[Hildy]

I'm in California, so it's not yet. But here's the deal...the first two months they keep saying "be yourself, stay true to yourself," then, the rest of the time they make them be something they're not by having these ridiculous theme nights!!! It makes no sense!

[The G Man]

the first two months they keep saying "be yourself, stay true to yourself," then, the rest of the time they make them be something they're not by having these ridiculous theme nights

Or they tell them "It doesn't matter what song you pick, you just have to get out there and sing it" ... and then they criticize their song selection.

[kevkrom]

the first two months they keep saying "be yourself, stay true to yourself," then, the rest of the time they make them be something they're not by having these ridiculous theme nights

The trick is to force the contestants out of their "safe" zones, push them a little harder, and see which ones are capable of taking whatever style they're given and turn the song into their own personal style. The contestants who change their style to match the theme, instead of the other way around, are missing the point and hurting themselves.