My Top 5 Perspective
Yesterday, an article came out for the New York Times that claimed to rank “The Top 5 Most Talented ‘American Idol’ Contestants Ever.” Obviously, this is all based on the opinion of the writer. There was no poll conducted or anything like that. Nevertheless, I made the list!
Fact: I don’t normally read articles like this
because I never know what they’re going to say, but the link had been tweeted
to me so many times, I gave in and clicked on it. Imagine my surprise when I
found myself #2 on the list…sandwiched between the flawless Kelly Clarkson and
the amazing Jennifer Hudson. Rounding out the list were Carrie Underwood and Nadia
Turner. I was in the company of ‘Idol’ royalty!
Then, my eyes drifted to what this particular
writer thought of me. His exact words were…
“The rare artist who benefited from “Idol” pushing her into
unfamiliar genres (her rock rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Have a Nice Day” killed),
but a postshow retreat into safe soul territory has made her a footnote in the
music industry.”
In all honesty, my first reactions were of
disappointment, hurt and embarrassment. I decided not to “retweet” the link to
the article and tried to pretend I never saw it. However that “footnote”
reference would not leave me alone. So, I did what I always do. I prayed about
it. What happened next is one of the many reasons I am so grateful for a God
who loves me dearly. I began to be reminded of the awesome things I have been
blessed to do as a result of being on American Idol. From performing at The
White House, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame and so many other amazing places…to becoming an author and speaker with my
own book “BeyondMe”…to traveling
all over the country singing my heart out…to being a part of life-saving
efforts for children both domestically and internationally…I have absolutely
LOVED every opportunity.
In the midst of me being reminded of how
thankful I was to be doing what I love for a living, a chapter of my book came
to mind. It’s a lesson my Mommy taught me when I was younger. Chew the hay and
spit out the sticks. (I grew up in Oklahoma…we’re country! LOL!) This approach
to criticism is both difficult and rewarding, because you have to be willing to
be extremely honest with yourself. So, that’s what I did. If I’m being honest,
the NYT writer was correct. I love that ‘Idol’ pushed me into so many
unfamiliar genres and it did open new possibilities for me vocally. I never
knew there was a rocker in there. J However,
I definitely did retreat into a safe soul territory with my CD. Whether that
was my choice or not, doesn’t matter to the writer. He was just merely stating
a fact. So, in “chewing the hay,” I had to agree with him and decide if I
wanted to do anything about it. While I’ve always been told a CD should be one
genre so as to not confuse the audience, I now tend to give more credit to the
audience. My voice is soulful and It will be on any style song you hear it on.
So, there’s your continuity. Genre is free game. J I can’t wait
for you all to hear the new music we’ve been working on. Now, for “spitting out
the sticks.” What he describes as a footnote, I describe as bliss. I hear what
he’s saying and I can now say it doesn’t bother me. I see that he’s comparing
me to others on his list of 5 and in sheer comparison…I get it. However, my
life and career are my own and I am so grateful for how things are going. Can I
do more? OF COURSE! Will I do more? YOU BET? Will it be to prove him wrong?
NOPE. It’ll be because it’s what I’m supposed to be doing. Will him being
proved wrong be an added bonus? MAYBE. Hehehe…
I wrote this blog to be real with you guys.
There are always things in life that will attempt to bring you down and may
succeed for a while. Learn to chew the hay, spit out the sticks and live your
life they way God has planned for you…not for anyone else. Comparison happens,
but at the end of the day, you will do your very best at just being you. I know
it’s cliché, but it’s truth. So, be real with yourself and as much as you can,
work on seeing the best side of all things. Your perspective makes all the
difference.
So, today...I’m in the Top 5 Most Talented
‘American Idol’ Contestants! That's pretty dang cool if you ask me! Woo Hoo!
posted by Melinda Doolittle at
9:24 AM
8 Comments:
Great outlook Melinda!
I am so glad to see your well deserved recognition in the authors top 5. That is awesome on its own! However, he put Nadia Turner over Fantasia, Joshua ledet or Adam Lambert, whom I think pretty much everyone would agree they would be up there on that list.(in the comments for that blog Adams name pops up like 6 times already haha). So his perspective is not 100%. So take that negative with a grain of salt. There are lots of fans out there and alot of Idol maniacs out there that remember all your extremely memorable and great performances you gave us on Idol. You are part of a group that represent the golden days of the show, when celebrity judges and drama and white male rocker syndrome was not the dominant part of the show. And I loved your CD and listen to it still. My only wish for you is that the studio did a better job on balancing the vocals with the band/backup vocals, and polished the quality of the sound a bit more. Cannot wait to hear your next music, and hope you give a concert or do a show in NY someday soon!
Your position in the top five is certainly deserved, although I have a difference of opinion with him on at least two of his choices. That isn't important. You are doing YOU magnificently and I am so glad that I get to enjoy your music and your knowledge and persona on Idology. Thank you for pushing yourself to do Idol in the first place and for being the Melinda Doolittle all your fans love!
Exquisite response. I would expect nothing less from you! I wasn't watching Idol when you were on so have gotten to know you and your music since then and have great admiration for both. You rock! Good job. :)
you, my darling, are surley one of the top. I am glad that was recognized. I always get angry when people claim idol contestants "haven't done anything". success is not always measured by number one hits. you, melinda, have changed lives. you've donated your time, heart, and dollars to very important causes. you've shared a stage with legends. you've performed at famous venues. you've landed a leading role in Joseph. you've toured. you've written a book. you have a scholarship in your name. all of those accomplishments scream success to me.
I know you know this already but I am super pumped for the music you've been working on. I know it will be outstanding.
Keep on doing your thing. You have our support and our love. I am so proud of you.
One of the biggest - and most important - things I've learned in my journey to get my books published is this: nobody can define success for us. They can try, and surely they can contribute to our own definitions, but at the end of the day, we have to live our passions for ourselves. You do that so beautifully with your music, with your career, with who you are and what you stand for ... and that's something to be proud of always. I love that you follow the path YOU want to ... it inspires us all to do the same! :)
What a beautiful post, Melinda. You certainly deserve to be on that list, but you don't deserve to be called a footnote. That's absolutely ridiculous, and obviously uninformed.
As an artist, you're being true to yourself by following your heart. And the fact that you chose not to be pushed in a direction by the industry for purely capitalistic reasons proves that. One of the amazing things about you is how humble and honest you are. It was patently obvious on the show, and you continue to demonstrate it.
In no way should you take that article as criticism. Instead, I think it reinforces that you're following your own individual path - the one that's right for you. Where the author of that article went wrong was by ignoring your direction and denying the great things that are yet to come from you!
Keep being wonderful. You're an inspiration! =)
Thank you for your honesty!!!! Perspective is a beautiful thing,eh! And knowing Who's you are! amen amen
As far as I am concerned, you are #1 on the list, but I'm content to know that someone has placed you in the top 5 where you deserve to be. Your life is an inspiration, and I expect to see continued success in your musical career. You have handled your life and adversity with grace and wisdom. I am looking forward to the release of your new song.
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