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'American Idol's' Naima Adedapo: Women leaving is 'just the reality of the situation'
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Off-beat Naima Adedapo was just too wacky for the "American Idol" crowd, but we're glad she stuck around as long as she did. She tells the press in her exit interview about how hard it is to be a female contestant on "Idol" and that she's glad she stayed true to herself.About the female contestants having a harder time:
"When it comes down to it, the reality is that more than 50% of the audience is teenage girls and once they get a crush, we're done. They dominate and that's alright, ya know? I feel like [the girls] didn't really have too many conversations about it because we were all pretty confident in our work. It is the reality of the situation and the teenyboppers, once they fall in love ... my audience is the older crowd, not necessarily as technology-savvy sometimes. I would get people saying, 'Yeah, I voted for you three times!' and it's like well, you could vote 500 [laughs] ... that's just the reality of the situation."
On Lauren Alaina taking it hard when Naima and Thia were eliminated:
"She cried a little bit, but that's a natural thing. It's alright to do that. I think it was very hard for her because not only was it like me kind been a mother figure a bit, telling her to have confidence in herself and telling her she's beautiful, but I think even more so it was Thia. That was like her age, they were in school together all the time. They were really close and really tight. It really is like losing a best friend. I had my moment saying see you later to Jacob, that's been my ace, so you get emotionally attached to these people, you start to learn their stories, you start to learn their personalities, and it hurts to see people go."
What was her favorite part of the experience:
"Shopping! [laughs] I think that was like one of the biggest, best parts for me. Performing is everything, but when you get to shop and you get to do the accessories and the shoes, oh my god, I get such a kick out of that ... That was my release time. It was great to kind of co-create things with [Soyon An, the 'Idol' stylist]. She knew my style. She would have stuff hanging on the rack before we even went shopping. That was one of the best parts for me."
On her dancing background:
"I have been part of many dance troupes actually. I used to do hip-hop, but for most of my life it's been African dance. Any African dance company that you name in Milwaukee, I've been a part of. Dancing has always been a part of my life, since I was young, just playing around on the streets in Chicago. I did go to college and study dance, I got a BFA in dance, so I know all different forms of dance. I could've tapped on some ballet if I wanted to, but it's not necessarily my realm [laughs] would've looked a little weird doing pirouettes in a reggae song, but dance is something I'm really connected to. I've always incorporated dance into my performances. I had a reggae band back home with my husband and we always move on stage, it's a natural for us. You have to dance, you have to move, you have to physically be engaged in order to fully connect with the audience."
On the unique style she brought to "American Idol":
"For me, I'm really about staying true to myself. Once I have my mind set on something, I just kind of go out there and do it. I did what I did and I have no regrets about anything I've done on the show and I'm happy to have shown that side of me. I think sometimes people just didn't know where to place me. I felt like maybe they didn't understand me sometimes, but honestly, the reactions that I've gotten from people have still been positive. It's like, 'I don't know about you but I still kinda like you.' I definitely struck people in a different kind of way. I think 'cause it was hard to place me in a certain category, that did have an effect on how people voted or how they perceived me."
"American Idol" airs Wednesday and Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
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The other thing that can prevent elimination is talent. You'll notice Pia's doing just fine. Crystal Bowersox did OK last year. Hey Naima, shut it. You got booted because you weren't any good. And spare me this "being true to myself" stuff. It's American Idol. If you don't want to find a sweet spot and build a fan base, go back to singing in subway stations. Thank you.
Personally, i think she sucked. Im surprised Paul survived. He's the worst of the males(and females). Casn't stand the clothes he wears. Tight pants on a skinny guy makes them look gay. Paul sure does.
Lol Rick, such comments coming from a dude? Why you judging a guy like that? This is about their vocal abilities and star quality not what goes on behind closed doors lmao. Pia cannot sing unless it is a ballad she will not win Idol because of that, they are not looking for the next Dion or Vegas show. Same with Stefano. That's one reason why Thia got cut. It's going to be okay though guys they keep saying "We want the total package" and they have it there on that stage every night and it's not Pia nor Stefano. Naima is good but she didn't hit the market that Idol sells to as she said, I'm sure a record label has already contacted her, no worries. :)
Paul is getting by mainly because of vote for the worst! Rick is so right on with the comment!!! Totally agree!!1 Wondering who Torry thinks has the total package?
@rick
And looking gay is bad, you son of a b.itch?
Anyway, sorry to see Naima go, I really liked her. But she's right about the teenyboppers...
I agree she wasn't great but there hasn't been a female winner in awhile with three winners in a row who were white guys who play guitar that have gone on to have less than stellar careers, so I do think there's some truth to what she said. Guys have an easier time winning the title, but a harder time actually being successful off the show unless they have a niche audience. I can see someone like Scotty being successful, but Casey would just be another Taylor Hicks and Paul a Kris Allen or Lee DeWyze type.
I think she'd dead on with her assessment of the voting audience and the impact on the show. But I disagree with her in that it's ok. It would be if they would follow up the voting with action (purchasing singles/albums) but they don't, and that squeezes out artists who actually would sell because they aim at a slightly different demo.
I'm curious to see what she does. She has a good jazzy voice, and with the right songs I think she'd make some great music.
Naima and Thia were the weakest of the bunch, so no surprise that they got voted off. Hopefully Pia and James will be next, as they are one-trick ponies. Pia can't sing anything but ballads, and she's really annoying. James can't sing a song without screeching at some point...he's a Lambert wannabe, which is pretty sad, as Lambert was a big disappointment.
I'd like to see hard numbers on the demographics for this show. I have a teenage daughter and neither she nor any of her teenage friends have any interest in Idol whatsoever. Sorry to say but it's true. It's the parents watching, not the kiddos.
Naima was what drew me to watch AI, never bothered with it before. As they said, she is a free spirit and has a creative energy that the other lack. She is the total package, but needs someone to coach her to be more professional by the show's standards. She handled such a range of genre's and was a pleasure to watch.
She has a good heart, you can tell by her interactions with the others. I hope she makes something of herself. She is so unique & I was spellbound. AI was never my kind of show, so I have no reason to watch it now. She's not everyone's cup of tea, but hey, I'm the older demographic and appreciated her musical & dance talents.