Americans chose the wrong 'Idol'
Zara Husaini
Issue date: 5/29/09 Section: Ed-Op
This show dubs its winner the "idol" of our country, so we're more inclined to select the person with whom we can relate; oftentimes, this is the underdog, or the "dark horse." Need proof? Two words: Susan Boyle. The frumpy contestant on the British version of the show earned instant fame and world renown. Like Allen, she's undeniably talented. But the two share something even more powerful: the ability to lower the expectations of their audience and by doing so, rising to the top. All Kris Allen had to do was slow down a popular song and add his acoustic flair to it to elicit cries of "originality" and "artistry" from judges and viewers alike. Lambert, on the other, could resurrect songs from other times, add his own gender-bending, tempo-altering, high energy performance label to it, and still only be praised for the impeccable vocals.
The speculation about Lambert's personal life probably didn't help the situation either. No matter how many times the phrase "Adam Lambert will be America's first gay idol" was uttered, it couldn't change the fact that we just don't seem to be ready for a polarizing, tight-lipped yet unambiguous gay man with a penchant for cross-dressing to represent the talent of our nation.
Perhaps Lambert was the one who best explained the musical landscape of America while explaining his future plans.
He said: "My view of the record industry is it's a little too specific lately. The labels tend to try to put one box around every artist and keep them in one genre, and to me, we don't have to go about it that way."
Of course, the view presented here is just an opinion, but it's a blunt one: America chose the wrong winner in this vote, and for all the wrong reasons.
Zara Husaini is a junior majoring in communication. She can be reached at op-ed@thetriangle.org.
The speculation about Lambert's personal life probably didn't help the situation either. No matter how many times the phrase "Adam Lambert will be America's first gay idol" was uttered, it couldn't change the fact that we just don't seem to be ready for a polarizing, tight-lipped yet unambiguous gay man with a penchant for cross-dressing to represent the talent of our nation.
Perhaps Lambert was the one who best explained the musical landscape of America while explaining his future plans.
He said: "My view of the record industry is it's a little too specific lately. The labels tend to try to put one box around every artist and keep them in one genre, and to me, we don't have to go about it that way."
Of course, the view presented here is just an opinion, but it's a blunt one: America chose the wrong winner in this vote, and for all the wrong reasons.
Zara Husaini is a junior majoring in communication. She can be reached at op-ed@thetriangle.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Susan L
posted 5/29/09 @ 8:14 AM EST
Zara,
I think your piece is one of the best pieces of analysis on this subject I have seen (and I am one of the many who are reading ALOT on the subject this week!). (Continued…)
Linda
posted 5/29/09 @ 8:22 AM EST
Thanks for a great article. I completely agree with you. America did choose the wrong winner and just proves the fact that America is not as progressive as they think they are. (Continued…)
leigh
posted 5/29/09 @ 8:24 AM EST
Definitely agree the wrong winner was chosen. When it comes to talent, Adam and Kris are oceans apart. Kris is sweet and has a pleasant voice while Adam explodes on the stage and his charisma, voice and star quality. (Continued…)
tw123
posted 5/29/09 @ 9:45 AM EST
I really liked your article and couldn't agree with you more. We, Americans, chose a wrong idol for all the wrong reasons. To me, AI is not just another reality show; it represents our culture in many ways, which is exactly why it made me worried when its outcome was wrong and all for the wrong reasons. (Continued…)
Coral
posted 5/29/09 @ 9:50 AM EST
For a "junior majoring in communication" Zara has written the most sensible and erudite analysis of "Idol-ness".
Adam's talent is so enormous it is confronting. (Continued…)
tw123
twsprt
posted 5/29/09 @ 9:53 AM EST
I really liked your article and couldn't agree with you more. We, Americans, chose a wrong idol for all the wrong reasons. To me, AI is not just another reality show; it represents our culture in many ways, which is exactly why it made me worried when its outcome was wrong and all for the wrong reasons. (Continued…)
AdamFan
posted 5/29/09 @ 12:41 PM EST
I agree 100% with your assessment that "America" chose the wrong Idol, for all the wrong reasons. I'm really curious how the results would have been different if they had gone to a one phone line, one vote model. (Continued…)
Dyg
posted 5/29/09 @ 1:28 PM EST
The AI is Kris Allen, but Adam is the International Idol. Adam is now a STAR in all countries of the world as we can see on the different pages created by his fans, and also on the official page: http://www. (Continued…)
Lubna Hassan
posted 5/31/09 @ 11:27 AM EST
Great Analysis Zara. I think you're absolutely right when you say shows like this dont only speak about talent but so much beyond that. It's about how the country would want to look at their idol and it's sad that when so much emphasis is being laid on talent, on the very last note - talent loses out to social acceptance. (Continued…)
Catherine
posted 5/31/09 @ 10:35 PM EST
Very articulate, well written and most of all, very correct. Most of the mainstream newspapers should take a lesson from you.
Post a Comment