01/30/2008
American Idol Losing its Homophobic Attitude?
Let's hope so. This audition is a good sign.
(thanks josh & josh)
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 3:30 PM EST by Andy in American Idol, Music, News | Permalink
Comments
I was really happy to see that too. And less of the gay-baiting of auditioners. Leo was sweet. Hope he's good! As the ONLY Reality series that has never had an *openly* gay contestant this is high time and ovedue. Hope there is at least one Homecoming Queen in the top 12!
Posted by: Strepsi | Jan 30, 2008 3:48:41 PM
Now that's what I'm talking 'bout! Clay who? I'll be rooting for this cutie.
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Jan 30, 2008 3:54:11 PM
never thought of AI as homophobic.. I always saw the judges and Fox equally mean spirited and offensive to everyone, it's their bread and butter
Posted by: davey | Jan 30, 2008 4:26:16 PM
When he started crying at the end of the audition I got choked up. Plus, what the hell is wrong with Paula?
Posted by: wetcnt | Jan 30, 2008 4:31:09 PM
Do we have to pretend this show is anything but glorified karaoke still? With its recent winners getting dropped from their labels left and right, I think its fans greatly overestimate the AI cultural significance.
Posted by: Marco | Jan 30, 2008 4:34:20 PM
He is absolutely adorable and has a wonderful voice. I think I've picked my favorite for the season!
Posted by: Ed | Jan 30, 2008 4:35:37 PM
I'm probably the only person in this country who's never watched "American Idol", but that young man can sing.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jan 30, 2008 4:40:56 PM
I just added a new Season Pass to my TiVo!
Posted by: Caleb | Jan 30, 2008 4:53:35 PM
I've picked my pony. He's darling.
Posted by: David in KC | Jan 30, 2008 4:59:45 PM
Marco, of course we know American Idol is a complete joke as a search for viable musicians. But in the world of television it's still a juggernaut. And that's where it has cultural significance. When this show presents positive representations of GLBT people it's seen by close to 30 million viewers.
Posted by: wetcnt | Jan 30, 2008 5:00:57 PM
wtf is paula on?
and where can i get some?
Posted by: rae | Jan 30, 2008 5:19:06 PM
Yeah, I don't understand what Idol ever did to deserve the "homophobic" label.
Posted by: Mark | Jan 30, 2008 5:47:37 PM
I couldn't reconcile the face with the voice, but it was okay. I'm shocked they haven't created a knock-off version for actors yet.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Jan 30, 2008 5:50:25 PM
It could be some wrong info, but according to insider sources, he didn't make it to the Top 24, which begins the live shows. Too bad - of all the auditioners I've seen so far, he's by far the best male vocalist.
Posted by: jeffreychrist | Jan 30, 2008 5:56:03 PM
Marco
The irony is that the 2 most succesful idolists were not in the top 2 of their respective competitions
Chris daughtry has out sold all idol winners
Jennifer Hudson won an oscar and is in another movie coming out soon
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Jan 30, 2008 5:56:43 PM
AI gets the homophobic label for 2 reasons: 1) The "You're gay!" "No, YOU'RE gay!" "WELL, you're a big queen with bells on, so there" bitchery between Seacrest and Cowell.
2) The presentation of effeminate boy auditioners as freakish or weird. Nelly boys who audition usually are mocked in Seacrest's voiceovers.
Still, Leo is adorable with a terrific voice. He's also handsome, and with a little gym time to work off the pudge, he will be rocking that leather vest quite nicely.
Posted by: Gobear | Jan 30, 2008 5:59:45 PM
Jimmyboyo and Wentct (?),
I get your respective points and I guess I am just a bitch today, but let's not forget that although Daughtry has sold millions along with Underwood and Clarkson, they all suck ass.
Hudson was good in a shit movie. Good, not oscar good.
But hey, that's just my O.
Posted by: Marco | Jan 30, 2008 6:06:43 PM
Yeah but they have their Grammies and Oscar and you don't.
It's so pointless to besmirch these kids' achievements just because you got off the wrong side of the bed today.
Posted by: gabe | Jan 30, 2008 6:22:39 PM
as an older queer, i want to take a little satisfaction that after years of struggle and strife for minority rights, women's rights, gay rights (picketing, striking, boycotting) i and others helped this young man feel unabashedly free to express himself. good luck to him.
Posted by: nic | Jan 30, 2008 6:31:19 PM
they liked him b/c he wasn't a gushing, prancing fag...and he can sing. homophobic disdain on idol (or anywhere else) is reserved for gender transgression NOT sexual orientation. there are plenty of gender conforming homosexuals out there who do not suffer homophobic reactions. partially that is b/c bigoted heteros (who prefer their Gays gushing and prancing) can't even identify them. does that mean Gays should "perform" as "gay" to make the straights comfortable? no.
Posted by: Mark | Jan 30, 2008 7:08:44 PM
I thought this kid was very cute and I was SHOCKED that for once Simon didn't try to crucify him for being gay. I PRAY he & Ryan Seacrest will quit their anti-gay jabs at each other this season, but if I was a bettin' man I wouldn't bet on it.
Posted by: Hephaestion | Jan 30, 2008 7:10:13 PM
If a Jimmy Somerville or a Darren Hayes auditioned, they'd never make it to Hollywood, in spite of the judges claims to be looking for something "individual" or "unique." Anyone with a real high tenor who uses his falsetto hasn't got a chance with them. Of course then they'd also have to win the votes of whoever actually calls in, and that's probably lots of teenage girls who have to have a fantasy of... well, remember Sanjaya and his demographic?
Posted by: KevinVT | Jan 30, 2008 7:46:21 PM
Only if this wasn't on fox! Good luck to this fellow, but I can't bring myself to watch this channel.
Posted by: Rafael | Jan 30, 2008 8:51:28 PM
Wow he was really cute. Keep him away from Seacrest!
Posted by: Ross Gould | Jan 30, 2008 9:10:05 PM
This guy sounds like every other "American I'm-dull" contestant that has ever sung this song at these auditions. So why is he so special? Because he's "openly" gay??
Has it not been argued in the past months, ad nauseum, that we are NOT to show favor to candidates based on race or gender? Is sexual orientation an exception to this rule?
Posted by: soulbrotha | Jan 30, 2008 9:20:34 PM
I gave up on this show long ago and it is now banned from my TV. Nice to watch a little bit of a good scene.
Great to see Paula in familiar batshit crazy form: "Touchdown!" She must have a pharmacist on staff.
Posted by: So Left I'm Right | Jan 30, 2008 10:47:27 PM
You know, I probably wouldn't mind American Idol if they actually sang, you know... GOOD songs. Instead, they sing crap. Crappy crap. The kind of crap that the Important People think is good, but is actually just crap.
Posted by: Ryan | Jan 30, 2008 11:22:37 PM
It was so refreshing to see Leo audition. Sweet guy, humble as pie, and genuinely moved by the appreciation of the judges. I pray he survives the rigors of Hollywood and makes the finals. He's good eye-candy too.
Posted by: Brad | Jan 30, 2008 11:30:20 PM
I'm with Soulbrotha, but maybe just because this style of singing is absolutely not to my taste. I have no problem with the guy himself; he is rather endearing.
Posted by: Paul R | Jan 30, 2008 11:34:06 PM
Also do not forget that AI has earned its 'homophobic' label in the past not only for gay-baiting jokes, mocking femmy boys, but also it is the ONLY Reality show NEVER to have had an openly gay contestant. A couple have come out afterwards (they were told to tone it down during the show), and Clay is now inching towards "asexual" - but considering its 6 seasons, Amazing Race's 12, and Survivor's 16, Real World's 20, its very omission is homophobic. So this is a refreshing change and may usher AI into the 20th century....
Posted by: Strepsi | Jan 31, 2008 4:44:10 AM
What was great about this audition was this guy had humility and did not take himself too seriously. The "homophobic" comments AI made in the past made fun of people that took themselves way too seriously.
Posted by: GWU | Jan 31, 2008 10:33:04 AM
Did I miss something? I saw no where in that video where the guy said he was gay.
Posted by: Bradford | Jan 31, 2008 1:21:56 PM
I think the homophobia of Idol is limited to the American version. After all, the first winner of the original british "Pop Idol" was the gay Will Young. Although he wasn't out until a few months later, it could hardly have been a secret.
Posted by: Fin De Fichier | Feb 1, 2008 11:43:13 PM
omg--what a kween!!!
Posted by: chandler | Feb 2, 2008 3:56:25 AM
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