Why I Still Watch American Idol
“THIS is American Idol” still gives me chills, the iconic entrance from Ryan Seacrest. Admittedly, I have been watching American Idol for 10 years and it is the only show I keep up with. I cry every time I watch. At first, I was.. embarrassed by this. The show was very popular amongst my friends back in grade school and we would compare favorites. This was during the Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen eras when I would fan girl over the cute singers and the bold voices.
But American Idol fazed out and my close friends stopped watching and I felt like I was the only one that stayed a fan. I started to share American Idol with roommates, family, significant others, and whoever I could get into it. I leave the show singing myself and feeling like I’m a star (sorry for anyone else who had to listen to this).
The new season (22!) just started and I realized I am proud to still watch the show and want to share it with others. The show has changed over the years but still has the same essence and essentials: The cheesy auditions, sob stories, one of the judges making fun of someone, and another saying inspirational things. But the main hook for me, and the reason I keep watching after all these years, is the consistent stories of hope. I love getting inspired watching the joy on the auditioner’s faces when they get a yes. The contestants are from all over America (and even the world) with different backgrounds, stories, singing capabilities, and motivations. Some have gone through tough life situations and get up there in front of America vulnerable enough to share their stories. Each episode is a message of hope, always leaving me feeling inspired.
The judge trio of Katy Pery, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan is a sweet spot, adding so much to the show, the perfect trio that feeds off each other well. Katy is well-spoken and offers witty commentary and funny remarks while also being open and emotional with the contestants. Lionel is caring and wise, like the father of the group. Finally, Luke is charming but also firm. I like how they don’t always agree with each other, for example, one judge will like someone while the others may not. But they come together in their mission to find hidden talent. There are contestants from all different professions, from a mortician to an ex-pro-football player, with all sorts of singing abilities, it amazes me how some people are out there hiding these talents!
One of my all-time favorites was the winner of last season Iam Tongi, from Hawaii, who had everyone in tears during his audition. He sang a song for his dad, who passed away before the audition and who got him into singing. It might have been one of the most beautiful singing I ever heard. Luke says to him while he is choking up before singing, “When you love so deeply, you feel so deeply”. I rewatch this video every once and a while and it makes me cry every time. It is so beautifully done. At the beginning of the audition, Tongi explained how he was ‘priced out of paradise’ and had to move to Seattle. Luke said, “We’ll fix it to get you priced back into Hawaii”. Well, Iam ends up winning American Idol, and I hope he can do whatever he wants now.
That is the beauty of the show, he was humble throughout the whole journey, seemingly amazed every time he made it through another round. The singers that go the furthest are usually those who do not expect to make it and have someone else talk them into auditioning for the show. I am always surprised by the great talent of people who then claim they have never sung for anyone before.
One of my favorites so far from this season, Ajii, talks about growing up in Brooklyn and the city being his teacher. His parents immigrated from Pakistan and ended up in New York and now their son is trying out for American Idol, possibly about to become a star. He works as a security guard at a nursing home and would walk around the halls singing when someone heard him and told him to audition. Watch this contestant perform and then watch his lip quiver (at 4:28) listening to Lionel tell him he has talent. It is beautiful to watch the judges be so supportive and uplifting to people with big dreams who never even believed they were as good as they are. This is why I watch this show, to see the humbleness of some people, and the way the famous judges support and encourage them, and then see the grateful emotions on their faces.
Not only do the singers come in with stories to tell, but they also write songs about their stories and share them on Idol. Here are a few songwriters who shared their stories:
A singer who wrote and sang a song for her brother who was battling depression and had some suicidal thoughts, called “I Still Need You”.
A singer who wrote a song about eating disorders called “Skinny”.
This most viewed American Idol audition is about the effects of media on a young girl called “Clog in the 21st Century Machine”.
These are heavy topics and show how music is an incredible tool to process emotions and life challenges when it can be too difficult to handle. Haven Madison said, “I convinced myself I didn’t have anyone to talk to, so I talked to my piano”. This music then transcends the personal and connects with people all over the world who can relate to a similar pain.
A final reason I still watch and love American Idol is that after traveling to many other countries, I search for specific ‘American’ things I can identify with and be proud of when I am elsewhere. I am proud of American Idol and the inspiring contestants that go on that show. It is an example for me of the American dream, where you can go from nothing to something big, with hard work and some good luck.
If I can’t inspire you to drop everything and go do Workaway in Cambodia, hopefully, I can still get you to watch an episode of American Idol. Go watch an episode, airing every Sunday, and let me know what you think (and tell me which contestant is your favorite). I am inspired every time I watch American Idol and I hope you will be too!
