And The Winner Is…
While millions of Americans may think American Idol is just a fun talent competition show, Popsquire followers (like you!) know that the show also represents a collision between pop culture and law. Therefore, while we await tonight’s big announcement, let’s examine that collision with a few examples:
- The contracts: These contestants (not just the winner) likely enter into cumbersome contracts requiring them, among other things, to be bound to 19 Management and grant AI the ability to use their performances to promote future seasons without any restrictions. Click here for a thorough discussion of the first season contract, analyzed by salon.com.
- The parents: This season brought us Papa Archuleta, who was banned from rehearsals in recent weeks. For details on this legal collision, read this prior Popsquire post.
- The fame: Some contestants have a hard time handling fame and, as a result, find themselves in legal trouble. The most notable example is Season 4 contestant and Celebrity Rehab participant, Jessica Sierra. Since being eliminated, Sierra has been arrested and served jail time for drug, alcohol, and violence-related offenses.
Ok, your dose of reality is over. Go back to day dreaming about the Davids. Enjoy tonight’s show!
While some contestants may have trouble dealing with the fame, Jessica Sierra is not actually a good example of that phenomena. Her legal problems have very little if anything to do with AI and dealing with fame and nearly everything to do with a troubled childhood that included being the daughter of a prostitute/drug addict who died of an overdose. I.e. Jessica was an alcoholic and a troubled person before she ever appeared on the show.
Strange