foxes on idol: why everybody loves kelly clarkson (sept. 2002)

8/14/2019 Foxes on Idol: Why Everybody Loves Kelly Clarkson (Sept. 2002)

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Foxes on IdolSeptember 6, 2002

Why America Loves Kelly Clarkson?An Average Viewer’s Opinionby Linda Dougherty

Why do so many people love Kelly Clarkson? Let us count theways. Better yet, let us look back and see how Kelly stole ourhearts throughout the competition.

The only reason she was there is that a friend believed in her talent and filled out thepaperwork for the audition. She’d already given Hollywood a shot and returned homelike 99.9% of the other disillusioned hopefuls who venture out to L.A. in search of their dream. She had friends who believed in her more then she did herself. WhenAmerica met her on American Idol in June, she was just a working class girl takinganother shot at her dream.

She didn’t stand out in the round of 30. None of the judges picked her to make it.

Hell, Simon barely remembered her; but she got through to the round of 10. She waslittle, cute and perky, but somehow dwarfed by the other more dynamic personalitiesof the group when we first met her. She was the underdog, and America loves anunderdog.

From the first night of real competition when she got up on a stage in front of arather loud audience, three judges ready to critique – not to mention a few TVviewers – and belted out her song, we sat in our living rooms and took notice of thatvoice. Strong, deep, a real crooner’s voice. We found out afterwards that she barelymade it through the performance, suffering from a severe case of laryngitis. Wow,the girl was good, and a collective thought emerged across the homes of Americathat this might be the girl to watch. At work and play we began deliberation, we hadbecome the talent scouts for the nation’s newest superstar, and she was looking like

an okay bet – a little dorky but humble and sincere. Her little giggle was kind of endearing and of course, she still seemed like the underdog so we love her for that.

As the competition progressed, she seemed to blossom. Always dressedappropriately for the night of competition and more relaxed for the result nights. Shewas trendy enough for a 20-year-old, yet didn’t smack us in the face with ardent sexappeal. So women weren’t busy dissecting her body flaws and men weren’t rendereddeaf and dumb by her killer bod. This allowed us to actually see her. Her eyestwinkled and her smile lit up her face. Oh, and we loved the fact that she didn’t dollup for the promo spots on the show. God, how refreshing to have someone in thespotlight that actually allowed us to see the way they really are. Forget the X-factor,she had that “every girl/woman” thing going and we love her for that.

She was earnestly taken aback when her performances were given good ratings andwe were thrilled because this validated what we discovered after that first liveperformance. Yes, we were definitely on to something. She was gracious to theaudience, beamed when someone shouted out her name, and just overall looked likeshe was enjoying herself. She shed a tear when a close contestant got the boot andwe loved her for that.

Each week she seemed to get more and more solos during group performances,solidifying our talent scout instincts. She took risks with her song selections but



wasn’t stupid enough to go where she’s not comfortable, even for “Mr. Music” BurtBacharach. We loved that she made her own decision about what to sing even if a

judge didn’t like it. By now everyone knew she has a phenomenal voice, even kicked-off contestants were singing (no pun intended) her talents during their media blitzes.

As we settled into August, she had really grown on us. We found ourselves rooting for

her during each performance. We were comfortable with her all-business attitudewhen she performed. Then, after running these kids ragged for weeks on end, theproducers change up the program and make them sing two songs for competition.We were delighted to hear her twice but have developed maternal/paternal instinctsand begin to worry about her health and the strain on her vocal chords. But true toform, she didn’t disappoint us and delivered a knock-out performance of “ISurrender.” We swore we could hear her vocal chords bleeding during theperformance. She showed us she could deliver even when she’s down. What weloved about this is that afterwards, she was more excited that her friends made it toa show than the fact she made it through the performance.

Then we were shaken up when her fiercest competition was eliminated for one badperformance. By now Kelly had gained our full backing to win and we had invested a

lot of energy into our television relationship. The stakes were high and although weloved her for it, she actually spoke the truth when asked how she was feeling aboutthe contest. She mentioned she was tired, oh no! This was just what the media andthe competition’s camp was looking for. She’s not polished. She’s real and honest.We loved that about her but would it cost her the title. America debates the issue.

Our worry was all for naught as she hung on and made the final round. Those of uswho’ve been faithfully watching have become very protective since we discoveredher. We watched as they dragged these kids all over the country; MTV awards, TRL,

Talk Shows, Radio Shows. Oh come on let them sleep a little would ya!! This isn’tgood for their vocal chords. Then we find out they need to learn new material andsing an additional song for the finals. The stress level in homes across the countrybegan to rise. We love her, but would she be able to handle all this? We’ve nurtured

this girl along for weeks now and those producers at Fox were going to kill her beforeher big night! Once again our worry was needless as she delivered her most powerfulperformances during the finale, and turned two kinda-cheesy songs into surefire hits,one of which will no doubt be heard at many a wedding to come. You could hearAmerica’s collective sigh of relief Tuesday evening, and we loved her for easing ourtension with her amazing talent.

For those of us who had invested a lot of time in the girl this summer, the real payoff was Wednesday night. Competition done and she was on. She poured her heart intoevery performance. You just wished you could hug her mother and say “thanks”when she finished a song. She has an unbelievable voice, what a gift. Thanks Mom.

The production was a little drawn-out but it proved to us how right we were all along.

I mean when the likes of Natalie Cole and Harry Connick Jr. show up, we know we’renot just dorks who sat at home all summer obsessing over the fate of this talented20-year-old. This girl has become ours over the summer and we’re as proud asparents are.

Then in a finale that was positively a real life Fame or Flashdance ending, wewatched this girl get her dream. She held her own through the whole prolonged “whois the winner?” torment, and then closed out the show with her heartfelt song, “AMoment Like This,” leaving a collective tear in the eyes of the American public.



We were beaming with pride in our homes across the country. This was our girl. Shewas the underdog out of the gate and she broke through the pack. She showed usthat grace and beauty and phenomenal talent still appeals more to the Americanpublic than just hip and trendy. We aren’t as fickle as we appear. She made us lookbeyond appearances. She stood up for herself when necessary. She stayed her ownperson throughout the competition and won us over in her unassuming way. She

entertained us. She made people start thinking about their own dreams again. Ascorny as that all sounds, it is nevertheless true. We needed the “good” girl to win. Weneeded a win based on God-given gifts over commercial marketing.

In a time where the outrageous seems to be the norm, she restored our faith inattributes of dignity and class. In a year where we have seen the horrors of hatredtoo closely, we needed a Kelly Clarkson to be our American Idol. She’s our Cinderella.

So that is why we love Kelly Clarkson. Just listen to her sing and you’ll love her too.

foxes on idol: why everybody loves kelly clarkson (sept. 2002)

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