The American Idol Voters Are Not Women Haters!

When the results show for the Top 9 contestants of American Idol Season Ten ended, it ended with everyone in shock. Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez were all fuming mad with the latter judge in tears. Pia Toscano was sent home. Pia Toscano, a frontrunner, and the best vocal singer out of the entire group. In the aftermath of this result theories have been flying about why she was dropped off so early. Why didn't she get the votes? A popular theory, and one also supported by previously voted off season ten contestant Naima Adedapo in interviews, is that teenage girls make up the majority of the American Idol viewers and are the ones picking up the telephone to vote. This theory goes on to talk about how girls get jealous about other girls and develop crushes on the boys and only vote for them. I disagree.

The theory that females cannot get far on American Idol because jealous teen girls are not voting for them is easy to dismiss; just look at the results for the first nine seasons! American Idol season one was won by Kelly Clarkson, very much a female. Season three of American Idol was won by Fantasia Barrino and then the very next season, four, Carrie Underwood won the competition. Jordin Sparks was the winner for season six, making the number of female winners: 4. Four female winners out of nine seasons, that doesn't sound like a precedent for teen girl prejudice to me.

Woman have not only won American Idol four times, but look at who made it into the top two on the finales. Fantasia was paired off against fellow female singer Diana DeGarmo, Taylor Hicks had a female opponent in Katharine McPhee, and season nine winner Lee DeWyze was put to the test against finalist Crystal Bowersox. Where is the lack of women getting into the finals or near the finals?

I would lean more towards believing conspiracy theories that the voting is rigged by producers than I would that teenage girls are voting out of spite against female competitors on the show. I think Pia Toscano got a raw deal, but at the same time, even though I think she was the best singer, she's not the best personality for television. American Idol is a reality show that does not revolve purely around talent. I do not think Pia Toscano would have won the popular vote any way. I think Lauren Alaina for example, exudes more of the right for the show personality that people want to vote for; and she can carry a tune as well. I think teen girls can identify with her confidence issues and are not going to axe her out of jealousy. So, then you argue: "okay, they are voting the more pretty girls off." Lauren is good looking, but I can see what you're saying, but then I counter that with Carrie Underwood winning and Katherine McPhee as a runner up: both very good looking ladies; not to mention Kelly Clarkson isn't exactly chopped liver.

American Idol season Ten will have more stunts pulled, watch, you'll see. The show is doing all that it can to grab sans Simon Cowell ratings and remain relevant against other shows soon to emerge. This season is full of silliness and dramatics, Pia Toscano has nothing to worry about. If she wasn't a vocally trained, actress plant to begin with, then she has a bright future ahead of her and can relax now and get ready for that.