This might just be my cynicism, but I can’t help but wonder if all the kids in his high school started liking him after he became a finalist, in their opportunistic fame-whore ways that a lot of high schoolers (not all, certainly) seem to possess. I know in my high school, kids were quick to befriend you temporarily if you had done some accomplishment, but they were also quick to forget you after your small wave of fame passed. I suppose if the kids in JS’s HS continue to like him, then that can’t be entirely bad.
Regarding the dedication to his grandmother, how could anyone possibly find fault with that?
Here, pick one of these songs from this short list. Hmm, I can’t do upbeat very well, nor do I have a powerful ballad thing going on, so I guess I’ll pick the only song I’m even slightly familiar with. What, I have to do this interviewy piece about why I chose that one? Guess it wouldn’t be politic to admit that much of the list was released before I was born, can’t really call the guest-judge a relic, hmmm, yeah I’ll just say nice fuzzy things about the nice fuzzy song. Oh, I guess it is a love song, you want to know who I’m singing it to now? Don’t want to put anyone on the spot, start any rumors, embarass myself further…and it was from a movie about a music teacher so it’s not exactly a lovey-dovey love song…ok, I’ll go with the warm fuzzies again, I’ll dedicate it to Grams for giving me my love of music. Yeah, that’ll make her happy and save me from a potential mine field of not saying the right name on national tv, let’s go with Grams.
I can understand folks being upset that (arguably) better vocalists were let go before him, I can agree that he’s at best a one-trick pony, but why all the hating? Thousands of young people auditioned, some better than others but all doing their personal best, the judges chose which ones made it to the finals. If you want to be ticked at anyone, be ticked at all the people that continued to vote for him, eh? Why fault the kid for trying to grab the brass ring and doing his best?
I have far more respect for this guy than any other contestant, for his consistent professionalism, his striving to improve, how he gracefully bore up under an extraordinary hullabaloo of controversy, etc. Sure, other’s might sing better, but he’s exhibited more character, IMO. Not that I was moved to vote for him, my votes predictably go to good singers having good performances, but the total hatred for this kid just confuzzles me.
I’ve been as much a critic of the kid’s singing as anyone, but this “he’s weird about his grandparents” thing is, to put it very bluntly and honesty, stupid.
He’s close to his grandparents, a perfectly normal thing. Nothing wrong with that. It’s been played up by the producers of the show as a way of trying to create a character. If you’re not aware of the fact that the producers of a show will edit to simplify, or that they probably TOLD him to play up the grandparent angle, you shouldn’t even be allowed to carry your own wallet; everything he’s said is heavily influenced by 19 Entertainment, and believe me, they aren’t trying to go the complex, multi-message route.
So he’s quiet and close to his family, no big deal. It’s obviously heavily exaggerated by the show for the sake of making him a more easily identified character.
I’m a little skeeved that we’re talking about his personal life to such a degree, and judging him/praising him depending on a couple of interviews and some quotes by friends.
In the end why has this conversation degenerated into wondering if he wuvs gwamma too much* or is polite and respectful to others? I know I couldn’t care less if he plays Yahtzee or does bong hits on a Saturday night, or whether he was a popular or unpopular fat kid – and that’s speaking as a former unpopular fat kid myself! I’ve got plenty of sympathy for him for that, and FWIW I think it’s absurd to call him pathologically passive unless you can back it up with a doctor’s report.
- To paraphrase a quote from The Truth about Cats and Dogs: Dude, you can love your gramma … just don’t looove your gramma.
Better to focus on the fact that this is a talent contest. And sadly, John S. is untalented – or at least no more talented than your average shlub in high school who played Conrad Birdie to much applause from his parents.
BTW, what I meant by my death threat comment, Libertarian, was that I think 19Entertainment concocted the whole “poor boy is receiving death threats and needs to be protected by bodyguards!!!11” meme for the benefit of Inside Entertainment Tonight’s Extra Edition. This was one stupid joking comment on a radio show, for God’s sake, not a horse’s head placed on his pillow. :rolleyes:
Honestly, is anyone else getting creeped out by the folks who are turning this kid into St. John, the Martyr Who Knew Not What He Was Getting Into? Please. This is AI’s third season, and reality series such as The Real World have been around since before he was born. Who the hell doesn’t know by now that people and the media love tearing contestants apart? Seriously, if he was genuinely surprised by negative comments, he’s even more sheltered than some of his more hysterical critics are saying.
This is a game show for crissakes, who really gives a crap about John Stevens. This time next year we won’t even remember who he is. In fact this time next week after the next episode of AI we’ll forget him. I still stand by all my comments.
This arguing is really annoying! If you guys want to continue slamming each other, take it outside.
John Stevens is gone. Get over it!