what we used to think of as natural talent is, in fact, the
result of good old-fashioned practice. Author of Talent Is
Overrated, Geoff Colvin, wrote, “Talent means nothing like
what we think it means, if indeed it means anything at all.”^5
Citing numerous studies of accomplished individuals,
world-class athletes, and performers whom we often
consider prodigies, he claimed the reason for their success
was practice. When the evidence does point to rare instances
of natural ability, he argued, it was always followed by
rigorous training. “Such findings do not prove that talent
doesn’t exist,” he wrote. “But they do suggest an intriguing
possibility: that if it does, it may be irrelevant.” In other
words, nobody reaches expert status without intense
preparation. Excellence, then, is a matter of practice, not
talent.^6
Two-time Grammy winner Colbie Caillat testified to this,
admitting the Idol judges were right to reject her: “I was shy.
I was nervous. I didn’t look the greatest. I wasn’t ready for it
yet. I was glad, when I auditioned, that they said no.”^7 Did
you catch that? She was glad, grateful even, for the
rejection. It made her try harder and helped her understand
she was not performing at her very best. The failure made
her better.
Is there a difference between Stephanie Fisher and the
American Idol rejects who went on to become superstars? If
it’s not talent, then what is it? Does practice alone explain
the gap between reality show rejects and future pop stars?