March 31, 2006 2:12 PM
American Idol - Stylists Run Amok
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the stylists who work with the contestants on American Idol have gotten just a little too heavy-handed? I can't remember a season where the contestants seemed so obviously dressed by someone else. And how about the week when Bucky's stringy long country boy hair had been huffed and puffed into Jessica Simpson-style frothy waves? How ridiculous.
It's really been irritating. And I have to say this years contestants, though they seemed like the best lot yet in the beginning, have been very disappointing and uninspired. Mandisa did a gospel song and Simon said it was "indulgent," which many Christians might find difficult to understand. But when Chris screamed that Creed song at us, Simon said the same thing to him - and explained that it was after all American Idol and there are unspecified boundaries that it's almost rude to cross. I also agree with critics who point out that a white woman carrying as much extra weight as Mandisa (say three or four times her ideal weight) would not have made it into the finals.
I liked Chris until this week. But Creed on American Idol? Give me a break. Paris makes me tired and I do wish she would stick with the more modest approach she started with and not try so hard to imitate the big bad girls currently setting bad examples for girls. Kellie Pickler seems to have also picked up the idea that she has to flaunt herself to get the votes and Kathryn is clearly exploiting her curves each week.
I still like Taylor and his good-natured attitude. With him I get the impression he less in love with the idea of being American Idol and more in love with music.
My random thoughts. But please, someone tell the stylists to let the contestants be themselves. That's why they got chosen in the first place - because they were unique individuals. Slight improvements okay. Big changes not okay at all. And judging by the performances, maybe they all need to be spending less time on appearance and more on vocals.
For an ironic view, check out Clothes Cacophony at American Idol from today's Washington Post.
Posted in Culture, Current Affairs | Permalink
Comments
All I want is for Bucky to go home. Really. That's all I want.
(And I don't want to hear any more shouted angry songs. And I don't want the singers to follow the cameras with their eyes. It's disconcerting and distracting.) Okay, really, that's all. For now.
Posted by: Mel | March 31, 2006 6:03 PM
I could be the president of the Taylor Hicks fan club! I really like him and my husband has picked him to win! He reminds me of Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and the like. Definitely missing this in the music world these days. He's so unique and fun to watch, not just listen to. (Though I'm happy he's sticking with his hair, his stylist is getting a little too ryan seacrest on Mr. Hicks...)
Posted by: Laura | March 31, 2006 10:13 PM
I totally agree! With all of it.
Posted by: Amie | April 1, 2006 7:51 AM
Barbara,
I enjoyed your commentary on Idol. I've watched this season probably more than any other season. I guess I've come to expect the transformation in all of the contestants' "looks". It's very amusing because of course the stylists want to treat all of them as 'projects' (which I can't completely blame them since i'm assuming it's their passion), and then at the same time each contestant has to re-invent themselves in some new way or else they'll be touted as "boring". Man how tough that would be. One week the judges are saying, "You've really come into your own and you know your strengths" to "you're predictable each week."
And i definitely agree that Paris is far too young to be playing the 'bad girl' thing. For one, she's talented enough not to have to do that, and secondly, it's just creepy. I think she'll always have that young-girl face anyway so she doesn't need to go there.
Found your blog via Jeff Edmondson at NPH. (I'm your graphic designer for Dirty Dancing at the Prom. ;-) It was my first book cover for NPH a year ago, had a great time with it. Didn't catch you at CBA this last spring like i had hoped. stop by my site anytime too. http://bhilldesign.com
Posted by: Brandon Hill | April 4, 2006 2:30 PM
Mel and Laura - I agree!
Brandon - of course, as an artist you would understand that right away - the stylists making 'projects' out of the contestants. That was illuminating.
And you are so right about the judges. How about when Simon told Chris, "That's what's great about you - you know who you are and you don't compromise," then the next week he told him if he didn't compromise, he'd never make it Huh?
Thanks for your work on my cover. I visited your site and it is very, very cool. and startling :)
Posted by: barbaracurtis | April 4, 2006 3:56 PM
