Idolizing The Underdog

On May 21st 2003 millions of viewers across America tuned in to watch a fat black guy try to out-sing a skinny white guy, proving that media success (or at least attention) is the Holy Grail that can be attained by “normal” people, not yet tainted by the touch of Hollywood. Of course I am talking about American Idol season two and the controversial discourse surrounding showcasing talent, performers and the aesthetic notions of the pop star. Performers Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard stood at opposing ends of the scale, both representing in their own special way, what the typical male pop star does not look like. Fans of the show rejoiced, finally able to validate the program as a showcase of talent and not propaganda over mindless entertainment. “It was popular at the time only because it was different”, says Aaron Kinney author of the essay The Importance Of Being Humiliated 2003, when he comments on the nature of music being tied so strongly to image that to render a voice without a star aestetic means a flop in the industry. America loved voting for the underdog, but since then, winner Ruban Studdard has lost almost half his body weight and Clay Aiken has been given a makeover and now resembles a more caucasian version of Ricky Martin. It seems there is no escaping a strong hypodermic shot of Hollywood upon checking into the pop scene.