The fifth season of American Idol is underway, and the media is doing what the media does best: simplifying everything, and, thus, making everything stupid. Business as usual. So, one of this years standout performers is the charming Kellie Pickler. Last years winner, of course, was the very talented Carrie Underwood. Both of these young ladies are blonde, female southerners with a penchant for country tunes, and, all over the web and mainstream media were seeing the headlines which draw excessive similarities between these two very different singers.
Strangely enough, its really a form of racism and stereotyping, though, I havent seen anyone make this argument. Could you imagine, though, for a moment, that these two women were of African American heritage, instead, and all of the comparisons were being made. I guarantee that there would be many a critic crying foul: Youre all a bunch of narrow minded racists! Just because theyre both black females, they have to be clones of each other?
But, its really just that type of thinking at work. Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood are like night and day. And, in my humble opinion, Kellie is preferable in respect to disposition, personality, and, yes, talent. Lets take a closer look at these two women and perhaps youll agree.
As indicated, Carrie is a talented star. Theres no doubt of that: shes sold over two million copies of her debut effort Some Hearts. Underwood is from Checotah, Oklahoma, where she was born and raised on a farm. She attended Northwestern State University; her major was mass communication. And, it came as no surprise to me when I learned that while at Northeastern, Underwood was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and competing in beauty pageants in her spare time.
Underwood is basically a country singer; though, she admits to have been influenced by pop music also. Her musical talent is vast and includes the guitar, piano, and yodeling. She first entered the public spotlight in early 2005, as she auditioned for the fourth season of Foxs spectacular hit American Idol. Simon, Paula, and Randy were quite impressed and Carrie went on to roar through the competition to victory.
The viewing audience was treated to Carries performances of Couldve Been, Piece Of My Heart, Because You Love Me, When Will I Be Loved, Alone, Independence Day, Hello Young Lovers, Love Is A Battlefield, MacArthur Park, When God Fearin Women Get The Blues, Trouble, Bless The Broken Road, Sin Wagon, If You Dont Know Me By Now, Crying, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, Man! I Feel Like A Woman, Inside Your Heaven, Angels Brought Me Here, and Up Where We Belong. I include the full song list to provide a bit of the Carrie flavor. As mentioned, shes a southern, country girl.
Much of the American viewing audience was pretty dazzled by Carrie, and, she has the distinction of not once appearing in the bottom three. The votes rolled in, and, her performances were nearly flawless. But, that was also the problem, almost, for some. Something about Carrie seemed a little too mechanical and rehearsed. Her life seemed a little too perfect. She couldnt help but project a certain snobbish persona. At times, on stage, her nose crinkled-up, she appeared slightly offended, as if someone had just cut the cheese, and the vapors were sullying her pristine air space.
Carrie seemed like an individual who had never been touched by tragedy. The notes were all correct, and the execution was like text book sciencebut, what about that intangible thing that makes the heart zing? What about that quality that you just cant name, but, when its there, oh, you know it! Soulwhat about soul? Sadly, that was always lacking with Carrie, and, many noticed and opted for the deeper, more complex alternative, Bo Bice, who lost the competition by a mere 134 votes!
Do you understand what that means? You see, I didnt vote at all during the finale. But, had I picked up my cell phone and punched Bos number for two hours, hed currently be wearing the Idol crown! So, although Carrie is the official winner, understand, her majority was thin, and many werent taken in by the whole soft-spoken, seemingly na?ve, keep-mentioning-Jesus-and-heaven, kiss the flag, fresh apple pie trip. In fact, the Vote For The Worst website was particularly unimpressed, and they dubbed Ms. Underwood Farmbot, which succinctly describes the mechanical, unemotional, vibe which Carrie projects. When Carrie won, I remember my mother commenting on how hard Carrie was struggling to squeeze out a tear.
Now, you may not agree with this Carrie Underwood characterization. However, many people do perceive her in this manner.
Kellie Pickler, in fact, despite the misinformed comparisons being made, stands in wonderful contrast to Carrie Underwood. Kellie, as many know, hasnt had such an easy time. She was raised in the little town of Albemarle, North Carolina. She lives with her grandfather, because her mother abandoned her when Kellie was only two. Her fathers been mainly in prison her whole life. On the American Idol program, Kellie asks the question which has been haunting her for so long, Why doesnt my mother want anything to do with me? Kellie represents the real world. And, the troubles which haunt her–that emotion!–punches through in each performance.
The world got its first Pickler glimpse on January 24th of this year at her audition in Greensboro. She busted out with Kelly Clarksons hit, Since You Been Gone, and, immediately, the real-deal emotion, passion, and intensity were evident. And, the judges noticed! And, America noticed! The blogs were buzzing minutes later. Well, this is really what Im getting at When Kellie sang the lyrics, since you been gone, whom do you think she was thinking about? Id speculate she was thinking about her parents: Since you been gone daddy. Since you been gone mommy. And, believe it, the raw emotion sliced like a fist through the fog.
On February 21st of this year, Kellie performed Martina McBrides doleful ditty, How Far. Once again, Kellies passionate delivery was unbelievable. Well, lets take a look at one of the lyrics: How far do I have to go to make you understand? I wanna make this work so much it hurts Again, whom do you imagine Kellie was thinking about? In this case, she actually told us in her interview that shed be thinking about her dad when singing that song. And, it showed it showed.
So, perhaps you agree that there are some real differences between Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler. Of course there are! Theyre two different human beings, with different histories, ideas, passions, etc. That should be obvious. Yet, the media, in a stereotypical fashion observes two southern women with blonde hair who love country music and concludes theyre so similar. And, in some offensive cases, even claims Kellie is a clone, intentionally copying Carrie. Well, thats just not so, and, if youd like to see further evidence, visit http://www.kpickler.com.