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'American Idol': Was Haley Reinhart out of line talking back?
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Things got a little heated and uncomfortable on Wednesday night's "American Idol." Haley Reinhart was criticized for her choice of "Earth Song" during the Inspirational Song portion of the evening, with judges Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez coming down fairly hard on her.Haley responded with hurt and angry looks and arguments about why she chose the song she did and why she sang it the way she did. There was then another tense moment when host Ryan Seacrest asked the judges to declare a "winner" of Round 1 and Randy and J.Lo basically said everybody but Haley, to which she audibly responded, "Oh, that's nice." Was she out of line?
I don't think so and here's why. The judges have been riding Haley hard all season long. After Haley's second performance on "I (Who Have Nothing)," J.Lo said they ride her so hard because they know how great she can be. But that's no excuse to mean or rude, and that's what last night crossed over into.
Haley's judges' comments after "Earth Song" were not mean, by themselves. But the judges have been harder on her than anyone else this season, which his particularly obvious and egregious when the panel has been all sunshine, rainbows and puppies to the other contestants.
Stefano Langone, Paul McDonald and sometimes even Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery have gotten praise for performances Simon Cowell would've called rubbish, ghastly, karaoke, cruise ship, theme park, whathaveyou. But Haley is the only one who has been repeatedly raked over the coals.
So if the "Earth Song" comments were an isolated incident, I don't think Haley would've had as much of a problem with them. But it's hard to watch everyone around you be praised week in and week out and have yourself continually beat down. Her frustration was evident and I think that is where her talking back came from.
But then.
To add insult to injury, Seacrest filled some of the down time with asking the judges to declare a winner of Round 1. And that's where things got mean. Instead of acting like they all did well or they could all improve or even, hell, picking one winner and saying the others collectively need to step up, Randy and Jennifer came right out and said that everyone did well except Haley. That was completely uncalled for. It visibly embarrassed and hurt Haley.
What is so maddening is that I've been saying all season the judges need to toughen up and be more critical. But not on just one person!
If you keep beating one person down, how can we at all be surprised when that person finally lashes out? I say good for Haley for sticking up for herself and boo to Randy and Jennifer for picking on her.
What do you say?
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I say screw American Idol and long live The Voice. Idol had a perfect opportunity to step up and become a great post-Cowell show. Instead they've done one thing wrong after another, particularly with regard to the judging or lack thereof. The bias has never been more evident, and it's become too much to take. After the finale in two weeks, I'm done permanently with Idol. Good riddance.
Haley Reinhart comes across as a smug, spoiled Z gen. It was true what Randy and Jennifer told her, it sounded like she was screaming at the end because the song range was simply too high for her. She needs to get over herself. The music industry is tough and unforgiving.
Haley sucks, that's why the judges have been so hard on her. I can't believe she's still in the competition. Get rid of her now!
ridiculous. they are on a show to be JUDGED, for better or worse, so grow up, haley, and live with it. if her performance was good, i would say she had every right to defend herself. but she was awful and screamy and barely ever hit a good note. she needs to learn how to take criticism. also, since the show (TPTB) is clearly grooming people for success - giving them so much more help than ever before - how could they allow her to go up on stage and sing a song so awfully? there's no doubt it was only for one of two reasons: to drum up more votes for her, or to get her ejected from the show...
VERY UNFAIR!!!!!!
Jennifer came right out and said that everyone did well except Haley. That was completely uncalled for. It visibly embarrassed and hurt Haley.
This part is a total lie. Jennifer avoided the question and said they all did great and Seacrest said you got out of that one and then Randy was asked the same question and he picked the others and left out Haley.
I hate when journalists lie but hey they do it for a living lol.
Yea that was pretty uncalled for by the judges. They have been riding her all season long and shes not even the worst one. I really do like all four of these singers.
I must admit that this is the first season where I actually like all 4 of the remaining contestants. That said, it does seem that Haley catches much more criticism than any of the others. Durbin has a great voice but has a tendency to scream the same note over and over again in all his songs, and he never gets a so-so review.You cant blame Haley for her frustration. Win or lose, Haley will go far in her career, her amazing voice coupled with her fantastic looks will see to that!..Not since Carrie Underwood have I voted for any contestant like I do for Haley! keep doin what you do Haley! you are awesome!
Well if the judges critiqued all the contestants then that would be one thing, but they are constantly mean and condescending to haley and completey the opposite with the others. Before you judge Haley watch the entire build up to this mess... She is a great artist who doesn't need to be beat down to show her best. She is far better overall than any other contestant left.