My house is like the millions of homes across America that are glued to the set every night American Idol is on. Since I coach people on their “show” or “presence” on a regular basis, I often agree with Simon on how the singer appears. I seem to agree more with Simon because he regularly looks for the X Factor in contestants and then I seem to be on the same page as Paula. She is a generous spirit and a lovely person who really wants the contestants to succeed. Randy is probably the best in terms of voice and he can be quite unpredictable.
I love this program because it highlights exactly what I do for the average professional.
My specialty is getting people to have the “X” Factor.
I know it when I see it; And I know how to let others get it.
Last week, some contestants were fired. In my opinion, this is the reason:
Ayla is beautiful and perfect. She comes from a perfect home. She gets good grades, she’s a star at everything she does. Both parents are well known in their high-level professions and well-regarded in their careers. The problem? Ayla was TOO perfect and people didn’t support her. People don’t WANT perfect people to win. They want the ones with the flaws.
What she could have done and can do in the future: Being naturally beautiful and completely stunning even in her sweatiest moments on the basketball court, Ayla needed to be seen helping someone less fortunate. She needed to show that her goal wasn’t just to strive to be better and everything about her, but that there was a determined kid who had challenges she sang about or a cause to work for. (Remember Clay Aiken?)
Gedeon was the guy that Simon told he didn’t like his smile. The interesting thing was that it was doubtful that anyone had said that to Gideon before; they had probably always praised him since he is so big…so in your FACE. But, there is some truth to what Simon said. I subconsciously think that the constant big smile annoyed others. No one can be happy all the time and it seems insincere. His voice was the most beautiful and soulful voice, but Gideon needed to tone down everyone’s attitude, smile, and blessing after talking to him. He had the goods, he just oversold them. If he had been discreet, had he lost his big hair and kept a humble demeanor, he would still be in the competition.
Kinnik Sky should have a good acting/singing career anyway. He proved to be a class act and probably didn’t need to try to be country when she’s actually a lovely woman who has a classy side. Her song choices needed to show WHO she is, not who she wants to be. Kinnik: Stick to classical songs, classy, jazz, something like that. After you’ve had a few hits, expand to fit in with the others, but you LOOK like a jazz artist and that’s what’s going to sell you.
Will – the dear gentleman who sang “How Sweet it is” sang it 10 times better the second night when he was really loose and had fun with it. I think the secret to her not getting to the next level was her age or her unspectacularity. She just didn’t have the confidence to do something unique or different. If he had been coaching him, he probably would have selected a more modern song and picked that 11-15 year old vote and made him show a bit more of an edge, which would have gotten 20-something women interested. As she was, she just seemed sweet. Not memorable.
By Edge, I mean what Kelly Pickler did! As she sang, she rocked to the ground and back up without a struggle showing anywhere on her beautiful face. She was sweet, sexy, unique and risky. It looks like someone worked with Kelly to perfect those moves because she did it without even looking nervous until after her, when Simon embarrassingly called her a “minx.” After saying so, Simon took a huge cup and drank from it, thus covering her face. I have a feeling he was a bit embarrassed to have stammered those words to the world. He was drawn to what she did and her blood was boiling. Paula and Randy were just as surprised and amazed by what Kelly did. She gained quite a fan base that night, especially since she was so fired up that anyone would find her attractive. Her attitude is fresh and genuine. She will go far in this competition.
I just have to say a few words about Brenna. Brenna has probably had to fight since childhood to get someone’s attention. Unfortunately, she has become a person who craves him and tries to draw her attention to her, not naturally attract her. She needs to go to her hometown and start helping other people IMMEDIATELY and redo her attitude. She will never sell 1 album with her current attitude of hers. She needs to see Tonia Harding as her guide and be willing to BE classy…not stay in the same place. She is not attractive at all, but she can recover if she puts herself in humiliating situations to help those less fortunate. She will start to be appreciative and not so arrogant.
Ace! Let me just say that the ONLY thing going against this guy is that he moved to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune. That could work against him in the last show or two when other contestants are genuinely untapped talent. He already KNOWS he has talent. He goes for the tops. But, he DOES have the assets. He has the “look” that will send women into outer space. He’s 1,000 times more genuine than last year’s Constintine, who tried to be sexy to capture the female vote. All he did for women who are a bit older is make them roll their eyes. Anyone who TRIES to be sexy is ridiculous.
Some tips for the Top 12:
Paris – stop saying you have “favor”. That’s going to start to sound arrogant and no one knows what you’re talking about (except those people who hear preachers talk about it). Go and have some fun with your songs, but please start being a little fancier and surprise yourself when you get compliments.
Melissa, you are bordering on being too crude. You are going to have to show a different side: smart, athletic or classy. You look a little too sexy and that’s going to be a turnoff. Your voice is fantastic, and if you can dominate the stage by working on using ALL the stage and showing vulnerability on stage, then you’re going to show that new side and gain new fans.
Taylor – You’re great! Keep it up!
Katherine – Let them adorn you in a big way. It will be fun and it will earn you votes.
BUCKY – Get some ATTITUDE man. (I would love to work with Bucky!) He has an amazing voice, but he doesn’t believe it or know it. He needs to “get stuck in” and have a “take no prisoners” attitude. He has room to grow in this competition! Simon predicts he’ll be gone next week, I bet. But if Bucky could work on his showmanship, he’d beat Kevin and move on. He’s got raw talent, good looks, and can sing a tune!
Mandissa, Chris and Elliot – You are all stars!
Lisa – You are on the verge of perfection. You better start yelling and playing around that you’re not perfect all the time. If you’re TOO balanced, it’s a turnoff. You are ONLY 16 years old!!! Get a little rowdy on your playtime and let the cameras see it. It wouldn’t hurt to show that during a song either. People need to know that you can let your hair down and not be afraid of getting dirty.
Kevin – Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re getting noticed as the cute guy and the “nerd” with a voice. You are perfect. You’re too young to try to act older, so you’re perfect and you’re going to turn heads. You’re not going to win, but your life has now changed. Congratulations!
So there you have it. Some already have the X Factor and some don’t. But with a few tweaks here and there, everyone could have it and become memorable long after this competition is over.
Good luck to the top 12!