The End of the WGWG Era

Reality show veteran and Popstar machine, American Idol returns on air for its 12th season. We're getting close to seeing our Top 20, but before that I have something important to say... 

*drum roll please*

Goodbye, WGWG!!

The future Season 12 champ is going to be a girl! (I got my eyes on country cutie Janelle Arthur) 

Calm down! Calm down! Let's get organized. For those out of the Idol loop, WGWG is short for "White Guy With Guitar", a collective term for the past five American Idol winners, who are Caucasian and can play the guitar. You don't say? And if you still have no idea, the WGWGs are: David Cook (Season 7), Kris Allen (Season 8), Lee DeWyze (Season 9), Scotty McCreery (Season 10) and Phillip Phillips (Season 11).

People have been complaining that being a WGWG is the only requirement to win, vocal ability not required. Don't get me wrong. I love my WGWGs, most of them. David Cook is still one of the best American Idol winners, along the ranks of Kelly and Carrie. I hate that people use WGWG not as an adjective but as a derogatory term to pigeonhole these past winners, when in truth they could not be any more different. Don't believe me? Give 'em a listen!

 David Cook - Rapid Eye Movement (This Loud Morning)

Kris Allen - Blindfolded (Thank You Camellia)

Lee DeWyze - It's Gotta Be Love (Live It Up)

Scotty McCreery - Write My Number on Your Hand (Clear as Day)

 Phillip Phillips - Gone, Gone, Gone (The World from the Side of The Moon) 

Idol has prided itself on being “The Search for the Next Superstar” but we all know Idol is not just a talent competition, it's a popularity contest. If it were based on talent alone, Melinda Doolittle, Pia Toscano or Elliot Yamin would be champs. But since the majority of Idol viewers are women, it is more likely to get a male winner. And hey, rock music is really popular now so we can’t really blame the voting public for the eventual winner. Home was pretty successful, I heard. Sold more than a million copies, not a big deal!

This isn't to say that TPTB aka The Powers That Be haven’t been trying to get a girl to win. Of course they wouldn't just do an all female season! That must be the first sign of the end of the world, right? Since Season 10, Idol has been pimping the likes of Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano and Skylar Laine to win, albeit unsuccessfully. From increased air time to flaming barrels (see Skylar’s performance of Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You) and sparkly dresses to drop-dead gorgeous, they've done it all.

So why has Idol failed to produce a female winner?

Two words. Excessive pimping. Yes, we get that Idol is trying to steer us into picking a female winner but its failure stems from basically shoving these ladies down our throats. The voting public still wants to feel that they are part of their journey and part of the selection process, the beauty of Idol. And overexposure can be counterproductive. 

For this season, you can see how Idol is subtly hinting at the greatness of Angela Miller, Kree Harrison and Janelle Arthur, to name a few, but never giving them significantly more airtime than the others. They tease us enough to be interested but don’t feed us too much that we barf. Also, notice how most of the male contestants are soul singers or balladeers? There isn't a sign of a rocker for miles, I mean, that is the only logical reason for them to eliminate Johnny Keyser, right? forgive me while I wipe away my tears of agony

But Idol better watch out for Paul Jolley. Sure, he doesn’t play guitar (at least, not that we know of) but his nervousness during the earlier rounds is endearing. Plus, he is a decent country singer who could achieve greatness with the proper coaching (I’m looking at you, Iovine) and his vague resemblance to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine doesn’t hurt either.  

So, anyone willing to bet against me?

We Will Always Love You: Concert Review of Jessica Sanchez Live in Manila with Special Guest Colton Dixon

Blujays, Jessica Sanchez fans, and Messengers, Colton Dixon fans, names penned during their stint on the hit show, American Idol, flocked The Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Valentine's Day to see their idols, pun intended, perform once again, barely five months since their American Idol Live Tour in September 2012.

Colton Dixon and Jessica Sanchez promoting their concert during a mall tour

Energetic Opening Act

Dixon singing Rise from his debut album

There was a strange calmness in the audience as we waited for the show to start, so the moment Colton Dixon, with his trademark mohawk opened the concert with the aptly named “Noise”, a song from his debut album, "A Messenger”, I expected the crowd to rise to their feet. Instead, the audience remained unresponsive and seated despite Colton’s charismatic energy as he worked the stage with the occasional headbanging and feet stomping.

  

The definite standouts during Colton’s WAY too short 30-minute set where those of him playing the piano and singing tenderly. He delivered the poignant Rise, an inspirational song he wrote and a cover of “Everything” by Lifehouse that were so honest, heartfelt and raw that I couldn’t help but swoon. His six-song set left me begging for more so somebody better bring this guy back soon.

The Little Diva

After a short intermission, the crowd was finally treated with what they've been waiting for as the pint-sized Jessica Sanchez, who placed second on the 11^th Season of Idol, emerged on stage in a silver ensemble complete with sparkly skyhigh boots, sang a cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, an odd and underwhelming song to open with.

The 17-year old Filipino Mexican’s first headlining concert featured twelve songs ranging from the King of Pop’s “Human Nature” to Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie”. The diva let out her inner Beyonce as she tackled the singer’s “Love On Top” oozing with confidence and stage presence. The powerhouse singer then dedicated a soulful rendition of Adele’s “Someone Like You” to the couples in the audience. I’m not sure if Jessica got the memo but isn’t Adele the patron of the brokenhearted?  

Standout Moments 

Special guest Colton then joined Jessica on stage for a duet of Skylar Grey’s "Love The Way You Lie", a song he sung on Idol. Vocals? Check. Chemisty? That’s another story. The singers barely looked at each other during the entire song and went on to sing as if they were doing solos. It was awkward to watch.

Sanchez wowing her fans with Ikaw

Jessica was a vision of perfection as she emerged in a white gown accompanied by a lone spotlight, singing the first few notes of her highly anticipated rendition of the Filipino song, “Ikaw”. While I wished I could understand what she was singing, the crowd still roared in applause, delivering the first of many standing ovations to come. A valiant effort to return to her Filipino roots but she may have bitten off more than she can chew.

Her voice was uncharacteristically raspy which made her struggle belting out Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and the Dreamgirls hit “I Am Telling You”. The whole time I was on the edge of my seat wondering if she would hit the notes, and she did most of the time.  Her superb vocal acrobatics which barely made up for her lack of emotional investment in the songs still impressed the audience as her Idol covers were met by standing ovation after standing ovation.

Glimpses of An Artist

The concert got boring towards the middle so I was more than happy when she sung “Fairytale”, a song from her highly anticipated debut album. The age-appropriate Bubblegum Pop song showcased her carefree and fun-loving personality, something we haven’t seen much of when she sang all too many ballads and serious songs on Idol. It has an insanely catchy chorus and Jessica was obviously having fun as she danced around the stage, a vibe that we would hopefully expect from her album. 

                                                                     Sanchez dancing along to Fairytale

I left The Big Dome loving Colton but feeling indifferent towards Jessica. She is a talented singer, without a doubt, but her focus on hitting the right notes and staying on pitch stood in the way of her establishing a connection with the audience. Seeing her live, I wanted to go on a musical journey with her, instead I was treated to a contrived set of good covers here and there. But I have to remember that this is just the beginning of this 17-year old’ s long career in the music industry and she has a lot of time to improve on her craft. Given the opportunity, yes, I would like to see her perform again just to see how she’s grown as an artist. But until then, We Will Always Love You, Jessica