The Downfalls of Being an American Idol Contestant

American Idol is a nationwide craze. Little did anyone know the proportions it would reach, unlike so many reality television shows that fizzle out after only one season. Others have tried to duplicate it's superstardom like "So You Think You Can Sing?" and others that we'll never remember the names of. However, we have all come to see that being an American Idol contestant isn't a walk in the park. Heaven forbid you have any skeletons in the closet if you were to make it on the show. They will all be hung out to dry at one point or another, which can either skyrocket or put a regretful end to your career in the business.

Take Antonella Barba from this current season of American Idol 6 for instance. All of a sudden she's on the show and provocative pictures of her came to the surface. According to Barba, the pictures were personal and never intended for public viewing. She does not want to be portrayed that way now and never will want to be. American Idol tries to keep a squeaky clean image but it becomes more and more obvious every season that this is not just about the music.

Even more so, the contestants are picked based on their talent and individuality. However, once they get into the top 12, they are forced to fit into box when they have to choose from a list of Diana Ross songs to perform. Now for someone whose specialty genre is rock and roll, how do they win votes with a song that they're not passionate about, like per say, a Diana Ross song?

The contestants are made to sing different genres and artists that they are not well versed in throughout the season. Would Van Halen be caught singing country music? Or would Tim McGraw sing death metal? Or would you find 50 Cent jammin' to the stylings of big bands? Look at American Idol 6 contestant, Blake Lewis, the infamous beatboxer. Did you see him try to perform to Diana Ross? It was not his style and his performance was terrible. Now would you accredit that to him or the fact that he had to sing to a style of music that he had no passion or rhythm for?