[kevkrom]

I noticed this week there was a lot of "he's so gay" and I thought other irrelevant comments.

I'm not one to get involved in disputes between posters, but I will disagree that some of those comments are irrelevant.

American Idol is not, and has never been, a "singing contest", no matter how many times they try to say that.

It is a marketing competition, where the contestants are trying to "sell" themselves to a voting (and eventually music-buying) public. Singing well, of course, is a part of that -- a very important part -- but all aspects of the contestant's image matter. Only those with the "complete package" (or reasonably close to it) are going to do well, and it isn't always (or often) that the best actual singer wins.

So look, style, originality, and the ability to connect with the audience matter. A lot. A contestant who comes across as "so gay" has an image problem, and that's going to hurt them in the "marketing" aspect of the competition (and in their future singing career, if any) even if they are the best singer from a purely objective basis.

[nufsed]

I agree, but some of us may want to discuss singing ability and not tatoos or gaydar readings. I commented about the pianist/singer who was featured last night. She whined her way through the contest last year before her lack of ability caught up to here. I usually respond to those who think she was the best singer.

In the end it's the difference between britney spears who doesn't have the chops or Christina Agiuilara who will be around much longer.

[Netizen]

Everything you said is so true. Often the judges talk about the ‘whole package’. Gayness does matter. If they don’t believe it, maybe they should ask Aiken.