THE #TOP6
My many conversations with the #Top6 in
the next hour confirmed a fact I was almost
sure of after following their individual
journeys from auditions to this stage – that
it takes a lot more than just an enormous
amount of talent to come this far. Despite
their young age (Madison and Laine are
still in their teens!) each one of the #Top6
exuded an attitude that placed collaboration
over competition. None of them harbored
dreams of being the next Idol just because
they felt entitled to it – on the other hand,
they admitted to having spent years honing
their craft just to become eligible of that
honor.
When I asked the 17-year-old Madison
why she would make the ideal Idol, she
said, “ I have put many, many years of my
childhood doing music, and this is my
passion – this is what I really want to do.”
During our chat, the brilliant Alejandro,
who in one of the previous episodes had
expressed his love for the sitar, told me:
“I would love to spend an entire year just
figuring it out.” Wade, on his part, shared
how the journey on the show had been
emotional but fun. Having triumphed
through a troubled childhood, Wade felt
he had a purpose on the show – to offer
strength to those in need. “I am helping
a lot of people’s families. I have people
messaging me saying they finally left that
[abusive] relationship after watching my
video.”
Given the inspiration that each of the
#Top6 on the show carry, it would be fair
to say that American Idol isn’t just selling
a Hollywood dream – it is selling the idea
of empowerment that young, talented folks
need today.THE DREAM TEAM:
WOODSTOCK +
SHOWSTOPPERS
SPECIAL EPISODE!
I was clearly lucky that I got a chance to
witness a rather special episode of American
Idol. Not only was it elimination round,
but it was also one where the contestants
sang their favorite songs from the legendary
1969 Woodstock festival as well as a gospel
track prepared under the guidance of guest
mentor, the renowned singer-songwriter
Lauren Daigle.
A primetime reality show like American
Idol can’t function without a dream team
that ensures it looks every bit its glamorous
part. From vocal training and stage lighting
to thematic costumes and hairstyles, there’s
not one element of showmaking that
doesn’t command meticulous adherence to
perfection on American Idol.
Vocal coach Adriana McPhee, who has
been associated with the show for over three
seasons, says it’s really about understanding
a contestant’s voice and what they can do
best. “It’s an intense process because it is
very fast. When they come to us, we have
to take the song, break it down, make an
arrangement and then you’re on stage a
few days later... But we’re so lucky that
they come to us already so talented so we
as vocal coaches take what they’re already
doing and make them better.”
What is the biggest challenge in picking
the perfect song and ensuring it hits
the right chord? Adriana says, “Everysingle week you’re challenged to pick an
extraordinary song and make the most of
it – it’s a very high-pressure situation – and
at the same time you want it to feel very
natural and a reflection of the artist.”
There’s no denying that a big part
of any global artist’s career trajectory
involves experimenting with their looks.
For tonight’s episode, the contestants have
two wardrobe changes. The Woodstock
section is all fringes and shimmer while the
Showstoppers is understated opulence.
Laury Smith, the head of wardrobe on
the show, says it’s important for the show
to also visually chronicle the journey of the
artist through the course of the contest.
“With American Idol, we like to do a gradual
change – you want to see the contestant
evolve as artist... We have to have a clear
vision of where they are going style wise, so
we do moodboards and then start putting
the looks together. At the beginning it’s
more trial and error but at this point on the
show, they are becoming who they want to
be.”
Dean Banowetz, the head hair stylist
on American Idol believes change is the
constant in an artist’s creative life, “Look
at Madonna, look at Cher – they all keep
changing their look with their sound!” Ask
him about how crafting a perfect look can
also be an empowering thing for an artist,
and he says, “As long as they look good,
they feel better. And when they feel better,
they’re more confident. This season, the
contestants are really open to trying new
things and I like to push it a little more each
week... My motto is: It’s never done until it’s
OSCAR VARGHESE
BOTTOM:
Mentor and renowned
singer-songwriter
Lauren Daigle with
contestant Laci Kaye
Booth.TOP:
Rolling Stone India
Executive Editor Nirmika
Singh (center) with this
year’s American Idol
#Top6.54 | Rolling Stone | July 2019