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Sunday, Jan 24th 2010
If you've had quite enough 62-year-old General Larry Platt's musical rant against belt-deprived boys called "Pants On The Ground," maybe it's time to give the other contestants a little attention.
American Idol's audition week is notorious for three things: gimmicky attention getters in sequins, feathers, and Elvis costumes; tone deaf people whose parents (and vocal coaches) never gave them an honest assessment; and -- of course -- those diamonds in the rough.
But even more appealing than the fantastically talented singers, are the ones with a story. Just as Bob Costas can make you despair over the fate of an Olympic athlete you'd never heard of before their three minute introduction, these little vignettes really resonate. There's just something compelling about folks coming from small and large towns all across America, looking for a chance.
Will Season Nine give America the opportunity to swoon? Here are the best so far!
Vanessa Wolfe lives remarkably close to me, so I had to put her at number one! But even if we didn't share a geographic proximity, she would make the top of the list. Why? Her dollar store dress, her bridge jumping, and the way she says, "aer-o-plane." Yes, Vanessa, I am "serial."
Maddy Curtis is the 9th of twelve children and sister to four siblings with Downs Syndrome. Get this -- three of her brothers with Downs Sydrome are adopted. And, yes, she can sing.
Jermaine Sellers introduces himself as a "church singer," and you can see why!
I think I could file Katelyn Epperly's audition under, "don't tell everyone everything about your business." (Her dad left her mom, so she is understandably a mess.) However, she really shines in her audition.
Angela Martin's tenacity just may pay off. The first time she auditioned, her father had just died. The second time, she went all the way to Hollywood, but had to leave because of a court date. Will the third time be the charm?
Seth Rollins had one more chance, and he took it. The 28 year old has an autistic son whose medical bills are ever-mounting. Will he be able to sing at least some of their troubles away?
Matthew Lawrence disappointed his parents by setting off for adventure, but ending up robbing a bank with a BB gun when he was a kid. This landed him in jail for three years. Will he be able to make his parents proud, after all he's done? Chances are... yes!
Nancy French
Nancy French is an author, commentator, and mother. Her next book, about the year her husband spent in Iraq is due out July 4, 2011. Connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NancyAndersonFrench and follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nancyafrench.
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