What kind of a week would it be if there wasn’t some kind of American Idol drama to discuss? One where I’d be sweating and shaking in the fetal position under my desk, that’s what kind. Not to worry, though, at this very second I’m neither shivering nor the least bit clammy, thanks to Mandisa, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, and Paula Abdul. Thanks guys!
- First up on our docket of dishonor, a sharp-eyed writer at Reality TV Magazine briefly spotted Taylor Hicks’ name and toll-free number on screen during Mandisa’s performance of ”Shackles (Praise You)” on Tuesday night. Fox officials refused to comment on the snafu, but a source close to the show pooh-poohs that the technical glitch lasted less than a second, and that Mandisa’s 888-number appeared correctly through the rest of her performance and during the end-of-show recap. In other words, probably not a big deal, especially considering the popular belter escaped the bottom three last night.
- While we’re on the subject of Mandisa (pictured), The Advocate.com has a story questioning whether this season’s power vocalist is part of the ex-gay movement. Writer Neal Broverman points to Mandisa’s official Idol page, where she says her personal American idol is author and speaker Beth Moore, of Living Proof Ministries, whose website contains links to so-called ex-gay organizations such as Exodus International. Broverman also wonders what exactly Mandisa meant with the shout-out that preceded her Tuesday performance: ”This song goes out to everybody that wants to be free. Your addiction, lifestyle, and situation may be big, but God is bigger.” When asked for an explanation, a publicist for Idol told me it’s not the show’s policy to comment on contestants’ personal lives (and apparently not their on-air remarks, either). That said, as a gay Idol addict, I’m not ready to label Mandisa a homophobe just yet. In fact, I got more of a ”God loves everyone” vibe from the ”Shackles” performance. Now ‘Disa, don’t prove me wrong, or it’s gonna break my heart!
-Just a tidbit I missed while basking in the brilliance of Elliott Yamin’s vocals this week was the fact that he flubbed the third line of Gavin DeGraw’s ”I Don’t Want to Be.” Listen for yourself!
-Remember all that tabloid scuttlebutt about Paula Abdul getting replaced by Jessica Simpson or Deborah Gibson? Not happening! The Idol judge who always sees the glass half-full (of something) has signed on for three more years of duty.
-And lastly, for those of you still seething that Chris Daughtry wasn’t shown giving credit to Live for his arrangement of Johnny Cash’s ”I Walk the Line” last week, the band’s lead singer, Ed Kowalczyk, released a statement giving props to the Idol hopeful, according to MTV.com (scroll down). "We wish Chris the best of luck in the competition," Kowalczyk said. "I thought he did a great job with the song. There’s no doubt he’s a talented performer and I hope he goes far.” Ditto for me — as long as the dude promises to never again cover Creed.
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I totally caught Elliott’s flub during his performance… I was shocked the judges didn’t say anything about it, especially during this part of the competition.
thank goodness Simon finally told Chris something that I’ve been wanting to tell him for the last couple weeks. every performance is the same… it’s true. He really needs to do something different… it’s getting very boring.
my man Taylor pulled through yet again… I loved his performance.
I’m surprised there was no mention in this post about Katharine being in the bottom 3 instead of Bucky… and that she was in the bottom 2 instead of Ace…
that teenage girl demographic can really mess things up.
That’s some pretty salacious stuff about Mandisa. It makes a good deal of sense (the pre-perf. shout-out and the ties to the ex-gay speaker). If I were betting – which I’m not but it’s always fun to pretend you are – I’d put my money on this scandal growing in coming weeks (days?). I don’t think she’ll win regardless, but there’s no way this new info won’t cause a stir. She might be gone sooner than she deserves to go.
i wasn’t feeling mandisa’s song…it dropped her notches in my esteem. and what else did she mean by ‘lifestyle?’ that’s the international buzz word for gay and lesbian. unless she was referring to swingers.
I don’t have it taped so can’t check, but I could have sworn that there was a brief mention that Chris was performing another band’s take on ‘Walk the Line’ during the little segment of him with Barry Manilow. Was I the only one who caught it, or have I imagined this?
Say it ain’t so Mandisa!! I too am a gay Idol addict and I predict her to be Top 4 or even Top 2 but that won’t happen if the speculation is true. And I have to say that Michael Slezak is my new idol…you are hilarious!
Katharine was in my top 3 list, but America’s bottom 2 list. WTF AMERICA??!
Katharine was in my top 3 list, but America’s bottom 2 list. WTF AMERICA??!
I hadn’t read Mandisa’s bio before this week’s show, but was immediately pissed off when she announced she was going to be singing a Mary Mary song…aren’t they the homophobic christian group who had an anti-gay song a few years back?
From the second Mandisa’s bio was posted on the Idol website she has come across to me as a so called “God Warrior.” The opening to her song Tuesday night confirmed that to me. Plus did you see how uncomfortable she looked when Paula said that there was now a “church of Mandisa.” When Paula said that it appeared that was a big no-no in her book. I’m not gay but I do fear that Mandisa does hold some opinions that a lot of people would not be happy with.
I caught Elliot flubbing the lyrics too. He recovered enough that it was a non-deal though.
Ah homophobia wrapped in the veil of religion. I love how people can’t just be honest and say “I believe this.” No they have to hide it in their religious beliefs saying “Well the Bible says so so it must be right.” Well the bible also says we should see our daughters into slavery and not touch the skin of a dead pig. Guess it all depends on social context but as long as we have garbage like that performance last night being spouted we arn’t going to get anywhere.
What happened to judging a person on their performance and singing ability and talent…not their personal life!?! If someone wrote off a contestant because they were gay, wouldn’t people be in an uproar? What Mandisa chooses to believe is her business. To judge her because you may believe differently is completely NOT tolerant!!!
Mandisa – American Idol?? I don’t think so. Chris – a little too boring – but that man, Taylor Hicks, he has is all.
lori,
judging someone for being gay is not the same as judging someone for being anti-gay. it is totally within reason to stop supporting a contestant who is intolerant of a group of people based on their sexual preference. just like it would be within reason to dismiss someone for being racist. hate is hate!
Did anyone else wonder if Shakira and Wyclef Jean were lip syncing? I thought his first line where he shouts out ‘Shakira’ was heard, but the camera was on him and his lips didn’t move. I don’t have Tivo, so I can’t check for sure, but they both seemed really off and like the camera avoided too many close-ups.
Elliott also mixed up the first and second lines of his song, if I’m not mistaken (sang them out of order, I mean). I think that’s what threw him off for the third one. Doesn’t matter, though, he’s still one of my favorites.
I can’t get your audio link to work to hear how the contestant messed up Gavin DeGraw. I’m not a fan of Idol, but I am a fan of that song.
I really love Paris personally…I have been a huge fan ever since her very first audition. I love Chris and Kelly Pickler too. So far, the cuts are going just like they should IMHO.
As for the Mandisa thing, personally — I would have a problem with the show being a platform for anything like “ex gay ministries.” I mean, come on, people, if you had found out a week before the end of Season One that K. Clarkson was a Neo-nazi, you CANNOT say that her “personal life” wouldn’t affect it and only her singing voice counts!
For what it’s worth; I think my favorites are still there
minus one (Lisa). For my money Lisa should’ve stayed and
Paris gotta rid of. Only because Lisa is a “classy” act,
and now to me Paris is starting to act more of a “Diva” instead
of a “Diva” in training!
America-Vote Paris off, Mandisa is one who should stay to the
end, and hopefully Taylor or Mandisa should become the IDOL!
I agree Christina. Mandisa totally looked like Paula had committed sacrilege or blasphemy or heresy or something. I know a lot of people are religious in this country, but that’s been a big turn-off for me with Mandisa. She’s got a great voice and personality, but she’s got that God Warrior thing going on. Yuck!
This is the first season I am watching the whole AI.
I hate to see any of them go- but as it is a contest-
the next 5 to go will be
Taylor/Ace/Bucky/Paris/Katherine
Taylor and Elliott ae the only ones who can appeal to most people. Taylor is a true entertainer and Elliott has the vocals. Everyone else should go.
I’ll start with Paula. Why oh why did Fox execs do that? I honestly don’t know if I can handle 3 more years of Paula.
Elliott may have flubbed his lyrics, but I still think he was the best performance on Tuesday so I don’t mind.
I didn’t notice Taylors # during Mandisa’s performance but I am glad it didn’t cause them to repeat the show to have a re-vote like last time – I truly wouldn’t have been able to sit through those performances again.
I was kind of annoyed that they gave Chris more airtime on Tuesday to explain the whole “Live” thing. I didn’t like that they touted his performance as being so “original”, but I was more annoyed that they then gave him a sit-down interview to further discuss it.
Now for Mandisa. As a gay Idol fan I am somewhat offended by the news about the “ex-gay” thing. I am not offended that she believes it, but I would be offended by her showing up on my television and making her beliefs part of her performance. If it’s true than she will lose a large part of her potential fan base. We gays love our DIVAS and unlike the rest of America we don’t care what size or shape they come in (Martha Wash anyone?). With her voice she could create some fierce dance club classics, but if she’s out there dismissing us there would probably be some serious backlash. Maybe I’m wrong, but I honestly believe it to be true.
For me the only 2 contestants left to cheer for are Elliott and Taylor. To me they represent the 2 that need this competiton the most – it would be hard for either of them to walk into a record lable office and get a deal. This show has been a way for both of them to reach a huge audience and get their voices heard, and while it might be easier for each of them now, I still think the Idol experience would be more beneficial to one of them than the others remaining. Chris, Mandisa, Katharine, and Paris will surely get recording contracts regardless of where they place. I’ll even throw a bone to Kellie & Ace – they both have charisma and while I have ZERO interest in hearing either of them sing I would be opposed to watching them act or host on Mtv. The only one left that does absolutely NOTHING for me is Bucky and quite frankly I could care less what happens to him after the show – i just know I wont be watching or listening.
I’m not an AI fan, but this scandal is actually creepy to me for one sole reasons: Mandisa’s from Antioch, TN, which isn’t far from where I reside. Hopefully, this is just overexaggerated news blown out of proportion, but I fear that this is only going to perpetuate the stereotype that Tennesseans (mainly Nashvillians like myself) are a bunch of homophobic hicks. And considering that’s how I might be seen after this, I don’t like it.
I’m torn about the whole Mandisa thing. I don’t think we should crucify her (heh) on hearsay. I tried to find links between the ex-gay movement and Beth Moore but couldn’t. Until Mandisa says something actually homophobic, I don’t really think any of us have the grounds to say that she *is* homophobic. She’s clearly a devout and active Christian, but she’s never tried to hide that — look at her profile in American Idol. But then, Kellie Pickler and Paris talk about praying and God a lot as well, so… I’m just sayin’, let’s not rush to judgement.
I am glad Katharine was in the bottom two, I like the others much better, especially Chris and Bucky.
My love for Mandisa just went a little down. Homophobics make me sick, and I hope Mandisa is not a total homophobic and bible-thumper.
Now why did Katharine show up at the bottom? She’s one of my favorites!
i love the Idol, and i like Mandisa. though i believe everyone has a right to their privately held beliefs and opinions, i definitely think Mandisa is getting dangerously close to crossing some lines. when public figures voice their private opinions, that’s when they become accountable. moreso, if those opinions involve judgement — implied or otherwise — of a minority group, they need to be prepared for response- both positive an negative.
i loved Madisa before this, and will continue to support her- however now, i am slightly skeptical.
I’m torn as well. I think Mandisa is talented, but the homophobic rumors really bother me.
I think we should give Mandisa the benefit of the doubt here. After all, saying she admires someone whose website links to other websites with offensive content isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of those views, and for all we know the ‘lifestyle’ comment could be referring to an unhealthy diet and lack of excercise. Until and unless she actually demonstrates some kind of intolerance, I don’t think we should jump to conclusions here.
Sorry, missed it. I tape the show each week and watch just enough to know what the kids sing and Simon’s comments. Can get through the hour in about 20 minutes. Too much fluff.