Other shows tried to be as good and hopes of being better. I don’t like the new format of Idol but still watch it because of the contestants. It is about time we aren’t seen as a threat and only seen for our TALENT. But, if OPEN gay contestants who are proud of themselves are allowed to compete and are FINALLY not seen as a threat to the viewing audience, then let the LGBT community rejoice. I am NOT saying they should add gay people for the sake of adding gay people. But the fact that their sexuality didn’t DETRACT from the producers and judges decision to propel them forward is a huge feat for inclusion and equality.
But we can ALL agree Ada and Jurnee are plenty talented to be included in this Top 14. Idol reaches an audience that is even larger than the pop entertainment industry. I, being in my mid 20s, of course know these names, but my mother for example would have no clue except maybe Sam Smith and my grandmother would be even more lost. End of story, agreed.Ģ) There are A LOT of people who do not keep up with popular music and especially the LGBT entertainers (ie Sam Smith, Hayley Kiyoko, Troye Sivan, etc). That is why it is important.ġ) I said that the most talented should win. That is why this article is being written. The fact that struggling Americans at home can see people with an extraordinary amount of talent who also happen to be LGBT can be loved and accepted by America as well as a role model (and dare I say an “Idol”) in spite of their sexuality is a HUGE step for equality and acceptance. (FYI, there have been plenty of talented LGBT contestants in the past but have not been given the opportunity to compete for america’s vote due to fear that it would alienate audiences.) Representation in the media is important. But the fact that the producers and judges put through not one but TWO talented LGBT members in the live shows is a massive feat for inclusion. Sure, the most talented artist should win. He was not open about his sexuality during his time on the show in fear that it would affect the audience’s perception of him. You are probably thinking- what about Adam Lambert? No. Here’s why it matters…name the last time there was even one person of the LGBT community that was labeled a frontrunner on American Idol with a serious chance of winning. I’m merely calling upon America to approach these live episodes with an open ear and an open mind. I’m not suggesting that you should blindly support any of these contestants there’s plenty of talent to be found in this season’s Top 14. Don’t blame these singers for being more interesting than the others.)īut the comment that really set me off was someone’s assertion that one of the aforementioned contestants is “not American Idol material.” Can we unpack that for a second? Perhaps this person’s interpretation of the show’s mission differs from my own, but aren’t we looking for someone to inspire us with killer vocals and a strong sense of self? If that’s not already the goal, maybe it should be the mixed (to put it nicely) success of the show’s more recent winners - all of whom were presumably “ Idol material” - suggests that a change of perspective is in order. Readers have used words like “annoying” and “over-the-top” to describe them, and have regularly whipped out my personal favorite complaint that the show is “shoving them down our throats.” (For the record, Idol has devoted equal time to everyone. I’ve already seen an unhealthy helping of negative sentiments about these singers in TVLine’s own comments. But that all changes on Sunday when the remaining singers go live, vying for the public’s fickle affections. No amount of audience reaction (and there’s been a lot!) could affect the pre-recorded results. The road to the Top 14 - which literally spanned 24 hours, just in case you’re wondering where your life went - has been controlled entirely by the judges. Moving forward, my concern can be boiled down to a single word: America. Never was that more evident than during Jurnee’s rendition of The Greatest Showman‘s “Never Enough,” which Ashley was able to experience in person:īeyond showcasing LGBT contestants, ABC’s Idol maintains a refreshing air of inclusion, encouraging contestants to celebrate their differences, rather than trying to fit them into pre-made boxes. For so many viewers watching from home on Monday night, Ada and Lea Michele’s duet of Wicked‘s “Defying Gravity” was a once-in-a-gay-moon moment:Īnd then there’s Jurnee, 18, who draws inspiration for her powerful performances from her wife Ashley, a soldier in the U.S.
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