How Did Things Get So Ugly?

Last week, I said that I wasn’t updating my blog as much because I’ve gotten lazy. And laziness definitely has something to do with it. But honestly, I think there is something else at work here.

Usually in the weeks following the finale, all of the news is about show appearances, the tour, and record deals. But last week’s news was all about accusations of vote tampering by corporate sponsors, speculation about sexuality and theories about Christians forming voting blocks.

It’s all gotten so ugly, and quite frankly, I just wasn’t very eager to wade into it.
But, you guys read this blog to get my opinion on all things “Idol” and so that’s what I’m going to do—give my opinions. And you all know that I never discuss religion or sexuality in my blog, but in this one I’m actually going to do both. So if you don’t want to get involved in such a discussion, I suggest you stop reading now…

First, let me address the AT&T controversy. What started out as a simple story in an Arkansas newspaper turned into a huge brew-ha-ha when the “New York Times” got a hold of it. A couple of AT&T employees showed up at Kris Allen parties in Arkansas and brought demo phones with them. They showed the fans how to send multiple texts at once.

So, of course, the Adam Lambert fans cried foul, especially after Billy Bush of “Access Hollywood” reported that his sources told him the margin of votes between Kris and Adam was not close at all. The story dominated both Kris and Adam’s interviews and FOX was forced to release a statement that Kris is “without a doubt” our American Idol.

I have to say that I don’t believe there is anything sinister going on here. These were local employees, not AT&T corporate hotshots. Of course they’re going to support their local boy. And this information that they relayed at these parties is available all over the Internet, so I’m sure that some Adam Lambert fans used it as well.

Let me also once again remind everyone that we have no idea who was in the lead before the final week. For all we know, it could have been Kris. It was the media that declared Adam the front-runner, not the vote total…

A much more likely theory being floated around by Lambert fans—and Danny Gokey himself—is what people are calling the Gokey factor. If I am being completely honest, I have to say that yes, I think the Danny Gokey fans made a difference. I warned you that they could in my “H-D” column. What bothers me is why they made that difference.

Because I think we all know it wasn’t because they wanted Kris to win. It was because they didn’t want Adam to win. And the reality is that religion probably did play a role here. I do believe that “Idol” is, as the Gospel Music Channel documentary called it, the most Christian-friendly show in primetime. How would that be affected if someone like Adam won the title?

Which leads me to the final topic of this post…

Last week, the Internet lit up with Clay Aiken’s comments about Adam. Clay said that when he heard Adam sing “Ring of Fire” he thought his “ears would bleed.” He later apologized for his comments.

And he apologized, why? How was Clay offering his opinion on his blog—as many former Idols do on their blogs—any different than what I do on this one? You may recall I also didn’t like that performance when I first heard it. Clay went on to say—which the Internet didn’t pick up—that Kris won because the audience was sending a message to the show. Isn’t that exactly what I said?

The difference here I believe is that Clay is gay. And he was badmouthing a performer that is most likely gay. So that made it a story. And that my friends, is just completely messed up…

So let me do what I swore I would not do, and address Adam Lambert’s sexuality in this blog with two words…

WHO CARES!

I don’t care what Adam’s sexuality is. I don’t care that he’s probably going to come out on the cover of “Rolling Stone.” I DON’T CARE!!!

Adam has never denied who he is. It’s the media that have been completely obsessed about it. And I believe that the out-of-control speculation helped cost Adam the “Idol” title…

I think everyone should take a lesson from Kris Allen. This quiet former missionary has become very good friends with a guy that is very different from him. If he can embrace Adam and his differences, why can’t everyone else?

My biggest question is how did a singing competition become about religion and sexuality? How did such a fun little show like “American Idol” get so ugly?

And now that I’ve gotten all of that off of my chest, I will now return you to my normal blog…

LaKisha Jones CD Review: Fans Will Like It, But...

As I’ve already told you, LaKisha Jones’ first CD, “So Glad I’m Me,” hit stores May 19th. But you’ve probably been wondering why I haven’t done a review of the CD. After all, I’ve had it since before it hit stores.

But every time I sat down to write it, LaKisha’s smiling face on the CD cover stopped me in my tracks.

You see, I didn’t like it. And LaKisha is such a sweetheart, I just couldn’t bring myself to say it. But I believe you guys take the time out of your day to read this blog to get my honest opinions, not for me to mince words to be nice to someone who was nice to me.

And in all honesty, the CD starts out fine and continues that momentum through the entire first half. But the second half sounds a little too much like the first and things turn a tad bit boring…

And then there’s the fact that the CD is all over the place. It feels like LaKisha is just trying to stuff in as many genres as she can as she switches from contemporary Christian to R&B and back. When LaKisha told me that the CD was “little chapters” in the story of her life, that helped it make a little more sense to me. But I think LaKisha would be much better served sticking to one genre.

Personally, I would make that genre contemporary Christian since those songs are the best on the CD…

LaKisha does sound great, though, so if you’re a fan you’ll still enjoy it. But I think even fans will feel like more could have been done to showcase LaKisha’s talent.

“So Glad I’m Me” is available now…

Jordin Gets Set to Do Battle In The Stores

Jordin Sparks’ new CD, “Battlefield,” will hit stores July 21st…

The heavy hitters helping her out on her sophomore CD include Ryan Tedder (who co-wrote the title track), T-Pain, Dr. Luke, and Stargate.

Jordin will head out on the road with the Jonas Brothers later this month…

Photo Credit: Randee St. Nicholas/Jive Records

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