Joanna Pacitti and 'Idol' Ringers
There has been a lot of fuss made recently about contestant Joanna Pacitti from the American Idol Louisville auditions. She has previously performed in a national touring company of Annie and also signed with A&M Records at the age of 16. Her album, This Crazy Life, was released in 2006. It didn't do very well and she was dropped by A&M in 2007.The reason this blog hasn't weighed in so far is because I wanted to devote the time to get all my thoughts straightened out. So here is what I think about Joanna Pacitti's former music career.
First off, I don't care that she performed in Annie as a 12 year-old. There have been oodles of Idol contestants who have professional theatre backgrounds. That is not the same as being a recording artist. It seems like a stupid thing to care about.
Secondly, yes, she had an album released, which is a heckuva lot bigger chance than most people get in this industry. But one album flopping does not mean you have to give up on your dream and start working at Blockbuster. Joanna couldn't get it done one way so she's trying another way. I don't fault the girl for that.
Thirdly, maybe I fault the show a little for bringing in ringers in a competition that is supposed to be for amateurs and undiscovered talent. However, it's not like Idol is letting one of the former Backstreet Boys compete or letting Britney make her comeback on Idol. I had never HEARD of Joanna Pacitti before the other night. She may have had ONE shot at stardom but I repeat that I don't think you only get ONE shot if that's really your dream and Joanna Pacitti is still largely undiscovered.
FInally, I like Idol because I like to watch good singers compete live week after week. I don't really care for the initial audition weeks. I'd rather watch all the Golden Ticket auditions they can cram into an hour than any of the bad ones. What I wait all year for is Hollywood Week and the Top 24 on. And in those phases, I want to see the best singers. Joanna Pacitti can flat-out sing and I want to see her compete.
I just can't get too riled up about Joanna being included in the show.
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I agree with u. I have nver heard of her until that night. Does her previous experience gives her a leg ahead of the competition? it certainly will but I guess everybody who makes it will have a fair shot at winning the title. This early buzz about her will actually help the show get more attention but I feel like its never good for the contestant to be in that position..coz as history shows, early favorites,they never win the title.
Good points,the bottom line is there's been "ringers" for many seasons it's just Michael Johns, Carly Smithson adn KLC from last year were more high profile (as well as former reality stars like Archie, Jason Castro, Syesha,etc.) No one will care about this crap come May when a winner emerges. BTW, no Top 24 this year. It's 36 and the return of the wildcard so get ready for some screw jobs a la Chip Days and Suzie Vulca.
my problem is idol should be reserved for ONLY undiscovered talent. So she shouldnt start working at Blockbuster but she is most likely gonna make it to the Top 12 (b/c Idol's like that) and take someone else's spot. The music industry's a cut throat world and shes at the perfect age to try her hand at college instead of struggling to sing for the rest of her life. Her voice is very mediocre.
She's not taking someone else's spot, she's earning her own spot. Once they're narrowed down to 36, the public votes. So she gets her spot herself.
I remember when I saw her as a guest star in "What I Like About You"... She sang a duet with Ben (David de Lautour) and I thought she was great, so I looked her up online and found her song "Watch Me Shine"... That was it, never heard from her again... So I was actually quite happy when I found out she was on Idol... She has a great voice and deserves to make it... Isn't this what the show is all about? Living the dream?
Yes she should be given another chance Unless you live in Iraq? America is the land of opportunity? right I believe it is. Everyone should do there homework. There are 19 people this year all in top 50 so far who have had experience and maybe more exposure then this Joanna has. SOOO that being said I wish her luck
Joanna Extremely Talented
She Deserves a Spot as well as anyone else who has a Dream.
She Knows how cut throat the Music Industry is and needs a Chance to Really Shine and Exposed to Millions of Viwers
Like Everyone who is Auditioning & Competing.
All You Negitive People Don't have to watch if she offends you in anyway.
I love her to be honest. I have her first album and I knew who she was.
David Cook won last year's A&M.
Do you know that he had an album out before that too? This controversy is dumb. People should just drop it.
Frankly, I'm one of the few who don't usually watch AI.....but I'll be tuned in this year because of Joanna...I loved her as Annie and thought she got a pretty raw deal with the touring company and not getting to appear on Broadway....She's very talented and definitely deserves another chance at stardom!!! You go,girl!
but she screwed up three times in hollywood week! she kept forgetting the lyrics and they still let her in!
yes, i don't think she should have to give up pursuing a music career, but no, she shouldn't be allowed to compete in AI.