American Idol, Season 6...

"I've been watching Dancing with the Stars on Mondays, and American Idol on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I've been voting for the contestant from San Antonio, Texas, Haley Scarnato. I like her. I like Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks, but I know they will stay for a while. Haley is not the greatest singer in this 6th AI season, but she's from Texas and I developed affinity for Texas in a short period of time because I just love the aura here. There's something about the real Texans! And I love the underdogs with charms and appeal! I came to a realization that American Idol is not a singing contest at this point and time, it is a reality show. For me the excitement for the show is waning, but not until my son gives up watching it (he likes to talk to me about the show and he bugs me to death if I don't), I might as well enjoy and use the show as another tool to make me exercise on my treadmill while watching it. I brisk walk on the treadmill for as long as AI is on. Because music makes me work out longer, than just watching news or sitcoms or dramas."

The above is an excerpt from my Xanga blog about American Idol and I am extending it here, as this is exclusively my opinions about the show from now on.

Whatever Simon says, American Idol is not a singing contest! Grow up Simon, it has never been. There were just good singers that tried for it and won, but it has nothing to do with the voice so much as what the public clamors for... good examples are Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, and Taylor Hicks. They can sing alright, but do not have the longevity and mass appeal to stay on top of the game long after AI.

AI is a reality show first and foremost; most voters are from the south. All the winners came from the South: Kelly Clarkson from Texas, Ruben Studdard from Alabama, Fantasia from South Carolina, Carrie Underwood from Oklahoma and Taylor Hicks from Alabama. Rightly so because most soulful voices come from the south. I'd say that the Gospel music inspired most of the contestants.

Before I started getting down with AI business and watched the last 3 seasons, I checked the top 12 bios. As I am a God-loving person, I'd like to get deeper in each contestants' bios because they reveal of their upbringing and if they give God importance in their lives. As each of us have purposes in life which are Godly directed, whether we know it or not, believe it or not... it holds true with these AI contestants.

Their awareness of God leading their lives will spawn or bring forth true success in their lives. Success is not really rated in the amounts of CDs they sold and money they've amassed in the process. It's their ability to keep their relationship with God intact that would save their day after the glamor brought by stage and lightings and the screams of the audience, the photo and Ford video shoots are gone and over with.

Having said that... my picks for this season basically have to do with what rituals they do before the show and who will they thank first and foremost should they win American Idol.
Top on my list is Melinda Doolittle-- pray and warm up are her rituals, her lucky charm is the Bible, and she will thank Jesus and her mommy. I like that because Melinda is grounded and establishes early on who holds the candle in her life. Although the Bible should not be considered as "lucky charm", it is the most important manual in our life to succeed in whatever we do. Melinda's goals in life are to represent Christ well and do everything 150%.

Jordin Sparks says she prays and breathes, her cross pin with a music note, and she will thank God first, then, her mom and dad.

Lakisha Jones said she prays and drinks cool tea, she doesn't have a lucky charm and will thank God almighty first.

Haley Scarnato said she prays to God and sprays her throat, she doesn't have a lucky charm for the show, she will thank God first, of course and her goals in life are her career in music and live her life fully through God.

In the men's department, I only found two that will thank God first-- They are Chris Robertson and Phil Stacey.

Mentioning God and your connection to Him in this day and age are considered BOLD because as a society in general, we are falling out of grace from God. So I do applaud these brave contestants because their statements about their affiliation with God can either influence or break their connection with the voting public.

Now that I live in the south, I've realized that there are thousands of godly people that live here. They are very articulate in their choices and they may say it's the voice that they go for, but the characters of these contestants are their secret power to winning the public votes or maybe their sympathies; and their strong faith in God is their weapon to achieve success in life, including AI.

Stephanie Edwards who was eliminated prior to top ten, these are the responses in her bios: Her personal goals: To live a life that she won't regret after she's in heaven; she will thank God first if she wins and her rituals before performing: shes prays to God, “If it’s your will, let it be done.” God answered and His will for Stephanie is not American Idol; but Gut has something much, much better for her for her own good. If she stays focused on God, He will show her the right path.

Next blog will be a review on the other previous seasons' contestants bios. Til next time!