Why Has American Idol Contestant Sanjaya Malakar Made It So Far?
His success is due to more than Howard Stern and votefortheworst.com
For some reason, the world cannot seem to figure out how he's made it through the contest thus far. There are plenty of conspiracy theories floating around online and elsewhere. (Take a peek at votefortheworst.com or listen to Howard Stern). But when you think of it, there really are a few good reasons why this 17 year-old young man has made it as far as he has on the show.
1. There Are No More Wholesome Child Stars- Quite frankly, the reason that Sanjaya seems to be winning over thousands of fans is because he represents a type of artist that is currently missing from the mainstream music industry.
Young artists these days seem to have grown up overnight. Their music and lyrics are so "adult" these days that it seems that all the truly wholesome child stars have all but disappeared. Enter the stage, Sanjaya Malakar. His undeniable charm and pleasant disposition have garnered him enough adoration to keep him on American Idol.
2. Sanjaya Really Can Sing- Contrary to popular belief, Sanjaya Malakar has quite a sweet and lovely voice. However, the reason many people have failed to "connect" with him is because he's shy and inexperienced. He is still learning how to project with his voice and perform on stage. Therefore, his attempts at "fitting in" often make him look exceptionally goofy. But when one listens closely to his overall tone, it's easy to tell that Sanjaya is actually very good at holding a melody. The judges all agree that though he needs some work, he is still talented. Audiences know that the young man has a pretty good voice, and they vote for him because of this.
3. Sanjaya Uses His Constructive Criticism- If you've really paid attention week after week, you'll notice that Sanjaya Malakar is also very good at listening to, and heeding the constructive criticism that the judges (and celebrity mentors) provide him. The first week of finals was poor torture for the young singer. The judges all agreed that his lack of experience was virtually killing him in the competition. Their advice to him was to let go, feel the songs, and find his comfort zone on stage. He attempted to do so with torchy hit "Steppin' Out With My Baby" by tying back his famous hair, donning a hat and trying out a few moves. When judges still pushed him to come out of his shell, he eventually dove headlong into an edgy up-tempo rendition of "You Really Got Me" in a following episode. Of this performance, Simon, Randy and Paula were forced to admit that Sanjaya had truly stepped things up a notch.
4. He's Cute- Let's face it. American Idol is in many ways, all about the looks. Though judges have been extremely unbiased in the kinds of people they ultimately choose for the competition, it is universally agreed that America responds favorably to those who are stunning, graceful, extremely cute, or otherwise palatable to mainstream media. In this case, Sanjaya has all of these qualities wrapped up. His broad smile and thick shaggy mane are enough to have young female fans crying in admiration. (Wait! He already did have fans crying...)
5. America is Waiting...- Honestly, one of the main reasons why Sanjaya has continued to score enough votes to keep him in the game, is because America is waiting to see what he's going to do next. Some people simply enjoy seeing what they'd consider "bad" performances because it just happens to be more entertaining sometimes. Others continue to vote for Sanjaya because they sense his potential and feel that he deserves a chance.
It's easy to get caught up in who becomes Idol history and who does not. It can also be agreed that being booted off the show is not exactly a Kiss of Death in the entertainment industry. Each season there are always surprises. This year, it seems that Sanjaya Malakar and his incessantly glowing attitude has been American Idol's biggest enigma.
Published by Ayanna Guyhto - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Transplanted New Yawwwker (Bronx, NY), now living in fabulous Atlanta - plunged into the music industry several years ago; Indie Flick Junkie, lover of all things paranormal--who has a penchant for mindless... View profile
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30 Comments
Post a CommentYay Sanjaya got voted out! HE STINKS!
American Idol is a show of talent,experimenting,and self-finding of ones' true gift to be look at as a role model for the american eye not because you have a cute smile and hair that is adored as if it was like Marsha on the Brady Bunch. What about being fair to the real talent that is giving their all and those who left that should have beaten Sanjara. His sweet self is not the next American Idol material and it's about time for America to say goodbye because it's too close to the end for mistakes and stupid web-sites to keep sending him on. If you look at his expressions in the bottom three when he hears that he is safe even him hisself is shocked. becauase he knows he shouldn't have come this far. And that's that!!!!
Oh yeah...on the last show where he sang "Bathwater", he was definitely singing badly and acting weird on purpose. I also think he said the wrong lyric and forgot his lyrics on purpose also! The chorus sounded great though! Listen to the lyrics of "Bathwater" or look them up on line. It's all about his situation on the show. Genius song choice. Those who get the joke think it's funny anyway! This was his Vote for the Worst performance. A brilliant move, I think!
Excellent article! I see the potential in Sanjaya. You can hear it in his voice. He has a great clear, open tone. His voice is beautiful. He does hit wrong notes at times. He also has a style of singing that is a little off, but it works I think. Just listen to Patti LaBelles' odd scales for another example! In fact, listen to most major artist and you will hear some odd tones.
I think that Sanjaya is getting criticized way too much. It's as if everyone jumped on the badwagon of "badness" because they can't judge singing for themselves. Even Chris Sligh has said that Sanjaya is being underestimated and that Sanjaya can definitely sing.
I am so sick of hearing about this guy. I'm sick of American Idol. The winners get screwed with the contract, the judges try to influence votes with their comments...yeah, American Idol makes me want to barf. But that's just me.
Well, I'm 42, and it's been my observation over the past 20 years that American society has become unnaturally analytical and diagnostic. I think we have lost our basic understanding of common human nature these days, in efforts to find something wrong with anything and everything that doesn't seem just or right.
Best to remember the basics, as I see it.
Hey,, nice well written piece. I was waiting for a hack job-My kids and I watch the show and we always scream when Sanjaya makes it to the next round because he is clearly not quite as talented as the others..that said, it is hilarious watching the reactions of the judges, and the other contestants. I loved the mohawk. Obviously willing to have a sense of humor about the experience, and will laugh all the way to the bank, guaranteed.
There are much better performers than Sanjaya that have been voted off in recent weeks - I think it's a conspiracy! mid_evil_thymz: Amen about the Chris Daughtry thing. Kevin Kreusch: I hope you're not trying to compare Taylor Hicks to Sanjaya - two COMPLETELY different people. Taylor Hicks has incredible talent and don't dare dispute that until you've seen him live (I have seen him twice and he is amazing!). As far as Idol seasons go, I think this has been the worst season yet. I think Season 6 was the best up until the end - Katharine McPhee should have definitely went before Chris Daughtry. But then again, if it had been Taylor vs. Chris, I would've had no idea who to choose because I adore them both! (Chris puts on a hell of a live show also, for the record.)
My guess is that Sanjaya appeals to giggly, pubescent little girls, like the kid in the AI audience a couple of weeks ago and they are probably burning up the 'phone lines to vote for him.
Just as Mark said, back in the day teenage girls were crazy about guys like David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, so I suppose this generation's kids see Sanjaya in the same light. Just like the marginally-talented John Stevenson lasted for quite awhile on a past "American Idol" season before finally being voted off, Sanjaya will also enjoy a few more weeks in the sun, but I don't think he will last much longer on the show.
Hearing howard stren tell his listeners to vote to Sanjaya as well as the push for Sanjaya at votfortheworst.com, has done alot to help him stay on. If...let me say this again...IF this show were a true talent competition Sajaya nor Chris Sligh would have made it as far as they did. But it's not a talent competition...it's a popularity contest.