McGinnis: Dear Crystal …
Written by Jeff McGinnis | | jmcginnis@toledofreepress.comYou don’t know me. We’ve never met, though we have some connections in a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon kinda way. But if you ever read this, I hope you’ll receive it as both the thoughts of a writer and the support of a fan.
Because I am indeed a big fan of yours, Crystal. I was dragged kicking and screaming into watching “American Idol” by the 92.5 KISS FM Andrew Z Show (they needed a correspondent), and when it’s on I usually wish I was doing something else.
Unless you’re performing. Your sheer talent breaks through any cynicism I have about the show.
When you take the stage, it is yours. All the audience can do is sit there in awe at how easy you make it look. Surrounded by phony Hollywood glitz and glamour, you shine brightest because your ability is genuine. It’s not a mirage of marketing and hype.
You are the real deal.
That’s why it saddened me when a report came from TMZ which stated you had almost quit the show.
According to the story, only the timely intervention of host Ryan Seacrest convinced you to stay.
Naturally, the FOX Network offered no comment, but your post on “Idol’s” Facebook page seemed to indicate that there was indeed doubt in your mind about continuing. How close you came to actually walking out, we’ll probably never know.
If you did think about leaving, I can understand why. Imagine the pressure you must be under. No matter how seasoned a performer is, no one’s ready to be thrown straight from playing small clubs into playing before millions. You’re dealing with sudden fame, dealing with separation from your son and dealing with the expectations of the world on your shoulders.
The temptation to just get away from it all must be there for everyone.
So, if you were to quit, a big part of me would actually sympathize.
But I really hope you don’t.
Part of my desire to see you continue is selfish, I admit. I already find “Idol” pretty insufferable, and if you left, the talent pool would dry up quicker than a river bed in the Sahara Desert.
But I also hope you stay for what it can mean for your future. As Carlos Diaz has said on Andrew Z’s show, you have already won this competition. Even if the fickle (and often clueless) American public votes you out before the end, you’ve proven yourself a great artist and performer. You have an incredibly bright future ahead.
If you leave, though, it may end up following you in ways you can’t anticipate. That same fickle public might view you as a “quitter,” passing judgment on a situation they don’t even bother to understand. And that may end up hurting the options you have in the days after the show is done. It’s unfair and it sucks, but it’s the way the public (and the entertainment business) can be.
Whatever choice you make, however, must be made by you, and for you. All these concerns are secondary to what this means for you as a person. How has this experience made you feel?
Maybe you’re finding that fame isn’t nearly as fun as they say. Maybe the machinery of a pop music factory like “Idol” is stifling a truly creative and unique artist like yourself.
Maybe you’d trade all the standing ovations you’ve received just to hug your son again.
You’ve made it clear in your time on the show that you have the ability to be an amazing artist in the years to come. As an admirer of your performances, I hope you remain there so that you can reap the rewards your talent can bring.
But only if it is what is best for you as a person, too. Make the best choice for your life and your family.
Whatever that choice is, any true fan of yours will still support you.
And no matter what, thank you for sharing your talent with the world. You have made all of us in Ohio proud, every step of the way. Win, lose or draw, you’ll always be our idol.
Sincerely,
Jeff McGinnis
E-mail Jeff at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.
I just want to say, of all the reports I find and read on the internets, yours was so eloquent, gracious, and so understanding. And I really wish there were more people like you out there reporting, helping and guiding people to see BOTH sides of the story as opposed to what side they want to show so that they can get more readers and cause more drama. I am a Canadian, and I watch and read news stories by other reporters in the States and Canada and I often sit and wonder, “where are the facts? where is the proof, that you are forming this opinion on? And also why are you forming an opinion? Where is my objective, informative journalism?” And then I read your article above, and I felt that even though you were expressing your opinion, you also show us all every side of the issue. Honestly, there really needs to be more journalists like you.
Thanks! :o)
This comment was posted on April 20th, 2010 at 12:55 pmReina
That’s the nicest compliment I’ve received since I started this job. Thank you so very much.
This comment was posted on April 20th, 2010 at 5:15 pm