The first time I saw it, I bought it. But when they replayed that scene, along with the "my daddy's in jail" crying jag, it was clear that Idol was manipulating the viewers almost as much as Pickler herself.
Manipulative or not, it was a great story arc: abandoned trailer trash goes to Hollywood. The lyrics almost write themselves.
And I don't think middle America is paying any attention to the internet barbs taking down Pickler. We're all in a bubble here.
She is playing well out there. Don't think she isn't.