Is America ready for a gay 'Idol'?
No finalist has ever been portrayed as openly gay during the past six seasons of "American Idol." With more details about contestants' personal lives being exposed — both on the show and unofficially online — that could change, and soon.
Or will it be "Idol" business as usual?
"It feels like we're closer now than ever to having an openly gay contestant on the show," says Jim Verraros, who came out after his run as a finalist on the first season of "Idol."
"I'm not here to name any names, but I feel like there are some definite possibilities for this to happen this year," he said. "Do I think it'll happen? I don't know. I hope it does."
On Thursday, the current 16 semifinalists will be narrowed down to 12 finalists, who will perform live each week until the seventh winner of "American Idol" is selected by the voting public. At its core, "Idol" is a singing competition, but finalists' popularity has always seemed to play a big role in who moves forward.
When reached for comment about this story, Fox and "Idol" producers issued the following statement to The Associated Press: "We do not comment on the personal lives of the show participants." None of the current contestants have been made available for comment.
Over the years, however, "Idol" has devoted plenty of screentime to participants' personal lives, ranging from asking intimate questions of the contestants (this week it's "What was your most embarrassing moment?") to aiming the camera at their sobbing significant others in the audience, to airing fully edited segments about their backgrounds.
"The show hasn't seemed very conducive or gay friendly to contestants coming out," says Michael Jensen, editor of AfterElton.com, a Web site about gay and bisexual men in entertainment and the media. "Simon and Randy have not hesitated to mock effeminate contestants and crack the occasional gay joke. It has not communicated to contestants that it would be a good place to come out."
Every season, blogs and message board users endlessly speculate about the sexuality of contestants. Online clues hinting at their sexual orientation often emerge, but Fox and "Idol" producers have never addressed such rumors or depicted openly gay finalists as such on the show or on AmericanIdol.com.
Such speculation isn't new.
Will Young, the first champion of "American Idol's" British predecessor "Pop Idol," was rumored to be gay — then publicly came out following his win. In 2005, a gay personal ad featuring U.S. season-four finalist Anwar Robinson was discovered on BlackPlanet.com. And second-season runner-up Clay Aiken continues to be a constant source of "is he or isn't he?" gossip — though he's always maintained that he isn't.
"Gay people, like everybody, want to see themselves reflected on television," says Jensen. "I think that when a show hasn't reflected that, and goes on and on not reflecting that, it sort of raises the ante, and each season people begin speculating even more intensely about who may be gay."
This week, a video of flamboyant current semifinalist Danny Noriega lashing out against Santa Claus appeared on MySpace and was posted on several blogs. Another video of Noriega singing Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" and rapping about being gay — all while wearing a do-rag — was also posted on YouTube.
"Yeah, I'm gay," raps Noriega in the video. "But you eat hay for dinner, 'cause you look like a horse ... ."
Last week, "Idol"-bashing VoteForTheWorst.com posted photos of scantily clad semifinalist David Hernandez working at gay nightclub Burn, as well as rumors that he was a stripper at Dick's Cabaret in Phoenix. Club manager Gordy Bryan told the AP on Monday that Hernandez did indeed dance fully nude and perform lap dances for the club's "mostly male" clientele.
Club manager Bryan says he did not know anything about Hernandez's personal life while he was stripping at Dick's Cabaret. Hernandez's MySpace profile lists his sexual orientation as straight.
First-season finalist Verraros, who says he was out to fellow contestants and "Idol" staff but not on the show, was publicly outed when an online journal he kept in college, which included comments about dating guys, was discovered. "Idol" producers later asked Verraros to take down the LiveJournal.
"The message boards were so homophobic. The gay-bashing was awful," says Verraros. "It was horrible. They said a faggot would never win 'American Idol.' It was pretty intense. I think it's something you have to expect in this industry, whether it's 'American Idol' or a sitcom or Broadway. It's going to happen the more exposed you are."
Verraros decided not to come out until after the show and the subsequent tour, doing so in the pages of gay magazine The Advocate. Since then, Verraros released his first album, starred in the gay-themed indie film "Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds" and his currently working on his second album.
"Regardless of whether or not a contestant is gay, the talent is there," says Verraros. "That should always come first and foremost."
Is America ready for a gay 'Idol'?
American Idol Rundown: The Top Eight Guys
I'm still not sure I've seen this year's American Idol contestants meet the "best singers ever!" hype, but Tuesday's '80s night performance from the guys was . . . better. Everybody at least seemed to meet a general standard of mediocrity, and a few people went beyond to deliver some of the best performances of the season. It was just in time, too, as the vote determines which singers will become finalists in next week's top 12.
In addition to the songs, we got to hear about the contestants' most embarrassing moments; I wonder if David Hernandez would count being outed as a stripper on his list. Don't forget to vote for which guys are going home, and to see my take, just read more.
Luke Menard — His embarrassing secret: He's been dressed up in a tutu. He came out singing "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" like the touring a capella singer he is, and — OK, here's my question with Luke. Is he using falsetto, or is that his actual voice? Randy said the performance was OK but a little cheesy, Paula loved the chances he took and name-dropped George Michael, and Simon said it was "girly" and won't put him in the top 12.
David Archuleta — In case anyone's forgotten that Archuleta is a singing phenom, his embarrassing moment was about singing in Honduras, having his voice give out, and having his mom run on stage to finish the song. I like the kid, but that made me gag a little. But no matter, since I'm sure Archuleta playing the piano for his incredibly downbeat "Another Day in Paradise" sent the teenybopper girls swooning. That said, it wasn't his best song, and I wish he'd kept playing the piano; getting up to finish the song was just false drama. Randy said it was like watching a concert but there were pitch problems, Paula was glad he missed some notes because it proves he's not a robot, and Simon said he needs to stop being so gloomy.
Danny Noriega — In the course of his embarrassing moment (being tripped at a movie theater), he gave us the phrase TMTH: too much to handle. Then he proceeded to be officially TMTH with his "Tainted Heart" rendition, which was all winks and nods and strutting and funny mouth movements. Watching him is serious sensory overload. Oh, and his hair was streaked purple. Randy didn't like it at the start but appreciated his confidence, Paula told him to keep being himself but minus the purple hair, and Simon hated everything about it.
David Hernandez — Hmm, I wonder what embarrassing stories he has from his past? His was about having a booger on his face at a photo shoot (a photo shoot, eh?). Then he, bizarrely, took on "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," the song with the weird flashback video made popular by Celine Dion. And despite everything working against him, I have to admit that wasn't a bad performance. He's no Celine, but his voice could actually handle a power ballad. Randy said it was pitchy but a good fit for his voice, Paula called him a "great performer" (wink, nudge), and Simon didn't love it but thought it would be enough to get him through.
Michael Johns — He's been a mascot in a kangaroo costume, which might be my favorite embarrassing moment of the night. His "Don't You Forget About Me" was nothing special, but not bad; it seemed like he was at least trying harder than he has the past few weeks. He also looks more comfortable on stage and, again, like he's actually trying to sell the song. Randy liked him but that seemed to be because he thought the original was by INXS (come on, dude! Simple Minds!), Paula said she likes what Michael brings to the competition, and Simon said Michael still hasn't found the right song to have a big moment.
David Cook — He once forgot the second verse of a song in a talent show. Yawn. He came out playing electric guitar for a dark, sort of power-ballad-y take on Lionel Richie's "Hello," and I have to give him credit for the arrangement, which was cool and unusual and utterly disconcerting. However, I didn't love this as much as the judges did; maybe that's my boyfriend's fault for comparing him to a Jack Black character. Randy liked that he got something emo out of a pop song, Paula thought it could be a hit right now, and Simon said it was a brave performance and he loved it.
Jason Castro — He was embarrassed by his hair on a date. (Can't say I'm surprised.) I'm opposed to his cover of "Hallelujah" on principle, but he really could have done much, much worse for himself. He sounded good for the majority of the song — excluding that wavering note at the end; not sure if that was intentionally vulnerable or just a screw-up — and, upon further reflection, he might have been my favorite of the night. Randy gave him credit for attempting such a tough song, Paula appreciated the vulnerability, and Simon called it brilliant.
Chikezie — He accidentally used the women's bathroom — and I have to say, the way he told the story made it more funny than it actually was. He sang "You're all the Woman I Need," which if I recall correctly was his audition song. His voice is like butter, and I liked the arrangement, save for the strange/accidental/unnecessary falsetto at the end. Randy was surprised by the choice but impressed, Paula was a fan, and Simon thought it was good in bits but mostly cabaret.
My favorites: Jason Castro, Chikezie
Should be worried: Luke Menard, Danny Noriega, maybe Michael Johns if his fans assume he's safe, maybe David Hernandez
Going home: Luke, for sure, and the other may be a surprise, but I'm going with Danny.
'American Idol' Crown Their Top 24
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"American Idol" unveiled their top 24 on Tuesday night sending through a few early favorites, but letting go some of the contenders fans had already grown attached to.
At the end of the hour-long program, the top 12 male contestants were revealed as:
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Chikezie Eze
Danny Noriega
Jason Yeager
David Cook
David Hernandez
Luke Menard
Michael Johns
Jason Castro
Robbie Carrico
Colton Berry
David Archuleta
Noticeably absent from the list was Josiah Leming, the 18-year-old Tennessee native who arrived at the Atlanta, living in his Ford Thunderbird.
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On Monday night's two-hour show, the teenager covered British pop artist Mika's song "Grace Kelly," before in another round, he kicked off the band as nerves set in during his rendition of "Unchained Melody."
His strategy didn't pay off and the baby-faced blonde who sounds like former Winona Ryder flame, Bright Eyes, was sent home.
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Also packing his bag was Kyle Ensley, the spectacled young man in a pressed shirt and tie, but he wasn't sent home by a vote from judge Simon Cowell.
"I completely and utterly disagree with this decision," Cowell said as Colton Berry was passed through over Ensley. "I think you should have been given a chance. I think you would have had something people would have enjoyed."
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There were fewer upsets on the female side.
The following ladies made it through to the top 24:
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Kristy Lee Cook
Amanda Overmyer
Alexandrea Lushington
Joanne Borgella
Brooke White
Syesha Mercado
Alaina Whitaker
Asia'H Epperson
Amy Davis
Kady Malloy
Carly Smithson
Ramiele Malubay
