It never fails to amaze me how people can be cold or callous with the things they do or say. It seems like some have decided their role in the world is to make fun of everything else, even when it's in extremely poor taste to do so.
Case in point: American Idol Season 10's Chris Medina.
Even if you don't watch the show you've probably heard the name at least one point between yesterday and today. His story is the one that will go down in the AI record books as the most aptly titled sob story in history.
(Go get some tissue... seriously...)
Now I realize there are those who refuse to ever watch a stitch of AI for principle's sake, and that's fine - but understand you really don't get a vote on this particular topic unless you see this story for yourself. To have an opinion based on your own biases is in fact a bias all on its own, and I really don't have the patience to entertain that right now. I have bigger fish to fry - namely those who could watch the video and still find fault with this powerful story.
And, believe it or not, there were some. They are the party to whom this blog is dedicated.
Immediately upon viewing my Twitter/Facebook feed blew up with the majority of folks overcome by the story. Even Michael Ian Black, who has turned snark into an art form, had only this to say:
"Very reluctantly admitting that I just teared up at the end of American Idol."
To sum up, Chris Medina's fiance Juliana had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident just two months before their 2009 wedding. Because they were two months away from "in sickness and in health," and these were vows he'd already made in essence when they got engaged, Chris hangs in there for Juli who needs him now more than ever.
It's the kind of tragedy that immediately rips your heart out - IF, that is, you have a heart to rip out. The judges were all overcome, and Steven 'bout destroyed me when he held her face in his hands and tearfully said, "The reason he sings so good is because he's singing to you." Tears visibly fell from the Dawg's face and I'm sure even Cranky Cowell shed a tear somewhere.
But of course, we wouldn't be our spectacularly flawed human race if we didn't have some detractors out there who felt the inexplicable need to jump all over this tender moment and crap enthusiastically thereupon.
Some pounced on his comment, "What kind of guy would I be if I left her when she needed me most?" They wanted to know why he'd even leave her to audition for American Idol - which, if you do well, means you're going to go away for months at a time while competing and touring.
Some were quick to accuse him and AI of exploiting his fiance to ensure a spot in Hollywood and possibly the finals with a powerful sob story that actually overshadowed his audition. Because of this, there are those who believe that without the sob story he wouldn't have even made it through the preliminary audition round.
Others question if he should even make it past Hollywood and others still commented on how "uncomfortable" it made them to see Juliana wheeled in looking overcome and "confused."
All of it just begs the question.... what's wrong with these people?
I get why the AI sob stories can be a source of contention. People wonder if the contestants are getting through on their talent as opposed to the touchy-feeling back story that has run the gamut of human tragedy.
"It's a talent show," might be the refrain. "It's a show," would be my reply.
It may seem exploitative to broadcast these folks and their sad stories, but it's good TV. Idol wouldn't be Idol without memorable contestants, and I hate to break it to you the show isn't *just* about the talent.
Nor is being an idol... but that's a topic for another time and another blog. *cough*Justin Bieber*cough*Miley Cyrus*cough*cough*gag*
Historically on Idol talent pretty much rises to the top regardless of the back story. In 2009 Danny Gokey had the advantage going into Hollywood Week and the finals thanks to the touching story of his late wife... but eventually the megawatt talent of Adam Lambert (who didn't have a sob story) and the acoustic chops of Kris Allen (likewise sans sob story) trumped it to secure a spot in the Idol finales.
(One of the most awesome finales in the entire history of Idol, I might add. KISS, Queen and Adam Lambert. It was a trifecta of awesomeness.)
Chris, like Danny, has the chops to get through. Just because what we remember most is the story doesn't mean he wouldn't have gotten through on talent alone - which he most certainly would have (especially with these judges.) He might not have been technically the best vocal talent to get through, but he certainly wasn't the worst either. If anyone is exploiting the story over the talent it would be those naysayers who believe he didn't nail the audition... which he most certainly did.
And yes, his auditioning for Idol means that, in a best case scenario, he is going to be separated from his beloved for long periods of time. But that is to work his ass off to make something of himself to take better care of *her.* How can anyone anywhere equate that to his simply walking away for good?
In case you didn't know this, medical care is expensive. This guy already had a band and the desire to make singing his trade. His using his talent in a way to jump start his career in a big way makes sense to anyone who isn't just looking for a reason to nitpick something.
He is trying to to make enough money to properly care for her. You're risking nothing more than tapping away from the safety of your computer. Yet there's something wrong with what *he's* doing?
I don't think so.
Finally to those who cried foul on the discomfort they felt witnessing Juliana in the room with the judges: that's not her problem, their problem or even the fault of Idol. That's your issue alone.
Life isn't always pretty or comfortable - and people exist who have extra challenges getting through in the world... not the least of which is being against the norm. They deserve our love and acceptance, not our disdain.
I personally wanted to go through the television screen and do just what the judges did - especially Steven. How could anyone see that precious woman and not want to put your arms around her? What a triumph of the human spirit to come back from something like a devastating brain injury!
I just don't get how anyone can look at either Chris or Juliana and not think, "There but for the grace of God go I." A car accident can happen to anyone. This bolt of lightning could have struck anywhere... even your own family. What would you do if this were you or someone you loved? What if these were your choices to make? Wouldn't you go for broke to make things better if it was at all in your power to do so?
It's called empathy - putting yourself in the shoes of another - and a quality which these critics are sadly lacking.
My husband and I watched this show together, hands clasped, and in tears (well.. I was sobbing but I saw him wipe away some tears of his own too.) We were made profoundly aware that all the problems we've suffered through the last few months aren't all that bad in the whole scheme of things. We have each other. We are both relatively healthy. And we understood his commitment to his fiance staying through the toughest of times because that's just what love does.
It was a moment when if you had that kind of love you were immediately thankful, and if you hadn't found it yet you knew instantly you wouldn't settle for anything less.
When you make that choice to commit yourself and your life to someone, there's never an option to walk away.
It was a love story of the truest kind. It was a beautiful testament to self-sacrifice, endurance, faith and the resilience of the human spirit. So if you were left cold by the experience to the point you have to pick it apart to feel better about yourself...then I feel much sorrier for you than I could ever feel for Chris OR Juli.
That problem, my friend, is with you alone.
At the top of this blog I've entitled it, "Rants and Raves about what I think is right, wrong or just plain weird about the world."
Your lack of empathy may be what's wrong...
But what Chris and Juli share, and the never ending ripple of love and support it's created is what's right.
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