Comments on Why Do Some 'American Idol' Stars Succeed While Others Disappear?

Tue Jan 29 2008 15:26:55 By: number1HSMfan (

37)
i think thats stupid if you win american idol then you should be the one that gets the benefits not the person who lost THEY LOST WHY SHOULD THEY GET THE SAME THING SOMETIMES BETTER THAN WHAT THE WINNER GETS THAT SHOW IS UNFAIR BUT I STILL LOVE IT

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Tue Jan 29 2008 16:34:54 By: privateladyy (

1)
I believe that there is a standard in the music industry with great restrictions and control factors that Taylor Hicks refused to subject himself to. Therefore, by NOT allowing the powers at be to 'control' him, Taylor Hicks was punished and denied proper promotions by the American Idol machine and the recording labels. If Taylor Hicks had sold his soul so that everyone could profit off of his music, you'd have written a different story.
It was blatantly clear, when American Idol promoted Chris Daughtry rather than Taylor Hicks that the 'fix' was in.
Considering the terrible marketing that took place, and the failure of the record label to properly stock stores with Taylor Hicks CD's... Taylor Hicks did fantastic promoting himself throughout 2007 during his tour.
Many people know the abuses that take place behind the scene's in the music industry and MANY artist are now going solo.
I am proud of Taylor Hicks for not caving in to the media machine. He stood tall, proud and he is full of soul.
Just because someone does not fit into the picture perfect mold of "hollywood" ... does not mean they are not talented.
If you don't make the music THEY want you to... you're screwed.
What if..... Kelly Clarkson was best at singing the blues?
What if... Carrie Underwood was black?
What if ... Chris Daughtry was 350 pounds?
Would the American Idol Machine promote them the way they did?
Interesting thoughts......

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Tue Jan 29 2008 17:02:49 By: Ezelle (

1)
Other American Idols Stars have done stints on Broadway however Fantasia Barrino won the 2007 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance plus received rave reviews for her perfomance in "The Color Purple" from The New York Times (Charles Isherwood), The New York Daily News (Joe Dziemianowicz), The New York Post (Clive Barnes), New York Newsday (Linda Winer), Variety (David Rooney, variety.com), The Associated Press (Michael Kuchwara), Bloomberg News (John Simon), The Village Voice (Michael Musto), Time Out New York (Adam Feldman timeout.com), The New Jersey Star Ledger (Michael Sommers), Talkin' Broadway (Matthew Murray talkinbroadway.com), Theatre Mania (Brian Scott Lipton theatermania.com), TalkEntertainment.com (Oscar E. Moore), News & Observer (Bridgette A. Lacy newsobserver.com), AM New York (Matt Windman, amny.com), Stephen Ahearn (cincity2000.com), Broadwayworld (broadwayworld.com), and AP World News Live PR (live-pr.com)
Most of the more respected reviewers said that Fantasia's performance was better than the original!
Note that the original Celie - LaChanze won the Tony!
The reviews can be found online if you google them.
Not only that but Fantasia's latest Album is nominated for 3 Grammys and her song "When I See U" topped the Billboard R&B Chart for 8 consecutive weeks.
...and thats what you call disappeared?

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Tue Jan 29 2008 17:05:09 By: Tom Sizemore (

18677)
Ezelle, your citing of news publications and reporters is disturbing.

And regardless, no one knows who Fantasia is.

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Tue Jan 29 2008 18:21:27 By: derek12 (

3)
Ezelle you are correct, Fantasia is very successful but SOME people will always rag on her. She has 3 grammy nomiations this year and just completed a successful run on Broadway and had a tv movie, a book deal but SOME people love to find the negative when it comes to Fantasia and Ruben. Fantasia single "WHEN I SEE U" was number 1 on the r&b charts for 8 weeks now that to me is successful.

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Tue Jan 29 2008 19:19:31 By: Fried Chicken (

769)
Fantasia Barrino needs a better publicity department, Ezelle is doing all the work.

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Tue Jan 29 2008 19:39:32 By: derek12 (

3)
Fried Chicken, you are right about that when it comes to promo Fantasia's team gets a BIG FAT F!

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Tue Jan 29 2008 20:53:07 By: 2sugha (

1070)
Because some of them have talent and some don't.
Maybe you haven't noticed Fried Chicken & derek12 but Fantasia is on Broadway now. That's BROADWAY !

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Tue Jan 29 2008 21:03:27 By: derek12 (

3)
2sugha you need to go back and re-read what i said..lol
I gave my girl Fantasia all kind of props, i said she did Broadway etc.

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Wed Jan 30 2008 09:33:43 By: Persefeni (

1)
My fave was season 4. I really liked Nadia Turner. In season 5 I liked Kellie Pickler not her singing but her personality

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Wed Jan 30 2008 13:44:53 By: notabritneyfan (

7)
I am personally annoyed that Rachel Burke would make unfactual comments about Fantasia. Especially since she has been nominated for three grammys. She is such a talented singer. When she sings, you want to get up and say, "you go girl." She has an amazing voice, I feel better than Kelly Clarkson. But you know what, privateladyy was right what.
What if..... Kelly Clarkson was best at singing the blues?
What if... Carrie Underwood was black?
What if ... Chris Daughtry was 350 pounds?
From reading this article, you already know that Ms. Burke is bias and she has already established her ignorance by making false statements against good artist. Hmmm... I wonder what race is she?

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Wed Jan 30 2008 13:53:58 By: foxydonna (

2)
I would hardly say Fantasia has "dropped off the face of the earth," and if you listen to urban or R&B radio stations you'll hear her played a lot. There is also talk that she will star in a film version of the musical 'Color Purple.'
As for Jordin, yes, her music is played on the radio, but her album sales are not really all that hot. Radio airplay doesn't always generate CD sales - just ask Kimberley Locke.
There are a lot of former Idols out there who are making good money, performing at various events, but about whom you may not be aware. In your terms, they may not be successful, but a six-figure income equates to a level of success in my book - something they would never have achieved had they not been on the show.
I suggest you dig a little deeper when writing a story like this in the future. Your bias is showing.

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Wed Jan 30 2008 14:54:14 By: lilbrwneyez (

72)
if u ask me i really think that they luv fresh young meat but all i know is that they need to get dat gay azz clay akein off he iz so fruity

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Wed Jan 30 2008 15:37:00 By: Greg9800 (

6)
I gotta agree with Tom Sizemore, not a lot of people know who Fantasia is. notabritneyfan and foxydonna, you are both being ridiculous. Just because someone is stating a well-known fact, that clarkson, daughtry and underwood are much more well-known than fantasia, doesn't mean that they're racist. I'm not racist, but I agree with that statement, because its true.

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Wed Jan 30 2008 15:47:51 By: Greg9800 (

6)
And wait, isn't Jordin Sparks black too? So much for your racist theory...

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Wed Jan 30 2008 16:26:43 By: foxydonna (

2)
Who said anything about race? I said your "bias" is showing. There's a difference. I don't particularly care for Chris Daughtry, and must be careful when I write news articles that I don't taint the article with anything negative based on my personal opinion. However, if I were doing a concert review or CD review, I could bring my opinion into the mix.
To put it another way, I never hear Jordin Sparks' song on the radio. Does this mean she has disappeared from the face of the earth? No, it simply means I don't listen to pop radio stations that play her music. Judging someone's success or failure based on what you personally hear on the radio can be dangerous.
When writing opinion pieces, which this certainly is, it's important not to present one's opinions as being fact, that's all I was saying.

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Wed Jan 30 2008 16:59:48 By: geraldine.o.tan (

210)
after people spend on the votes for their favorite contestant, they were too broke to buy their 'idol's' albums. :P

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Wed Jan 30 2008 17:36:08 By: silentfan (

1)
In my opinion Taylor Hicks has not dropped of the face of the earth, he is working on his next CD to be done in his way with his type of music, Thank goodness! As for him not being as popular as the others there are many factors to take into account. The biggest being NO AIR TIME, His single was not given the air time it deserved and that is what the others have on him. AI didn't like Taylor and so they decided to make sure his career went no where, He will have the last laugh watch and see. This country is ready for some good quailty music and that is what Taylor brings to the Cd. That and he isn't a blond bombshell but a very attrative young man but can't messure up to the looks of Carrie or Kelly, He does but in a different way. JMO

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Wed Jan 30 2008 17:51:12 By: Greg9800 (

6)
When I talked about race, I was referring to notabritneyfans last sentence "I wonder what race she is". Thats a pretty hefty insult. Just because someone doesn't have the same opinion as someone else, doesn't make them racist.

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Wed Jan 30 2008 18:29:55 By: msc112 (

1)
Let me see what do Carrie , Kelly , Chris have in common ? Yep they can all sing and yep they're all kind of pretty to look at and they are all marketable to middle America . What do Fantasia and Reuben have in common ? let me think mmm ? They can sing , not so generic lookswise appeal to a narrower market possibly therefore don't get the airplay or the publicity .Fantasia owned Broadway with no previous experience similarly to the way she owned season 3 of Idol . No I can't really imagine why there careers haven't taken off

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Wed Jan 30 2008 20:03:17 By: O.P. (

4)
It seems that you are DELIBERATELY attempting to downplay Fantasia Barrino's successes after her Idol win. She has appeared on countless TV shows and specials, sold millions of CDs, wrote a book, had a TV movie on her life and appeared on Broadway for approximately a year in "The Color Purple." After her exit, the show is closing because attendance has dropped. Your assessments are terribly flawed. Fantasia has received many awards as has Jennifer Hudson, who is more well-known than Carrie Underwood! She won every major award for "Dreamgirls" including the Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actor's Guild, National Board of Review and practically all of the major film critics' awards. She's been so busy, she hasn't had a chance to finish her first album. Plus, Jennifer's completed two films ("Sex in the City: The Movie" & "Winged Creatures") since "Dreamgirls" and is signed to do more movies. Hudson has appeared on countless magazine covers (including VOGUE) and was one of Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating of People of 2007. Get your facts straight. Kelly is fading fast, HER film debut was a total disaster and there is no sign she has been offered other film parts; she wasn't that GOOD on AI to begin with, I never understood the hype; and Underwood is not THAT special, she is a carbon copy of every other blond country singer and is boring as hell. As pure, hardcore singers -- Jennifer and Fantasia can eat Kelly and Carrie ALIVE and have Joss & Amy W. as desert!

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Wed Jan 30 2008 21:55:18 By: whatnow (

1)
I think looks has alot to do with it, but in my opinion, Taylor Hicks has the looks, the talent and I love his CD. He had the wrath of Simon Cowell,and American Idol powers against him after he won. Nome of his music was played on the radio, he did not have a video, and Simon bashed him every chance he got.He did not like Taylor from the beginning, and he was really ticked off when all of his nasty comments he made to Taylor during season 5,did not keep him from being voted the winner. I only hope that Taylor doesn't let all the negativity bother him, and keep on singin, he is a great guy,I wish him lots of luck.For a singer not to be heard on the radio at all, 700,000 CD's sold is not that bad... As for Chris Daughtry, he is a good guy, with tremendous talent and deserves all that is happening to him.

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Thu Jan 31 2008 02:20:20 By: cricket756 (

1)
I think that the idol machine decides who it will market and who they will not long before the end of the competition. Alot of air play costs money and without airplay and videos a talent is lost. As has often been stated - this is a "pop" competition. Although I think Chris D was their nod to Rock. We are influenced by the number of times we hear a song and its back to basics. The more you hear the tune the more likely it is that it will grow on you.

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Thu Jan 31 2008 05:23:09 By: Sticks (

2)
I kind of think at least two reasons why some idols succeed and others don't has to do with the fact that many people who watch idol are really just fans of the show. They get caught up in it for the contest factor and excitement. They either take a liking to someone on their own, or they get swayed too much by the judges opinions and the way they keep praising certain contestants over others. They then vote with no real intention of ever buying the winner's CD's or going to concerts, but just to be part of the process and the end result. I know people who get really caught up in it and vote but have never bought the CD's.
Also, some people, though they have some talent, are just too different. You may like them at first, but don't want them in big doses, like for a full concert. I'm a big figure skating fan and have seen a few different skaters through the years who were very unique in their style and popular with the crowd when they skated one or two numbers, but they have never had really big careers. I've liked a few of them; but can only stand to watch their sometimes strange skating style for a short time. I'd never go to a show that just featured them. That may be the same with some singers. They're good in small doses singing just a few son, as an opening act or something, but can't really command the stage and keep you interested for a whole show and wanting more. Some just don't have the kind of personality you need to connect with a crowd in that way

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Thu Jan 31 2008 05:34:10 By: Sticks (

2)
I forgot one thing I'd like to add to my previous comment. Maybe, too, some singers have just not yet found their niche in the entertainment business. Although I was happy for her when Fantasia won, I, personally, didn't care for her voice and would never buy her CD. But, if I were in New York, I would have gone to see her on Broadway in The Color Purple. Clay Aiken went to see her, after having seen the show with the previous star, and he praised her on his website. He was totally impressed with her performance and said he thought she was the best. On his website, he really encouraged his fans to go and see her in the show.

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Thu Jan 31 2008 15:34:25 By: notabritneyfan (

7)
This is for Greg 9800, you have to look into something deeper than it is. You may not know who Fantasia is because YOU don't want to know who fantasia is (and that's ok). Other people like my self and other fans, like O.P. and Foxxydonna listen to her music, proably to more urban radiostations. I would not necessary say that Kelly Clarkson or any other artist mention aboved fell of the face of the earth because I don't hear their music and don't watch their videos because I know that's not my kind of music. Atlthough, I do not listen to her music, she is on several commercials and talkshows so I am aware that she is doing something with her self. What I was trying to explain was that the person who wrote this article should be educated enough to know that before you print something, you try to obtain much facts as possible. Using google and googling her name might have helped her to find out what she was up to. She was very bias and I felt she down graded all of the African American American Idols Contestants.

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Thu Jan 31 2008 18:44:56 By: strikerbee (

4)
This is a thoughtful and provoking commentary on American Idol. In my opinion, Clarkson and Underwood are leagues away from the more recent winners. Just because someone holds the Idol title, doesn't mean that they are of equal talent or marketability. I think that if a Idol deserves a fan base, they will have one. I know a ton of people who partake in the guilty pleasure of singing along with Clarkson's "Since You've Beeen Gone" and that is because she sings a good song, plain and simple. If you like Idol, check out the A.I. Talent Challenge, sing some karaoke and relax! www.techtogo.com

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Thu Jan 31 2008 18:54:15 By: loveyalongtime (

495)
Because,Kelly,Carrie,& Jordin can actually sing. & The rest just suck! except Blake Bo, & Taylor,I still kind-of like these guys!

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Sat Feb 2 2008 06:15:03 By: venusc (

1)
I believe it is the material they choose, once they are no longer in contract with american idol. Rubben went on to do R&B, and that market is really limited, then he begain to have health issue, also with fantasia, I love her voice, but the songs that she is attracted to, leaves much to desire. Some would say you can take the girl out of the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out of the girl

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Mon Feb 11 2008 16:03:53 By: mande183 (

1)
I don't think Fantasia, Ruban Studdard, and Taylor Hicks, I think they're just as markable as carrie Underwood,Kellie Clarkson and Chris Daughtery.In fact this artist are just as talent in in many ways better. Fantasia is beautiful, she's African America. She's not a light skin, she's a nice brown skin and she's beauiful. Does that not make her markable? The fact that Ruban is heavy and black does that not make him markable? I don't know what stations do people listen to, it can't be R&B because Fantasia music is played pretty often. Keeping it real, alot of people purchase boot leg cd's because they don't have the money to purchase CD's out the store, some people down load music from the internet, that takes a way from sells as well i perosnally think.I guess if you're not white or very light skin, then you're not markable. If you're not tall and skin as a tree, then you're not markable. I just hope that artist like Fantasia contiune to strive, she's doing a lot of things that many may not be aware of.I think she's doing dam good! This some thing pretty sad to deal with in life, it's sad but if the truth be told, this is certainly it. You're talent is what shines.. not becuase of your race, completion, or your weight. Someday this world will be better..

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Thu Feb 21 2008 21:11:49 By: baylady2008 (

1)
I think that a very high percentage of people who vote, do just that and in many cases don't purchase the albums...
They are more interested in watching the contest as opposed to buying the music

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Fri Feb 22 2008 23:05:16 By: Louisa A Ritchotte (

16)
I think your right on all counts, the public enjoys music and the American Idol but I also think the looks and talent have a lot to do with it.

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Tue Feb 26 2008 01:49:04 By: dejavu711 (

8)
I wondered what happened to Taylor Hicks and all them.He won then dissapeared

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Fri Feb 29 2008 21:32:14 By: O.P. (

4)
As a singer, with a LOT of experience, I understand why Randy, Paula and especially, Simon keep pointing out the "pitchiness" (translated, "off-key") singing coming from the AI contestants. You rarely hear off-key professional singers. I still hear it when I see Kelly Clarkson "live" on TV. She fashions herself as a "soul singer" (but who doesn't these days?), but she hasn't perfected the style because she never spent time in a black Baptist church. Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson were born and bred there and you can hear it blatantly in their singing. Black church-goers DO NOT TOLERATE OFF-KEY SINGING!
Mary J. Blige gets away with it because EVERYBODY in hip/hop sings off-key. Fantasia's problem is that producer, Clive Davis has pushed her towards the hip/hop style (where she doesn't belong) just to sell records. Barrino tries to overcome her recordings by going "pure soul" with that material when she appears "live" on TV or in concert. Clive is also "guiding" Jennifer Hudson, who stated from the beginning, "my heart is in classic 60s soul music": Aretha, Gladys, Patti). I'm sure Mr. Davis will ignore that and try and make her another Rihanna or Ashanti. Shame, shame, shame. Both Hudson & Barrino are too talented for that hip/hop nonsense! That's what ruined Ruben Studdard!

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Thu Aug 20 2009 10:53:05 By: manyakay (

1)
The reality is that Fantasia is a lot like Patti LaBelle she is a force, she can not be duplicated, Fantasia not only went to Braodway, she lit it up and sold out The Color Purple for nearly a year, before she stepped foot on the stage, she is respected by iconic singers, she is not a gimmick, Jennifer Hudson has won an Oscar and a Grammy, I believe any exposure that is gotten from shows like AI should be used to guide a career, Clive Davis knows what he has in Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia, and he knows in the long run these ladies will be around a long time , they will not become what ever happen to's. Carrrie Underwood is a country singer and a dam good one and Kelly Clarkson is a very good pop singer, but soulful no. This thing about looks is over blown, Kelly and Carrie are very talented, as for hip hop that is what is selling, lets look at real numbers in sells. Another thing about Fantasia, she wants to sing R&B, she is going to record with a live band for her next CD. What happens is people are judged by one standard, the pop music standard, Patti Labelle did not win a Grammy until the 80's, she has been in the business since the 50's who can stand on stage with Patti that would be Fantasia. What fairly unknown singer won an Oscar after her first movie, that would be Barbara S. for Funny Girl and Jennifer Hudson did the same thing in Dream Girls. Ruben wants to sing Gospel and I believe this is where Fantasia is headed.

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