Image Credit: Lewis Jacobs/NBC
Back in 2003, Frenchie Davis knocked our socks off during American Idol‘s auditions and Hollywood Week — before she was knocked off the show for topless photos taken when she was a teenager. Shortly thereafter, she starred on Broadway in Rent, but then she took a spot on national tours in 2004 with Dreamgirls and in 2008 with Ain’t Misbehavin‘. (The latter did, however, score her a Grammy nomination.) Then in 2009, Frenchie was featured on Tony Moran’s charting dance single, “You Are” — but failed to release any additional singles. And now, as we saw last night, she’s fighting to become the winner of The Voice, after advancing to the next round thanks to her performance of “I Kissed A Girl.” Of course, while some debate whether or not she has an unfair advantage — indeed, she does have a bevy of built-in Idol fans on her side — it’s easy to also wonder: Does the Grammy-nominated singer deserve a second chance? Is she simply chasing an unobtainable dream, or is she an inspiration to all of us who strive to never give up?
I’d like to think the latter, if only because I’ve been waiting for eight years for the woman who delivered a solid “Band of Gold” during Idol‘s Hollywood Week to make it big. And even in our cynical day and age, aren’t talent reality shows supposed to be TV’s beacon of optimism? (Remember what one cat-loving British lady did for audiences?) Why not root for second third fourth chances? Still, I do understand some that would argue that Frenchie had her chance — perhaps someone else should enjoy life in the spotlight. After all, there are only 32 lucky hopefuls for the first stage of The Voice.
What say you, PopWatchers? Is Frenchie Davis an inspiration? Or has she had too many chances to succeed?
Follow Kate on Twitter @KateWardEW
Read more:
‘The Voice’ season premiere recap: Vocal News
Ratings: ‘The Voice’ debuts huge
‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week: 10 Most Memorable Group Performances
How many shows will she have to be on to get her dream? not fair at all, if you have been nominated for a grammy, you shouldn’t be competing in a reality show. Not fair to the others. i don’t care tho,
HAve to agree. She is a showbiz professional at this point!!! If they are going to let her in where does it stop? SHouls they let Constantine in? How about David Archuleta and Taylor Hicks? If she can’t get a record deal after being on Broadway and a grammy nomination maybe no one wants her. Seems like a publicity stunt for the Voice to let her in because of the idol connection.
You obviously don’t know crap about the music industry.
Agreed. I want the woman to do well. She has a great voice. It was unfair of the Idol producers to toss her off the show. BUT, she is now a professional. She works on Broadway, has recording contracts, has been nominated for awards. Other than pulling in the big bucks, I’d say she’s attained her dream. I think she should let others get on these shows and have a chance to get what she has.
She doesn’t make big bucks. Broadway pays you like any other job and its expensive to live in NYC. I think she deserves it more than any other person up there. I didn’t see any of those other people make it to Idol AND blow our socks off and then get kicked off for a malfunction. GO FRENCHIE!!
That makes no sense at all
The producers of The Voice have stated that unlike Idol they don’t have any limitations as to who can audition. People who have had recording contracts, put out albums, gone out on tour, and even won Grammys are STILL eligible as long as they aren’t currently under contract. That is why Lukas Rossi who won Rockstar:Supernova will also be auditioning (presumably next week.)
What is sad is that had Fox not freaked out and canned Frenchie on American Idol she would have had that chance…now nobody cares about photos that by the way nobody ever saw…as they were on a website that was not even up when they let Frenchie go. The Grammy thing is correct..it’s the cast recording and not Frenchie as a solo artist.Their are several other contestants on the Voice from other shows…Frenchie just always gets the press. IN fact the girl Frenchie is competing with I believe won the VH1 show called “Born to Diva” a few years ago. You are correct…Frenchie is competing to be a solo recording artist just like anybody else, and is competing fair and square!!!!! You go DIVA!!!!!!!
she didn’t get nominated as a solo artist she was part of a BIG musical cast!! Her dream is to be a solo recording artist! Quite different!!!!!!
Go Frenchie!
Stfu! Too many chances?! And here we have cracked out, meth pheens, Rx drug popping, cocaine addicted, wife beating, shoplifting celebrities that get chance after chance after chance. While being glorified in the process. So why put a limit on Frenchie?! Hello???
I agree. If we are willing to give Lindsay Lohan and many other actors, actresses and musicians another chance when they have done far worse … and don’t have half the talent … then Frenchie deserves the chance as well. And I was not a fan before last night (while I knew why she was kicked off, I did not watch her season of Idol).
You had your chance. NEXT!
When it comes to TV, she hasn’t yet a *a* chance, so how can one have had ‘too many chances’? This post is stupid. Kate, y’gotta do better than this one, lass.
I have to agree with you tarc. When I saw the article title, I thought someone wanted to create an issue out of nothing. Why is it that Frenchie has to be controversial? While I didn’t know before watching The Voice that Frenchie had been on Broadway (found out more after reading Kate’s unnecessary article that she is a pro), I don’t care. we don’t determine this show’s eligibility rules & if we don’t like them, we don’t have to watch. I personally, have it on season pass in my Tivo. It’s fresh and different. Much better than AI (though I gave up on that 3-4 seasons ago). The show just started – we don’t know how far Frenchie’s going to go…
I agree. I don’t care about her. And her voice doesn’t do anything for me.
She had it taken away from her. Are you retarded??
Uhhh… Hello! Javier had like three albums and went on tour with Taylor Hicks. He had music videos ( youtube “crazy”) if he gets a chance, Frenchie does too!
Oh yeah I remember him, I use to like that song `Crazy`.
I was wondering where he was from. I LOVE “Crazy”!
Thank you. I was wondering when someone was going to say something about Javier.I even got one of his albums.
I dont want to get in on the debate of whether or not she is a ‘beginner’ or should be allowed on based on past experience with AI. I can see both sides of that debate. On the question, does she deserve a chance, the answer is a RESOUNDING YES, whether it be a second chance or third or fourth, if that is what folks are calling it. I dont call it a ‘second’ chance, since her first was taken from her over something that happened years ago, and something that was completely unrelated to her ability to sing. There have been many singers, and Hollywood stars who have ‘bared all’ or worse; do we strip them of their star-status or contracts based on what they have done–very rarely! So why should this person be any different. Regardless of whether or not you agree or disagree with topless photos or her being involved in something of that nature, she deserves the same chance as anyone else. I had never heard of her prior to this episode, but I think everyone deserves a chance. I dont think looks or behavior or personality or dress or any anything else should be allowed by the judges on a basis of disqualification of a contestant just because they dont agree with them. Personally I think some stars look like complete idiots and act just as bad, and no I wont name names, but guess what, they’re still huge stars with a large following. Who is one judge or a handful to say, you don’t deserve a chance because I don’t like this about you? Did you know before Garth Brooks made it big, he was turned down by every major record label in Nashville? Wonder how many ‘professional, educated idiots’ are kicking themselves now, as even in retirement, he sold out more than 10 shows in Nashville this year alone and raised more than 3 million dollars for Nashville flood relief of 2010. Whether or not you’re a Garth fan, you gotta love the irony. Who knows but what this woman’s story might end like that with a handful of judges on AI or somewhere else kicking themselves because they ‘might have been’ the ones who discovered her, instead of the ones remembered for turning her away. Whether or not I’m a Garth fan, were I in his shoes, I’d have had to mail the first gold single to every single one of those producers with a note thanking them for sending him away…. I’m sure they’d get the idea.
My eyes glazed over after like 5 seconds of reading that.
that’s exactly what i did, too!
its all about her having the same chance any other star would have
You might want to start your own BLOG. Then only people really interested in your windy posts will have to read them.
you were interested enough to read it so dont complain about it after, otherwise just dont read it, personally i think they made some good points
Please try stating this in 100 keystrokes or less why don’t you. Geez.
Who cares… it is about her talent and as long as she keeps moving on and also gets somewhere in The Voice… good for her. If somebody was better, she would not make the cut. There are no victims here, only opportunities.
You said it in fewer words than I ever could! THANK YOU.
Even though Frenchie has experienced more success than the overwhelming majority of people who sing for a living, I think she should still be allowed to pursue her solo stardom dream…
…my main problem with her last night was that I didn’t think she sounded very good AT ALL.
Agreed! Horrible song choice.
Ditto on the horrible song choice!
I also thought she sounded awful !
Me too!
You are right. I thought she sounded terrible
What is this “fair” BS? Why shouldn’t she have as many opportunities as she can earn with her talent?
vipitems.net
ALL KINDS OF FASHION ITEMS,FAND YOUR LOVER HEREE.
She’s an inspiration to never give up on your dreams.
someone stuffed the poll box
glad to see most here are in favor of her getting her chance
I loved her reaction when Cee Lo knew who she was, priceless. I didn’t know she had a grammy nom, I think you’ve had your chance Frenchie, but you’re still doing well! Some people are not meant to be hit single singers.
One of the things that I liked about “The Voice” is that they didn’t try to create a corny facade of discovering people who had never done anything before like AI does. Frankly,if you haven’t paid your dues, you don’t deserve a platform that thousands are trying to earn day on and day out. I liked the concept that these participants on the Voice are hardworking people who have dedicated their lives to making it, and can appreciate and fully use the advice that the professionals can give.
this may be the stupidest question ew has ever asked! no one ever said the purpose of this show was to find undiscovered talent. finally a show about highlighting people who actually sacrifice for their craft…not wait to be discovered. and frenchie isn’t the only known artist. lucas rossi much?
I really didn’t enjoy her voice on AI and I really didn’t enjoy her voice on The Voice. I think they should have set some parameters or before we know it K.C. from the Sunshine Band will be auditioning.
Wow this is ignorant on so many levels. You should be burned alive.