Latinos on American Idol: You Disappoint Me
Few people are as obsessed with American Idol as yours truly.
*Disclaimer: I was a serious Idol hater for years, and I’ve only been watching the show since Season 5–but as I started to get into it, I grew so emotionally invested that when Chris Daughtry was cast off by Ryan Seacrest, I felt like I’d been punched in the gut…I may have even teared a little. Daughtry will forever be the martyr who cemented my absurd infatuation with this show.
Anyway, even though I still can’t stomach the endless audition episodes that kick off Idol each year, once Randy, Simon, Paula and a few hundred hopefuls hit Hollywood, I’m already scheduling dinner dates and girl-bonding sessions around the show’s grueling schedule. This season, I’ve been especially invested because–shockingly–there are a TON of Latino contestants. This has never happened before, and so in my admittedly biased excitement, I jumped right on board with Danny Noriega (So what if he can’t sing?), David Hernandez (Gay stripper? Who cares!), Jason Castro (Colombian stoner dude who screams “Artist”), David Archuleta (half-hondureno teenybopper) and Syesha Mercado (Afro-Cuban powerhouse, and the only chica in the bunch!)
Now Jason, David A. and Syesha are the only Latinos left standing, and Tuesday marked three revealing weeks since the contestants moved into the Kodak Theatre. I love that Jason gave props to his Colombian roots last night and even threw Spanish lyrics into Sting’s “Fragile,” but Simon is right. Jason needs to lay off the um, peace pipe, stand up and SING, and just step us his A-game all around. I get the feeling that he wants to be eliminated so he can still be taken seriously as a singer-songwriter…but if that’s not the case, he can’t coast on his dreadlocks and blue eyes alone!
Then there’s David Archuleta, who in just three weeks has admitted he’s not familiar with the Beatles, forgotten the lyrics to “We Can Work It Out,” and sung some random-ass song by an Australian artist no one knows. Again, Simon is dead on here–David is starting to sound like an extra from High School Musical, and he’s obviously got other people picking terrible songs for him.
Syesha–she’s good, but eh. I hope she makes it far, but something’s still holding me back from texting in my vote to 5703…
…and that something is no longer Jason and David Archuleta. It’s Mr. David Cook. Cook is like Chris Daughtry, only (forgive me) better. I have a feeling he’s not about to proclaim that Live is the best band ever (as Daughtry once did) and he’s not going to do an acoustic cover of Brian Adams (cheese central). In just three weeks, Cook’s done a kickass version of Eleanor Rigby, broken out a vocoder for Daytripper, and completely flipped Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, arguably the greatest song in pop history. All three could have verged on total disaster. All three blew my mind, and that’s why I have to conclude with this.
Latinos on American Idol: I’m sorry, but you’re just not cutting it for me anymore. Please do something, anything outside of video clips of you dancing cumbia when you were 5 (yes, it was cute, but still), to get me back on your side. Until then, I’m going to hedge my bets with David Cook, and desperately hope that the Idol gods don’t sacrifice him like they did Chris.
wow, you are harsh!
Hahahaha….I agree on most things……except Chris Daughtry ROCKS!!!! David Cook is cool but has a bit to go to be a Daughtry!!!!!!!!!!!!
David Cook is awesome….gives me goose bumps. I agree that Jason Castro has to bump up his game. He’s got the talent and the voice. He’s a throw back from the hippie days and those days are gone. Clean up, get up and sing man!
David Archuletta is a doll but too meek and mild. The boy can belt them out…however I agree - the song choices are not good. He is so young that you know he will have many, many chances to become a star. Idol will get him a contract no doubt. The little girls are banking on that!
Ms. Mercado’s voice is awesome but there is just something not clicking with me….don’t know yet what that is.
I think Carly has the best female voice but not a fan favorite I think. The boys are kicking butt……let us not forget Michael. Oh, can he sing??? Yes, he sure does….just can’t get past his good looks to listen sometimes! No eye sore there. Lucky woman!
This year Idol has had the best talent. Hard to see anyone go. I will be at the Idol show to see the top 10 when it comes to my town. My hubby and I are hooked. This year is a definite step-up from last year.
I love IDOL!
Iagree that Chis Daughtry rocks!
And, your right…I said the same thing to my husband….all these latinos y latinas una…but they need to step it up..and represent……..I agree 100%, thats why I love your magazine…straight up real…..
I concur, except Syeesha does nothing for me musically. My husband and I prefer Brooke White. She has that Carly Simon/Carole King vibe and knows what works for her musically.
Regarding the boys, David Cook is the one. He takes chances that no one else ever has and is totally unique. He is and should be the last one standing.
Jason Castro could morph into a modern take on Bob Dylan, but he needs to step up his game. I enjoy him but last week, showed how sloppy his performance skills can be.
As for David Archuleta, granted he has a good voice, but not the maturity and is turning into a one trick pony with those ballads. I just don’t think he has developed the musical range to do anything else. As for last week’s song choice, it is apparent that CSD (Crazy Stage Dad) had his fingers in the pie. I know that I have never wasted a vote on him or any of the other Latinos, except Jason Castro.
Keep up the good work.
I consistently vote for Jason Castro and I think you got all wrong chica. Jason just has that raw talent and is a true musician. Ok, so I’m sucker for dreads - can’t help that - I truly think he has a gift and hey he sang some of the words in espanol - that’s a first - no?
David Cook is a fraud - there is nothing original about him. Chris Daughtry is way better than him - that includes the looks too.
Syesha is good and I support her too. David Archuleta needs to step it up but he is still very talented. I miss David Hernandez - your right…who cares at that fact that he was a gay stripper. That’s none of our business. Boyfriend could still sing! I also miss Danny Noriega - he was so fun and I enjoyed watching him.
One last note…disappointed with Latinos? Where’s the love? Why is it that everytime Latinos are on tv or are in the limelight we are so quick to judge them and criticize.
i love jason castro and i only vote for him
Totally agree with the Latinos, but every song that David Cook has done has NOT been unique… other bands have already done that. Even Ryan said he was doing a cover of that Billie Jean version, but apparently, NO ONE LISTENED!
[…] I’m not talking about you anymore. Though I may have questioned your talents a few weeks ago, you all shone like budding estrellas during Mariah Carey week. Jason Castro, did […]
What I don’t understand is why they didn’t do a latin-music week this time? Afraid having so many latinos would give them an unfair advantage? Well the final four had 3 latinos? David C. looks like he’s got some ethnic heritage as well. But considering how awful latin music night has been in the past on AI it would have been great to see it finally done right? Not saying that only latinos can do latin music but I do imagine it would have been nice.