Singing competitions are not the new thing in the world of television. We get to hear the contestants belting out with their singing prowess, and the judges would soon comment on their performances. American Idol is one of those singing competitions on TV that are much awaited. Ironically, we get to watch AI because of Simon Cowell’s comments that are sometimes, or most of the times, rough. Audiences would get to the edge of their seats when he’s about to open his mouth and comment on a contestant’s performance. Years after, American idol faced various competitors such as America’s Got Talent, The Voice, and X Factor. With Simon Cowell leaving AI’s judges table, many became substitutes until Jennifer Lopez soon filled the spot for $10 Million Dollars.
The show faced its counterpart, X Factor, with Simon Cowell as one of the judges, along with LA Reid, Paula Abdul, and Pop Star Nicole Scherzinger. The show faced a tough competition with The Voice, along with Adam from Maroon 5, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, and Pop Sensation Christina Aguilera. Their team-up was so talked about, having the credibility of the show well received. It was unique to see a line-up of artists from different genre, act as judges in one show. Aside from the show’s unique format, Christina Aguilera’s fat pay check also became the talk of the town, as she received $12 Million dollars for Season One, which was 2 million dollars more, than Jennifer Lopez’ pay on American Idol.
Then here comes the Season 2 of X Factor. Back with the vengeance, they opt to face The Voice with Christina Aguilera’s biggest competitor in her music career, Britney Spears. Simon Cowell was in talks with Britney for months, until she finally said yes for a total of, wait for it, $15 Million Dollars. And that was only for one season. To top it off, X Factor added another Teen pop sensation to sit beside Britney. One of the most trending celebrities on Twitter, and a former Disney star, Demi Lovato, gets to be the newest judge, eliminating Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were the Season One judges.
It doesn’t end there. As 2013 is about to open, American Idol announced Mariah Carey to be the newest judge for a whopping $18 Million Dollars, just for one season. It seems like the producers of these Singing Competitions are filthy rich for spending millions, just to get some judges. But what are they really after? Is it the judge’s commentaries from these renowned artists in the music industry? Is it the names of these artists to, hopefully, attract more ratings? Or is it both, for show’s credibility, and publicity’s sake?
When we look back on American Idol Season One, the judges were just Simon, Paula, and Randy. They produced one singing sensation, who I personally believe is the greatest American Idol among all season’s winners, Kelly Clarkson. They opened doors to other greatest singers, like Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, and many more to mention. Did they tend to forget that it’s the contestants who are the real star on the show?
Other great singing competitions should be famous as well. Let’s name some few. There’s The Sing-Off, an acapella singing competition, there’s also Duets. Let us not forget that it’s the contestant that needs to be judged, and not the judges that need to be recognized.
Whatever happened to the American Idol winners when Jennifer Lopez filled the AI spot? Where is Melanie Amaro when Nicole Scherzinger was one of the judges of X Factor? Who is the winner of The Voice Seasons One and Two, and where are their singles right now? As X Factor Season Two’s about to open, are they really going to watch whose competing? Or will they watch it because of Demi Lovato and Britney Spears’ mere presence?
What about you? Is it really necessary to get the biggest pop stars to judge a singing competition? Do you think they were up for the show’s credibility? Or it all goes down to the rating’s game?
ʙᴏɴɴᴇ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴛɪᴛ 