Why AJ Got Ejected on American Idol
March 7, 2007 by cd
There are many theories why AJ Tabaldo was voted off last week on Americanl Idol. I stated on my earlier posts, even before AJ got ejected, that his lack of exposure in the audition episodes will really hurt his chances to get to the final 12. He’s the only guy missing on those episodes and we didn’t even know what audition venue did he came from.
One visitor posted his theory regarding AJ’s ouster. He said something like AJ isn’t embracing his roots. That he mentioned in the American Idol website that he is an ethnic mutt, part Filipino, part Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish whereas he is pure Filipino because his mom and dad are pure Filipino. Filams supported Jasmine Trias in season 3 because she embraced her being pinay. Consequently, they were not as passionate to vote for AJ as before with Jasmine.
American journalist, Scott Garceau, has a more scientific theory on his article in the Philippine Star:
Those who were surprised to see Fil-Am American Idol contestant AJ Tabaldo booted off the hit TV show should by now recognize a familiar pattern that has emerged on the singing contest: voting trends to reflect American electoral habits.
To put it another way: American voters tend to cast their ballots for Idol contestants along the same lines as they elect US presidents.
I’ll go even further: The “Red” States in the US overwhlemingly vote for Republicans candidates, while the “blue” states largely vote for Democrats.
And guess what? All American Idol winners so far have come from the Red states. And so have the majority of US presidents over the past 40 years.
In other words, Southerners arguably decide who becomes US President. And they definitely decide who wins on Idol.
Look at the Idol winners, season by season: Kelly Clarkson (from Texas); Ruben Studdard (Alabama); Fantasia Barrino (North Carolina); Carrie Underwood (Oklahoma); and Taylor Hicks (Alabama).
Not a Blue state in the bunch.
How does all this relate to AJ Tabaldo and other Filipino hopefuls on American Idol? Well, who else voted off Jennifer Hudson and AJ but the bulk of Southern voters? And who else ensured that mediocre talents like Pickler and Bucky Covington, both from the South, stayed on the show so long?
And who ended up putting people like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks in the American Idol top spot?
The same people who voted for George W. Bush. Twice.
…the Herald Tribune last week speculates it’s the lack of cohesive Asian pop identity in the US that has barred them from having their own “thang” on Idol. And since Filipinos are, undoubtedly, the most soulful and successful singers to emerge from Asia, they are the first “cannon fodder” to be sacrificed. Even worse, their dismissal by voters is the most visible, since their singing talents tend to be compared with some of the remaining, shakier singers who are deemed “safe”. Thus, the racism perception is even more pronounced and amplified by the magic of television.
March 7th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I think its more of the fact that AJ didnt get as much exposure as everyone else. Jasmine got better exposure than Camille because of her hibiscus so it helped her go the length that she did.
What Scott Garceau said is right and its starting to make sense now. But on the part of “lack of cohesive Asian pop identity in the US” I do not get. And even if we do have one, and despite its insistence on finding a “new” sound, “new” talent at the end of the day, the US audience will still pick one that is familiar and they identify with. and that is just the saddest thing.
March 8th, 2007 at 12:56 am
This guy does not know what he is talking about. The whole Republican-Democrat argument is misinformed. Even though the South is considered “red”, registered Democrats dominate the big cities in the South. Atlanta for example is most certainly 80% Democrat even if the rest of the state isn’t. It’s not as if Georgia is awash with Republicans — they may have a majority but it’s not overwhelming.
Also, on Idol, anyone can vote MULTIPLE times unlike in presidential elections.
Equating success to race however is the most misleading argument. People vote more for their hometown rather than race. Filipinos supported Jasmine Trias yes, but it was the State of Hawaii that voted for her every week.
The contestants from California have a problem because Californians couldn’t care less about each other — probably too many issues going on. Compared that to Alabama where the biggest thing happening to that state is that they have a hometown boy (Taylor Hicks) representing them on national TV.
Having hometown support is key, but you also have to appeal to the broader audience watching. These are the factors that most likely caused AJ to be eliminated: zero hometown support and no support from whatever demographic he was trying to appeal to.
March 8th, 2007 at 2:23 am
sa LA ang audition venue ni AJ.
March 8th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I guess racial discrimination is the reason why Pinoys, however great singers they may be, are voted off in American Idol. Last year, Jose Penala was voted off in the Top 10 guys week even though he’s way better than 3 or 4 who were safe. 2 years ago it was the smokey mountain girl i forgot her name (starts with S). And the judges seem to point out their appearance rather than their voice. Specially Simon Cowell where likability factor weighs equal to talent.
And look what they did to poor Jasmine Trias. They humiliated her on stage! It’s not her fault that she gained more fans than La Toya London.
March 8th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
its just so sad to think that ha was voted out early…AJ is a brilliant singer..he knows how to play in stage..and knows how to enjoy singing inn stage…AJ is better than the other contestant..For me chris richardson is the best followed by AJ then blake,chris sligh and so on…i wish american idol would have a “wildcard”..which bring agian the contestant ‘on stage’ that was voted out…well but goodluck to AJ…MABUHAY ANG PINOY!!!!
March 20th, 2007 at 1:29 am
The reason why he got voted off? Well, he doesn’t project well, and truth be told, he just acted a bit too flamey on stage. He is a talented singer, and we were sad to see him go so early, but in the end, he’s another LaToya London – good singer, just not interesting enough to keep around.
April 14th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
carrie is most deserving of winning the fourth season of ai. regardless of whether she’s from the south or not.
as for aj, it’s just too sad to see him leave that soon. he’s one of the better male vocalist this season.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
SSFDok