Has the Carly Smithson Controversy Peaked? - American Idol 7
The casual interest in Carly Smithson, the most controversial contestant on American Idol 7, seems to have subsided. I've noticed a significant drop in search results for her over the past few days.
If true, this is good and bad news for Carly Smithson. The good of course is that going forward, it will mostly be about the singing. So Carly Smithson can blow us (away) every week and let her vocals do the talking instead of her $2.2 million resume. The bad news is: apparently, her vocals and personality may not be as appealing as we are led to believe it is. Carly Smithson has become the major storyline on American Idol so far with all the pimpage, but the irony is, it is her controversial background that has made her popular, not her "amazing talent". I can count at least 6 contestants who have more loyal fans after one week of competition. Carly Smithson isn't even the most "loved" girl on the show. At least 3 girls are ahead of her. So, either the well has indeed been poisoned or she is the show's smokescreen for who will eventually become the winner.
Anyway, let's see what happens next week.
Just to remind everyone: [START RICKEY BOT]
In 2001, Carly Smithson, then under her maiden name Carly Hennessy, released her debut album "Ultimate High" under a major label MCA Records. Randy Jackson was the VP of A&R at MCA Records at that time. Other contestants have been disqualified because of their past affiliation with the judges, but not Carly Smithson. Her first single was "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind" (a song about blow jobs) and her second single was "Beautiful You". She also recorded "Just Missed the Train" which Kelly Clarkson also sang in her debut album -- I note that here to show that American Idol was aware of Carly Smithson as early as Season One. MCA Records according to a front-page report by the Wall Street Journal spent $2.2 million on Carly Smithson's album. The album was a huge flop selling only 378 copies when it was released. MCA Records abandoned Carly Smithson after her second single was released. As I understand it, it is not true what Carly Smithson said on the American Idol tv show that her record company "imploded" and therefore her record deal did not work out. The facts are: There was a significant investment in Carly Smithson, her debut flopped, they eventually dropped her. MCA Records was absorbed in 2003 by Geffen Records, 2 years after "Ultimate High" was released.
I think Carly Smithson can still generate sympathy from the American Idol audience if they know that this is her second, maybe last chance, after being burned by the music industry at such a young age. She'll come across as a real person that people can relate to. Unfortunately, the signs point to Carly Smithson being the shock elimination this year. Simon Cowell is dissing her right now, but eventually she will be the flavor of the week to win it all, then blam, eliminated.
Dear Carly: Please sing "Just Missed the Train" on the show.
Carly Smithson -- Just Missed the Train:
[END OF RICKEY BOT]
Good news! Carly Smithson's debut album is available now!
Carly Smithson -- Ultimate HighImage: (on Amazon)
Carly Smithson -- Ultimate High (on iTunes)
I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind (on iTunes)