Jim Varraros: America is Ready for a Gay American Idol Winner

Jim Verraros, a contestant from American Idol Season 1, publicly announced that he was gay after the competition was over for him. He is now hoping that a gay contestant from this season wins the coveted title of American Idol.

Should our next American Idol be gay, is America ready for that? Of course the next Idol might be gay, or black, or Latino, or Martian. If that particular contestant can rack up enough votes, they don't even have to be the best singer. While American Idol started as "Pop Idol" in England, with the sole purpose of finding and producing undiscovered singing talent, we take talent shows much more personal in the U.S.

Simon Cowell best described the difference for me this season when one contestant made it to Hollywood and he told them to go out and celebrate with his friends who were waiting anxiously outside the door. When the shrieks and screams wafted into the judges' room, Simon remarked, "That's what I don't get about Americans!" Paula and Randy questioned him about this comment and Simon explained that if a friend of his called to tell him about something wonderful that had happened to them, he would say, "Good job." That's it, nothing for him to get excited about, it didn't happen to him. He explained that only in America do people get so involved with what happens to others (in the context of a contest, of course).

It will not matter if the next American Idol is gay, or blue for that matter, if they have a large enough fan base they will win. This is a big reason why the American Idol is not always the best singer in the competition, talk to Chris Daughtrey and other more talented singers than the winners of their season.

Clay Aiken was the runner-up to Rubin Studdard and was assumed to be gay. This was not the reason for Clay's second place win, Rubin had more supporters call in votes, it is as simple as that.

In conclusion, if you like an American Idol contestant, you had better phone in your vote. This is the only way that they can win, no matter why you vote for them.