» Melinda Doolittle: Gosh, Thanks So Much For Posting! Options

[dismantled]

Even with extra pimping, Jordin's sales will probably level off around the same numbers as Kat McPhee or Diana DeGarmo.

ITA. Someone in the performance thread commented that Jordin seems like she could replace Raven and have a show called "That's So Jordin." I like her, but I think she has a ways to go. A win might actually derail her at this point - it may be better for her to finish close to the top, and have more room to grow.

Also agree that no one in this season's crop is obviously commercial or marketable in the way TPTB measures/defines it. It's also why I don't buy the argument that Melinda shouldn't win because she isn't 'marketable' enough. There is no Carrie, Kelly, Daughtry this year - not even Jordin or Blake. If niche marketing is what is needed for this year's batch, then they should go that route.

In her top 24 video on the official site, Melinda says she'd like to do an album that fuses soul, old school funk and gospel. And possibly it would be called "The Doctor is In." Hee.

Hee! Love the title. Sounds like an album I would enjoy, too. If she won, I wonder if TPTB would let her make the album she wants? Maybe it's time to expand the definition of what an 'American Idol' is - don't they make the lion's share of their profits on the show itself, anyway? - since they already have a Pop Idol (Kelly), a Country Idol (Carrie), and a Rock Idol (Chris, even though he didn't win). Maybe with some image rehabilitation, they can market Sanjaya, too.

[jpeace]

I just see her being another Taylor, where she will do as she wishes, sell well to her AI fanbase, but I'm just not seeing her as viable in the current mainstream music industry in the way Carrie, Daughtry and Kelly have proven themselves to be.

Rock is hardly on the mainstream radar anymore and it’s been a while since anyone from country has crossed over. As for Kelly she is a success but without her Avril Lavigne imitation, I doubt she would’ve survived her career downturn. She knows all about how fragile her career is, perhaps that’s why she’s doing those acne commercials that appear after midnight. I also remember her screechy voiced, desperate to be accepted, you love me, you really love Grammy speech. She is cute sometimes but a powerhouse she is not. As for Melinda just who is her fan base? The people listed above are one trick ponies without the sheer ability that Melinda has.

The current mainstream can be la limiting place but only to those without vision. Melinda is a real woman with a voice that’s uncommon in the pop marketplace. At the time Whitney first hit, the marketplace was dominated by girl groups and MTV rock and she by great talent busted up the norm. Melinda has that same breakout ability.

I've pondered this same thing. There's something "churchy" about her personality (not that there's anything wrong with that.) And the fact that she and Mandisa are friends makes me believe this. She gives off more of a Mandisa vibe to me than Lakisha (I'm talking musically, not politics).

I don’t see churchy in Melinda except for the fact that she’s a sweet person. Most soul, R&B and even some pop singers have been either inspired by or have sung church music. Even Elvis Presley was influenced by gospel music and he definitely wasn’t churchy. For the best vocalist there’s always some level of crossover. Even non-church going singers can end up being inspired by gospel music. All I see in Melinda is a great singer. I don’t worry about what her roots are or whatever. I can see churchiness in Beyonce but I don’t think about it. Melinda is the front runner, she’s clearly the best singer and for people who want to put this spin or that spin on her, the only spin I care about is how good will her next performance be.

[Karlovicious]

I'd actually go so far as to say Melinda could have done well on "Rock Star", the CBS summer show...at least if it were a straight-up talent competition rather than a "how well do you fit with the band" job interview.

Well in a rock band definitely the singing is just ONE component. And I haven't heard Melinda sing any rock songs yet although I suppose R&B is part of the roots of rock 'n roll.

I highly doubt Melinda will really sell THAT many records right off the bat but I think she'll achieve the longevity that probably some of the other Idols won't have. Slow and steady my friends...slow and steady.

[flybye]

I don’t see churchy in Melinda except for the fact that she’s a sweet person. Most soul, R&B and even some pop singers have been either inspired by or have sung church music. Even Elvis Presley was influenced by gospel music and he definitely wasn’t churchy. For the best vocalist there’s always some level of crossover. Even non-church going singers can end up being inspired by gospel music. All I see in Melinda is a great singer. I don’t worry about what her roots are or whatever. I can see churchiness in Beyonce but I don’t think about it. Melinda is the front runner,she’s clearly the best singer and for people who want to put this spin or that spin on her, the only spin I care about is how good will her next performance be.

By "churchy" I don't mean influenced by gospel. I mean some inexplicable "churchy" feeling to her. Sorry I can't be more specific, but - for me - it's there.

See, this "clearly the best singer" thing is bizarre IMO. She's not clearly the best singer to my ears - either I have large deposits of wax, or it's a matter of opinion (your Sanjayjays aside, of course). If it's a matter of opinion, I don't know why it's continually stated as a matter of fact by the media, et al. The effect it has on me is not to root for her and to want to avoid her career - such as it will be - to the end of time. Not her fault, but I'm hoping for an upset.

[yourpointis]

I'm a big fan of Melinda and I too get that "churchy" vibe from her. I don't know how to explain it either, but I don't attribute it to her connection with Mandisa. I don't know if it comes through her mannerisms (although if it's felt that that is related to her humbleness, I don't feel that's an act), her use of the Lord's name a lot, her saying that her lucky charm is the Bible, or her less-than-risque song choices (I understand that people cannot be too risque in song selections since this show is presented as a family show). Something just comes across to me as her being a very religious person (not that there's anything wrong with that). It's subtle, yet not so subtle (if that makes any sense).

[keg411]

Yes, but Mandisa, unlike Melinda, actually chose really really interesting songs. Her problems were more a) her pitch and b) the "comments" she made that alienated a lot of people.

I haven't liked Melinda's song choices since "My Funny Valentine". I thought it was brilliant and up there with some of the best on the show. But since then, she's been supremely 'meh'. And the previews of her recordings are just awful -- either they're picking the worst parts for the previews or there is something about the pro-tools that is just thinning out her voice.

I'm resigned to her winning. I haven't ever LOVED a winner of this show since Kelly (Taylor was a "lesser of two evils" win over McPhee who I despised).

[CherieAmor]

Melinda has a repetoire of gospel backup singing so I would venture as that being the perspective of 'churchy' and to some degree the same for Lakisha...if you're from a specific school of thought. However, being pentecostal I would say Jordin...

and yet Sanjaya sings gospel and few others...it's amazing to me how much church is lauded in this years competition. And yet church/religious influence, which was generally a staple for true singing talent, continually gets the 'drab' treatment. Melinda's just one competitor. She isn't defining gospel, whereas the entire 24 could have been a choir for Up With People.

[Toastress]

Chris Sligh has posted on his blog that

Jordin, Melinda and Phil are the 3 who I know for sure are Christians and we would talk about our faith a lot together...

... so it sounds like the posters who picked up a religious vibe from her are right.

[QuiGonJ]

The wikis for Lakisha and Haley specifically identify them as Christians. Chris R.'s bio says he would thank God if he won the competition, and him being from Virginia, it would make sense for him to be a Christian as well. And as CherieAmor points out, Sanjaya sings at his church, so he's also a Christian.

Being a Christian isn't that uncommon, since Christians are roughly 80% of the populace. I'm happy Melinda isn't alone, and that a top show would showcase so many Christians in one place, even if by semi-random casting.

[My Way]

Chris Sligh has posted on his blog that

Jordin, Melinda and Phil are the 3 who I know for sure are Christians and we would talk about our faith a lot together...

... so it sounds like the posters who picked up a religious vibe from her are right.

Is it wrong for me to think this is just Sligh's way of trying to swing votes to people he likes? I mean, I'm sure Melinda is a Christian but, like QuiGonJ says, so are alot of them including Haley. But Sligh doesn't like Haley (or Lakisha etc..) and he likes Melinda...

Or I guess they could just be the most vocal ones. I do think Melinda gives off that vibe, but it's weird because she hasn't said anything.

I'm curious what she'll be singing tonight.

[Shoes]

I think she flat out sucked tonight. Out of all the songs to choose, let's go back to 1954. I feel like I am watching Quantum Leap instead of American Idol, getting in my time machine and jumping into someone from the past. I know, great music survives the ages. So why the fuck doesn't she sing something from the Medici years. Latin music and nothing else came to mind for her? Melinda will NOT win American Idol, I believed as much three weeks ago, and hold my opinion steadfast. She will be fine regardless of course.

[blackwing]

I did not care for that song at all, but I thought she sounded great. And she looked fantastic! Great dress and great hairstyle.

I think she is still the frontrunner and I think she will be tough to beat. She makes everything look so easy.

[buferlo]

I love her and find it difficult to say anything negative about her, but she seriously has got to add some variety. She's bringing way too much sameness in her performances, and it's only a matter of time before even diehard fans get restless and bored. Need to see the sass of IAW again!!!

[Monique]

Not a Melinda fan, but I will say I thought she looked better tonight.

Did anyone else laugh when Jennifer Lopez described Melinda's choice as a "very old, popular song"? I'd expect nothing less.

[GoldenWoman]

Melinda just lost this competition officially. Way to pick a freaking song!! That was just too old and just too boring. She looked adorable but it wasn't enough. This is also the first time she hasn't been leading in Dialidol. And so it begins she will only make 3rd or 4th place. It's sad but that's how it's gonna go down.