This is the first year for judges Keith Urban, Nicki Manaj and Maria Carey, while it is the 12th year for never having anything worth repeating Randy Jackson. Unfortunately for viewers but more importantly for the contestants there have been and continue to be two standards for judges. To speak metaphorically the judges have used a fine tooth comb in judging Angie Miller and Kree and the other contestants while using a broad brush with nothing but love to evaluate Candice. This was never more evident than during Wednesday nights American Idol Top 3 competition. The judges seemed to as usual knit pick little this and little that when judging Angie and Kree while the 4 judges fall all over each other showering Candice with kisses, hugs, adoration and glowing complements about how amazing she was performing song 1, 2 or 3. Fact is Candice performances were far from great. Candice had many off center notes in the first song, she was totally uninspiring in the second and her third song which practically had the judges falling out of their chairs fighting to give her a standing ovation was no where near as good as they thought. Listening with headphones, I get no chill bumps and the final note is off period. The original song ”Somewhere” as performed in West Side Story or as performed by Barbara Streisand are still much, much better. While the judges may think they are doing Candice a favor being so nice, however, the fact is she has not progressed at all and continues to give very good performances that need to be gone over with a fine tooth comb the way Angie and Kree have been criticized. First Candice misses notes, second she never looks comfortable moving about the stage, three when criticized and I believe it only happened once during top 4 round 1 she almost burst into tears and took criticism very badly. If Candice almost fell apart under her very light one time criticism what will she do in the real world of music when critics don’t pull their punches and quit blowing smoke about what huge star she will become with sold out concerts and platinum CDs. Fact is we have already seen Candice almost every year of Idol. Tamyra Gray, Rueben Studdard, Jennifer Hudson, Latoya London, Malinda Doolittle, Mandisa and Fantasia all have already offered the same back to church style of singing which is fine for the TV show but holds absolutely no water once removed from the friendly safe confines of American Idol. Realistically can Candice compete with Beyonce, Rihanna or even Nicki Manaj for that matter? The only area I see for Candice is if she wants to be the next Tina Turner, it might work, maybe, but Candice will never go for that genre. All these problems with Candice should have been part of her judging but it hasn’t been addressed. The only time the subject of where would Candice fit in the music industry was breeched two weeks ago the question was totally left unanswered. Candice’s story is moving but compared to Kree’s hardship it isn’t even in the same ballpark. Kree lost both parents way too early and has to handle that situation every day. So why do the judges have a double standard for judging everyone else but basically keep hands off and treat constantly their pet project Candice. It appears as if all 4 judges either are in this together or none have the guts to criticize Candice because they all seem to have private agendas so laying off Candice has become standard operating procedure. Angie and Kree both appear to be much better potential American Idols in the long run but for the short run the judges seem to have already crowned Candice, a very bad choice. The music business is very tough. Angie Miller and Kree are much better prepared for the reality soon to come than Candice. Kelly Clarkson laid the foundation for the first year American Idol to now. Angie Miller could have easily taken over the American Idol mantle and carried it forward into the future. In a shocking though not surprising considering America Idol history of voting irregularities Angie conveniently was eliminated last night. The blame for that can easily be laid at the judges feet, the powers behind the scenes the producers, but most importantly Jimmy Iovine. Jimmy singlehandedly preordained Candice long ago, really the competition stopped for him after that point in time. This selection was extremely questionable. Jimmy had a future star like Angie Miller delivered to him on a silver platter and he picked Candice. That decision will certainly be scrutinized as a questionable move for someone who is supposed to know the music business. Jimmy's dislike for Angie appeared constantly during American Idol, who knows why this started but he never, ever, warmed up to Angie. I wonder why ???? She nailed his song and since she didn't do it at the piano Jimmy gets all upset, whah, whah, whah. Jimmy never woke up to Angie, time to wake up Jimmy, Angie just performed Elton Johns song "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" better than Elton and totally outperformed Alicia Keys, Mariah, Kree and even your already chosen American Idol Candice.
American Idol Judges Double Standard article written by Steve Forrest
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