Not all 'Idol' finalists are treated equally
Truth be told, not a whole lot — at least not during Season 2 when I performed. The kinks were still being ironed out. And the small amount of coaching we did receive was not evenly distributed.
I only received minimal vocal coaching from "American Idol" voice instructor Debra Byrd. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times I actually received applicable, specific advice from her. Most of the time, it was, "You sound good. Just do your thing." Or, "You need to work on your high notes."
One day, as I was waiting downstairs for my private singing lesson, Clay Aiken was in the music room. I could hear him going over and over his song, dissecting it.
Finally, after about 30 minutes, the door opened. It was my turn. I walked in and sang my song about three times before being dismissed. Hardly the personal one-on-one attention Aiken had just received.
After that, I was at a point to spend more time working with someone who was focused on helping me. That's when I began calling Utah vocal coach Dean Kaelin more frequently.
As far as our wardrobes, we basically went shopping on our own and then had the stylists approve our outfits. Meaning that, unless it was absolutely hideous, we could wear whatever we wanted.
Wait — a few of my outfits were absolutely hideous, so scratch that comment.
My mom arranged for a friend of a friend to help me select clothes, and those outfits usually turned out fine.
This year, there have been several comments on outfits. (Remember Carly Smithson a few weeks back? Simon said she needed to "have a talk with whoever is dressing you" compared to the "You look like a star!" comment that was given to Kristy Lee Cook?)
What an artist wears says a lot about who he or she is. It creates a marketable image that viewers either like or forget. I would guess that this season, the contestants are given a lot more help than we were in creating and maintaining a specific image. After all, they represent the show as well as themselves, and the show is bigger than ever.
But perhaps more than wardrobe or vocal coaching, performance coaching was the one thing we needed the most — and received the least. Besides performing for my mom or in front of the mirror, I wasn't given any outside perspective on what does and does not come across well on camera.
Some of the contestants this year have received negative comments on looking "overrehearsed" — but how would they know what looks good if no one takes the time to help them out?
Most of these people have never performed on national TV and don't have a feel for performing on a large stage. I remember watching some of my performances and thinking, "What was I thinking?"
This year's contestants do have the advantage of a live band. Some, like Brooke White and Jason Castro, have taken advantage of the intimate setting a live band can offer, using only a few instruments to stage a great-looking performance.
This week, as the contestants performed songs from Mariah Carey, the diva of all divas, it was clear which contestants had received positive coaching.
David Archuleta relies on an outsider's perspective — someone who doesn't have a hidden agenda like some of the show's coaches may. And it's definitely helped him. This week he sang "Believe."
"You performed that very well," judge Simon Cowell said.
Syesha Mercado also staged her performance well, with a piano as a background prop.
"Technically, that was very good indeed," Cowell critiqued.
David Cook took a huge risk with "Always Be My Baby." He had the right look, performed well and sang his heart out.
"It was original, daring ... and stood out by a mile," Cowell said.
Whoever's helping him is clearly steering him in the right direction.
But all good things must come to an end. Wednesday, it was White, Kristy Lee Cook and Mercado in the bottom three — with Kristy Lee Cook going home. Too bad. She seemed to finally be coming into her own Tuesday night.
Still, just making it into the top seven on "American Idol" — the sky's the limit.
Utah recording artist and actress Carmen Rasmusen-Herbert came in sixth place during the second season of "American Idol." She wrote about her experiences in her book, "Staying in Tune." Her first full album is "Nothin' Like the Summer," featuring the single of the same name. E-mail: features@desnews.com
Recent comments
I was the co-producer of a charity event in which Carmen volunteered...
From the horse's mouth | April 25, 2008 at 2:44 p.m.
I also have been surprised recently with the comments made by Kim...
Gia | April 23, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
Sorry, Carmen, sweetie. But the vibrato killed it for you. That said...
Tess | April 23, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
