Did American Idol's Danny Gokey Get Pity Votes?
Should Danny Gokey Be in the Top 12?
In an interview by Victor Balta, from Comcast, Danny was asked how he felt about being highlighted. Danny's response, "I have no control over it. Unfortunately, it's a bummer when people are really mad about it. But there's nothing I can do about it."
After Danny sang "Hero", Ryan Seacrest, in a painfully obvious way, prodded Danny to mention Sophia again when he asked what the song meant to him, or who he was singing about. Though it was the night he needed votes, Danny didn't rise to the bait and mention Sophia.
Danny has gone so far as to apologize if people feel like Sophia's death has been shoved in American's face. Danny told reporters, "Honestly, this is a sob story I don't want but it is shaping my life, and it's causing hope for a lot of people. Now I have my mission set in stone." Here is a man, who only seven months ago lost his wife, apologizing to us?
Some bloggers say that Danny Gokey isn't acting properly as a grieving widow. People grieve in different ways. Is it disrespectful of Danny Gokey to be on American Idol so soon after his wife's death? Let's learn the facts.
Sophia Gokey had a heart problem that she had been battling for years. She died unexpectedly during a surgery that was supposed to have a 90% survival rate.
Though his grief was still raw, he decided to follow his dream and tried out for American Idol. Once he made it, rather than basking in his fame, he started a foundation in Sophia's name.
Sophia's Heart Foundation was started to help children. It is a way to provide Sophia's legacy. Is Danny Gokey trying to paint himself as a do gooder? No need, Danny Gokey already served as a praise and worship leader in the Faith Builders Ministry. He already worked with kids. You can't get a much better image than that.
So let's recap. Danny Gokey has no control of they way American Idol portrays him or his grief over Sophia's death. Every appearance he makes shows him smiling and being stoic. Danny Gokey could be out partying or making the most of his fame, but he doesn't. Danny grieves for his wife by creating a foundation in her name, which really is making the most of his fame- in a good way.
American Idol does create bias by showcasing certain singers' stories and antics. Does that mean Danny Gokey used his grief to garner votes? No. Danny Gokey can sing. He is a guy going through a rough time and dealing with it the best way he can. Danny Gokey made it to the top twelve because he deserves it, not because of pity. Danny Gokey honors his wife and his faith with his singing. American Idol voters will agree, Dan Gokey deserved their votes.
Sources:
Sophia's Heart Foundation
Victor Balta, Idol's' Alexia, Michael and Danny Open Up, Comcast.net
Howard Cohen, Why I don't like Danny Gokey part 1, Miami Herald
Published by Rissa Watkins
Rissa is a freelance writer whose first love is fiction. Her contest winning short story has been published in the book "Elements of the Soul", and she is currently working on her first novel. She is availab... View profile
- Danny Gokey Wows America with His Hero Performance: Is He Using His Wife's Death f...Last night on American Idol season 8 Danny Gokey wowed all the judges and America with his performace hero. Is Danny Gokey using his wife's death for sympathy to stay on the show?
- Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, and Danny Gokey Were Chosen as the Top 3 for This We...Season 8 of 'American Idol' Announced its top 3 for the First Week of Competition.
- Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver Advance on "American Idol" on 2/18/09A look at the first 3 contestants to make it through to the "American Idol" final twelve.
- Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver and Danny Gokey Advance on American IdolFirst shocker for American Idol: Season 8 when Anoop Desai goes home early. He may be saved by the wild card. Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver and Danny Grokey all advance.
American Idol Top 36 Round 1 Results: Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, and...The American Idol Top 36 Round 1 results show got off with a bang Wednesday evening.
- American Idol: Season Five
- American Idol - April 11, 2006
- How to Get Tickets for an American Idol Taping
- Who Will Be Our Next American Idol? Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Danny Gokey Shine
- 5 Reasons Why Danny Gokey Will Win American Idol
- Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Ricky Braddy Shine in American Idol Semifinals
- American Idol Top 36, Group 1 Review: Danny Gokey Becomes a 'Hero'
- Danny Gokey started Sophia's Heart Foundation as a legacy to his wife.
16 Comments
Post a CommentSophie wanted him to try out for AM Idol for a couple years- if he had done that, it would have given her so much joy. But then she died, and then Danny goes on tv. It has driven the women I know against him. She died unexpectantly and he still in 4 weeks can plan the trip to auditions and get on with life so well so fast. Maybe someone can understand, but not all of us can. However,our condolences to all who knew Sophie.
In interviews, Danny Gokey always manages to say "my story" about his wife dying. He chose sad pity me help me songs to sing. Yet all contestants say he is a blast, always clowning around- something does not add up here. I suppose he just bypassed the denial stage, the depression stage, the anger stage, the bargaining stage and went straigt to the acceptance staage in less than a month. My fav never got past the top 36 and is a far better singer, Gokey and his story took the spot and he is a mediocre karaoke singer with no creativity and no originality at all. Besides, we have a mutual acquaintance, Danny is nice enoough for a redneck slep, but no class act.
It is hard for some people to get themselves up off the sofa when in grief. The question the ladies at the wateecooler say is it is fishy Danny can go on tv and sing when his wife died unexpectantly. And the songs were all about his story-not about entertaining us. That was the issue them, but no one cares really, it was just talk. My sympathy goes to Danny; ignore idle gossip.
It is a sad story but it makes the emotion he puts into his music that much more real. I believe even if his wife were still here people would vote for him cause the man is very talented and his my favorite from all the seasons!!!!!
Danny Gokey killed his wife for the insurance and publicity so people would feel sorry for his ass. He is nothing more than an already washed up lounge singer who will spend what money you idiots donate to make cd's and they'll end up in the 99 cent bins at walmart.
He is a sociaopath who killed his wife.
I totally think that he should be on american idol. It think it he should not be told how he i doing it wrong. He lost his wife and now he is chasing his dream.what is wrong with that. danny is amazing he deserves the spot in the tp 12. love you danny
Great analysis of Danny Gokey. Thanks.
Who can tell another person how to grieve? That's insane! This man has a fantastic voice, is my #1 pick not only for his voice, but for his character and poise as well. I don't think America is looking at him like a sob story or like he's using the death of his wife for votes. He is a down home guy with morals and values from what I've seen and is coping by using something he loves... singing. Yeah Braddy should still be there too... but don't they still have the wildcard picks? He's not out completely yet.
I think he deserved to be there.
I like Danny... and he is keeping on with the keeping on which is all we can do... good for him!!!!