taylor wasn’t bad, he just didn’t do it for me. :-??
Blake is kind of Club-like, isn’t he? Yeah, I don’t see him selling a lot of mainstream records. Jordin is the best bet right now.
Lissa
Yes, yes. I was in shock when Melinda got the boot. But I knew it was coming. Jordin is from my state and Arizona does have Jordin fever. I have been undecided about her (and actually I really liked Gina, the rocker with the heart), I don’t see Jordin being another Carrie Underwood, and on the same note I think that Blake is too Club-by. By that I mean, it would be great to dance too, but will he sell millions of albums? Probably not. I was happy when Taylor Hicks won last year, because he did not fit the mold. So why could Melinda not fit the mold this year?