Thoughts on X Factor 11/22/11

I have been trying to cut back on realty TV, and I swore off of reality show competitions after Taylor Hicks won American Idol.  However, The X Factor has become my guilty pleasure lately. I got into watching the show after my little nieces auditioned for the show in Miami. The elimination show that aired last week was pretty typical until the bottom two contestants, Stacy Francis and Astro, were announced. That’s when the reality TV drama started: The promising, young rapper, Astro made an unexpected, tantrum-like outburst.  He didn't not even want to perform after he learned that he was in the bottom two, but he was urged to by his mentor, L. A. Reid.


My first thought was, who does this kid think he is? I mean, doesn’t he realize that this is a competition? The audience is entitled to its opinion of whether Astro is worthy of winning the competition. Just because he feels that he is the best, doesn’t mean that everyone else feels that he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Astro ought to be grateful that he has the opportunity to perform live before millions of people and world renowned judges.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, not available to all.


Then, I had to remind myself that he is only fifteen years-old.   As much as his attitude sucked, if I were fifteen again, and in his position, I might react in the same manner. I think that he was stressed out, frustrated, and might have felt a little unappreciated.  Astro is very good and I am rooting for him, because he is original, creative, and he exudes a surprising degree of confidence for his age. Well, at least he apologized for the outburst. I just hope that he is sincere, and realizes that Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid are only trying to help him. I would imagine that these people don’t have time to deal with someone who is not very cooperative or humble. In the music business, it’s on to the next one, without much after thought.


I was sort of glad that Stacy Francis was eliminated, because I was tired of the crying and runny mascara.  Stacy Francis can definitely sing, but her performances over the last few weeks were totally whack.  Plus, she misled the audience into thinking that she was green, with no experience in the music business.  A bit disingenuous of you asked me.  So, I think that the judges made the right decision in sending Stacy Francis home. Anyways, I wish Astro the best.


Also, fellow contestant, Melanie Amaro surprised me. On the show, she gave thanks to God for seeing her through in her life. It is surprising to me, because the U.S. seems to be a society dominated by secular humanism. We have shifted from being a nation founded on Christian values, to a nation of self-absorbed people, imbued in immorality. Religion has been removed from the public school system and you can’t even mention “God” without getting dirty looks from professors in the public university system. People are free to worship (or not worship) as they choose. At the same time, I think that there is an attack on religion in this country. My hat goes off to Ms. Amaro for embracing her beliefs and giving thanks to God.


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