The Fan-jaya Craze
Read more articles on Movies, visual media and Let Me Share With You.April 22, 2007
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
April 22, 2007
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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A few months ago, I wrote a piece here about the continuing intrigue of the television show, American Idol. In it, I mentioned that a young man was shown refusing to acknowledge to Ryan Seacrest that the judges preferred him over his sister, who also auditioned. It was kind and chivalrous-in this day and age, noteworthy-and I wrote that this was the kind of American Idol we need. It was Sanjaya Malakar I had been referring to, although at that time I was unaware of his name.
Well, if you follow the entertainment media at, you know the rest. He went on to be included in the final 7 contestants, edged out this week. What makes him different from all of the tens of thousands who never got past the first round, and the hundred and fifty who didn’t get past Hollywood week, was that he will become famous and be remembered, but for better reasons that William Haung. When you figure that the odds of being voted American Idol are something like 60,000 to 1, to have gotten this far is spectacular, yet we as a country historically have forgotten runners-up from years past.
I don’t think that will happen with Sanjaya. What, and how, this mere 17 year old has accomplished is still something of a mystery to everyone, which makes him that much more enigmatic. Yes, he played the hair surprise for what it was worth, but every contestant changes their look weekly-and often to their own detriment. Yes, he wasn’t as strong vocally as some of the others, but I’d bet a thousand dollars he still sounds better than 85% of the total country’s population of a billion-some people. And yes, as a performer he displayed a showmanship that the others have not as yet done. But more than anything, his personality, charisma and immunity to the criticism hurled at him are what made him remarkable.
As of this moment, I have no favorite contestant, but I will admit that Sanjaya was the performer I waited to see each week. He was the only one brave enough to sing in Spanish for Latin night, and to dance with Paula. His retort to Simon that Simon was just jealous he couldn’t pull off the Sanyjaya pony-hawk hairstyle was admirable. And his comments that he knew he wasn’t the best singer, but he wanted to show America he wasn’t “that bad” showed a maturity far greater than his 17 years.
Every year, there is always a contestant who seems to get the wrath of the nation; remember how Kellie Pickler was dragged through the mud? I skim not only the Idol message boards but glance at the votefortheworst site and continue to be appalled by the sheer ignorance and rudeness of hundreds. Now, a fair amount say, “Hey, can any of us have done even a fraction as well, singing in front of the world with a different genre every week?” but they are far out shadowed by the idiots who picture themselves as ultimate musical critics.
Throughout my life, I’ve come to the conclusion that the people who rise to the top of anything that they choose to be involved in are those who have the steadiest and most altruistic attitudes. By that I mean they know what is right and wrong, and they don’t stoop to criticism or let it affect what must be done. They put forth 110%, even as adversaries try to knock them down. They keep in perspective that, although what they’re doing is important in its own right, it’s still important to have a little fun.
Most of us have lived longer than Sanjaya and still haven’t learned these lessons.
I became more impressed with Sanjaya the more I saw him, and I believe that building of affection is preferable to becoming more disenchanted and disappointed with every exposure. (The phenomenon happens with a good many performers as well as real people who enter our personal lives, don’t you agree?) To me, it’s like uncovering that a pearl really is inside an oyster, in comparison to the finding that the glitzy, shiny ring leaves your finger green.
In any event, I will miss Sanjaya. I’m sure he will do well. His supporters have seen what I have, and since his attributes are relatively rare, that is why he’s become the most talked-about contestant this season. Hitting notes on key do not make a commendable life. Having the ability to roll with hate, antagonism and still keep smiling does. Hooray for Sanjaya-I was right all along; we need an “Idol” like him, although we’re too cynical realize it.
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