America May Copy Britain's Recent Trend of Accepting Plain-Looking Singers

I can't even count on two hands how many references I've made in articles written here that remind people of how many times America has stolen from the British. Mind you, it's been mostly in entertainment; that is, unless an American political figure stole something out of the Buckingham Palace loo or dining room while visiting there as a guest. You can safely say that nearly every classic American sitcom you can name all had a British incarnation prior. But that was always covered up for the sake of making American producers look like creative wunderkinds. When it comes to how America judges society, we're pretty much on par with Britain and the rest of the world. Especially in the world of entertainment, Britain has always sided with America that thin and sexy will always prevail in the physical attributes of whether someone can be successful in the music industry.

All of that might change now, ironically thanks to Simon Cowell who rightly thought Britain had more talent than America. In the British incarnation of "America's Got Talent", we've seen plenty of Youtubian evidence of average-looking people in the U.K. who have immense talent under their skin. Back in 2007, you probably remember Paul Potts on "Britain's Got Talent" initially being thought unfit physically for a career in entertainment, yet could sing opera on par with some of today's greatest voices. After he sold two million copies of his debut album, there was probably a thought in Cowell's head (as well as most music producer's fatter heads) that it was just a fluke.

Now with Susan Boyle becoming a phenomenon all around the world via the internet, the whole game plan may change in Britain's music industry. Perhaps the day will soon arrive when physical attractiveness won't stay around as a prerequisite to succeeding in the British world of music. If Simon Cowell doesn't believe that by now after his mug turned from devil to delight after hearing Boyle's performance of "I've Dreamed a Dream", then he must believe in flukes happening more than once.

There's only one explanation why the plain-looking in Britain seem to have more vocal talent. They don't spend exorbitant amounts of time working on their body so they can focus on developing what's disappeared from the mainstream music industry: The art of voice. Obviously, though, there needs to be a distinction between the type of music Boyle and Potts do compared to the regular pop industry around the world. Popera, as what Potts and Boyle will be categorized under, seems to be joining the fray of Top 40, yet still is expected to find someone with a beautiful voice. Opera aficionados are still carping about the infiltration of Popera, despite some artists in that genre increasingly possessing extraordinary voices that have wide appeal.

So far, Popera has had artists who fit the bill of that and being quasi models as evidenced by Simon Cowell himself who's produced several of them. Paul Potts, however, proved that the voice is what really matters for millions of people. A lot of people miss hearing a classic voice that can be remembered for a lifetime and move people emotionally rather than focusing on a look and a voice that can't really handle anything except what's designed for the three-chord universe of Top 40.

If Britain manages to completely obliterate a trend that's been getting heightened arguments in recent years, there isn't a doubt it'll travel across many a pond. And because America always has an eye and an ear toward anything Britain is doing, part of that plain-looking American talent pool that got overlooked on American Idol could eventually have a second chance.
_____

Where would the likely place be if America decided to follow suit in looking for talented singers who didn't fit the typical look of a pop singer? "America's Got Talent" has turned out to be better than I thought it ever could be, perhaps because it's always gratifying to see offbeat specialty acts gain national attention when they typically get no other exposure. That show will undoubtedly find more average-looking singing phenoms down the road and play him or her up in the media. They already had one Paul Potts clone (Neil E. Boyd) who won last year, outside of not getting as much attention as Potts or Boyle have had already. It was America's first indication, however, that they're willing to accept a plain-looking, overweight singer into the mainstream fray.

Or, it could be just an automatic response from the listening public who automatically equate an opera singer with one who's overweight and not a beauty queen. Luciano Pavarotti obviously started this archetype that will probably last another generation, unless someone fabulous breaks the mold. So far, all of these plain-looking individuals getting attention in music are singing Popera rather than anything else. That in mind, would it be able to work in Pop or Rock?

Going by the popularity and Grammy win of British Neo-Soul singer, Adele, perhaps it will. Then again, we've seen evidence of overweight pop singers in the past who were so berated by those who control the strings and via the media, they were forced to lose weight with intense makeovers. If you go by the evolution of someone such as Kelly Clarkson, though, it may be going the other way. Clarkson's appearance isn't any more glamorous than before now as well as not being afraid to show some heavier curves of late.

Yes, it's quite clear that Britain is now officially in to honoring plain-looking, overweight women and men who have voices like no other. It's unfortunate then that the logic behind America getting on board is still up in the air when you can still see bias of appearance at a local state fair talent show let alone shows on national television. Also, the above point that classically-trained singers are equated with the look of Boyd, Potts and Boyle still makes this case for America an interesting psychological examination.

Ultimately, it'll have to be up to those in control of media. The process of a meme is still used to its worst degree in a corporation influencing every person within the target demographics. Once it becomes cool to buy a recording by an artist who isn't a pin-up model or within the 18-34 demographic, everybody will follow suit.

How ironic it'll be then if the very British Simon Cowell is the lone producer who manages to make that happen in America...

Source:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/arts/television/18boyle.html?_r=1&ref=global-home