Oh, American Idol -- we know you're trying to rebound from last year's crappy season of lame, mildly talented contestants, but must you go this route?

All over the Web, fans are abuzz about several contestants and whether they've been "planted" on the show to boost its quality.

First we find out that finalist Jason Castro of Dallas was on the MTV reality show Cheyenne.

Then we learn via several news reports that fan fave Carly Smithson was once signed to MCA, released an album called Ultimate High under the name Carly Hennessy (including the single "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind," above) and that the label spent more than $2 million on a failed publicity push (the album sold in the hundreds. As in around 300).

Now, Blender magazine is reporting that finalist Kristy Lee Cook, best known for her touching rendition of "Amazing Grace," was once signed to Arista and Britney Spears' production company!! What gives, Idol?

I thought the show was about discovering undiscovered talent, not giving singers who once secured (and subsequently lost) major-label deals another shot. Not fair!

Carly's still one of my faves, talent-wise, but does she really deserve the Idol prize if she's had a similar situation before?? I wonder if this online uproar will brew into something more ...

Posted by Farah Fleurima at 2:49 PM | Permalink
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