Kristy Lee Cook: The American Idol Controversy
The new season of American Idol is less than 24 hours old. So how can there already be controversy over the results?
Here’s why: the singer considered to be most impressive last night, Kristy Lee Cook, was under contract with record company Arista Nashville in 2001, and even inked a deal as the debut artist in Britney Spears‘ (now defunct) production company.
This raises an interesting question, in regard to American Idol: Is the show reserved solely for amateurs, those whose singing background extends no further than the local karaoke bar?
Or is it acceptable for Cook and others with a professional history to try out?
At the age of 17, Kristy Lee Cook signed a recording contract. Should this disqualify her from American Idol?
In a bit of an American Idol spoiler, this debate may heat up when Carly Hennessy moves on to Hollywood.
The Irish singer - who producer Nigel Lythgow has gone on record as picking to win this season - was given a $2.2 million marketing and production budget from MCA Records in 2005. But her album went on to sell a total of 378 copies.
Last year, Melinda Doolittle was an example of someone with a professional resume, as a backup singer, who made it all the way to the final three. She eventually lost, of course, to a pair unknowns: Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks.
numerous contestants this season have already had a “failed” record deal, Kristi isn’t the only one. Idol is focusing on “failed” artists in an effort to rejuvenate their career.
Well this year as well as last the record labels have let artists go,its not because they werent good a lot of labels have merged
I think people need to back off, Im almost glad that Kristy Lee Cook didnt make it when she was younger. I would like to hear her music for a long time to come, and the one’s who make it when they are younger usually turn out to be one hit wonders. So this is a blessing in diguse for her and the rest of us who enjoy her voice and talent.
At 16 or 17 its a good thing she didn’t make it. Look at most who have at such a young age. She has put in the time and paid her dues. Just listen to her, she is awesome, unbelievable and deserves her day in the sun. In athletics they seay Never Quit, Well she didn’t! She kept pushing on, and thats what amkes winners She has my vote
I feel this show is for anyone that can sing. The girl hasnt made it yet and deserves this chance. Her voice gives me goosebumps and Im looking forward to seeing her this season. Rock on Kristy!!
I feel that this show is for those who haven’t had a chance to make it. She had a chance and failed let someone else try to make it.
I agree with Lori. In sports, if you sign a contract with an organization - you become a ‘professional’ player. I think it should be the same with American Idol. I thought American Idol was supposed to serve as a catalyst for discovering singing talent - not as a means to help salvage those who have already been ‘discovered’ and failed. If you’ve signed a contract - regardless if you make it or not - you’re a professional! Makes me wonder about the inegrity of the show.
Signing professional failed singers who had mega contracts as artist with record labels is just so unfair to those thousands of folk showing up at multiple cities thinking they actually have a chance to compete or have a reasonable chance. For Idol to pack the top 24 with 9 professional artist is just not what this show has been billed to be. They should be honest about these singers professional backgrounds and expose that fact that they signed contracts with major record labels. Then and only then can the thousands of folk showing up for auditions decide if they want to waste the time to compete. So many great singers are cut in the preliminary rounds and now we all know why. It clear that they are attempting to ensure that America chooses their choice by not choosing great singers in the early try outs.
I agree totally!! To all you out there that have forgot this is supposed to be an amatuer competition not a flopped professionals second chance for free publicity….GREEDY and stupid……especially the blonde that sold her horse to get there after we find out she has had many record deals,,,,yeah right! How stupid does she think America really is?! PEACE
It is pretty self evident that American Idol is fixed and stuffed with more retreads than a tire factory.
There are no less than 13 ringers on AI7 this year. the sad truth is it is all a smoke screen to sell cd folks. don’t believe me? Visit http://www.votefortheworst.com and see for yourself. the public has once again been scammed ..
Jordin Sparks was hardly an unknown, she could have been a plant also. Before AI she: released an album, toured with Michael W. Smith, won multiple contests, and performed at Country Thunder, performed with Alice Cooper, appeared in a compilation album, and MUCH more………. that doesn’t sound undiscovered to me.
Where was Kristy at the end of the show last night (Feb 19th)? Two of the twelve girls were not there.
I don’t think it matters if there are contestants that have record contracts in the past. The show wants to look for the best singer regardless of experience. They are looking for someone to sell albums, for concerts and for TV ratings. They did this to prevent from what happened last year with Sanjaya. I would want to see people with talent get another shot. Just because they did not succeed the first time, doesn’t mean they will fail in the future. Many artists had their first album flopped. I rather see someone with talent win than someone with average talent.
She shouldn’t be allowed to compete. It should be for amateurs only, and other people were kicked out in earlier seasons for having past major label contracts.
Melinda didn’t have a professional recording contract or any ties to anyone affiliated with Fox, AFAIK. Friends and family of Fox producers and those who already had a recording contract shouldn’t be allowed. Nigel and co are tired of supporting complete nobodies, and want to stack the deck in their favor by installing several plants into this season. If they’re not plants, they’re simply plant food in the producer’s eyes. Several talented nobodies were sent home in favor of no talent hacks to serve as fodder for the Nigel Plants. Enjoy the weeding!
Kristy gets my vote!
actually you all are all fooled. they are calling Jordin sparks and unknown. that is a lie also. Jordin has been on America’s most talented kids. Her parents took her out of school to pursue singing. only thing they ever said was she was a plus size model. she went on tour with a grammy platinum artist twice micheal w smith. he is a christian singer ..and big singer. she has sang national anthems at nba, nfl and mlb games. believe me producers of the show calls peoples managers and gives them an automatic audition and puts them through. it’s all about who u know and money.
Why don’t you all stop whining and just sit back and enjoy the music. She has a beautiful voice and we are all better off when she shares it with us.
I just love looking at her. I wouldnt care if she sung like a longshoreman. She is gorgeous.
i dont think that ppl who hav made it that far should b able 2 go on 2 american idol.. yes, it would help their career if they got dropped… but it is not fair 2 the ones that r turned down, who r good singers, who hav never had a chance 2 record.. so ya.. i think they should disqualify anyone who has signed a recording contract and sold more than 1 cd…
Cook is a skank.
I take issue with a lot of you, especially Micelle and Music Lover. Just because somebody had a record deal and doesn’t now doesn’t mean that they failed or are not deserving of another shot. It’s possible that it’s spin as far as her selling her horse, but why would you automatically think that it’s a lie. Do you think that she’s got $$ coming out of her ears?
I’m not going to say who I am, but I will tell you I’ve had a record deal. It was a little before she was signed. I didn’t fail. Everyone at the label got fired and new folks came in which caused me to get dropped and my album to be shelved. I’ve faught long and hard to get another chance. It’s hard to get a deal and even harder to keep one.
Since I’ve had a deal before although I don’t have one now and I work a day job, does that make me a professional or a failure?
Put yourself in her shoes. She got a deal once and is not going to give up because she believes she’ll get one again. She was probably running into the same thing I have run into and said, “Well I’ll give it a shot getting on Idol.” She got on there because she’s a good singer. Would you rather have bad singers that have never been on stage before and look like a nerd, or somebody that can sing, has stage presence, is good looking and has the capability of being a pro?