AI has been around for I think...eight or nine years now? I'm sure a quick check on Google would gimme the answer but I really don't care enough to check. Who woulda thought that this glorified talent show/karaoke fest would become a PHENOMENON and launch the careers of such megastars as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, and Justin Guarini (alright, maybe not the last one, haha). Combining the cool rags to riches spectacle of it all, and allowing the public to choose their next signing star, AI struck a chord with viewers and continues to be a ratings dynamo to this day.
After Adam Lambert raised the bar (then broke it in half and tossed it aside) last season, it would be difficult to top with this year's batch of hopefuls. Early front runner from the get-go was hippie single mama Crystal Bowersox. With the messed up teeth, dreadlocks, sweet bod and Janis Joplin voice, she seemed like the type of woman I'd pick up at a bar and have a real good time with. She just owns every song she sings and has a raw authenticity about her that has been lacking alot on this show.
There are some other interesting characters on the show including bundle-of-nerves/low self-esteem poster boy Lee Dewyze and blues rocker Casey James. Both I think have a shot at winning but there was one more wild card that had to emerge from the pack. During Hollywood week, a mousy, offbeat and different young lady emerged who was totally off my radar. Her name was Siobhan Magnus. At the time, I hadn't remembered seeing her audition, and honestly was just another face in the crowd. Until I heard her angelic voice.
She is bright shining star from a small town in Massachusetts. Her father looks like a true blooded Irishman who would share a pint of Guinness with you but be quick to knock your teeth out as well. Her grandfather looks like the Gordon fisherman, with a beard so epic that it could inspire men to be Gods. All jokes aside, Siobhan Magnus looks like she came from a solid family that nurtured and supported her dreams and who she was, molding her into this undeniably unique person she is today. Nothing fake or phony about her, at only 19 years of age she has already appeared in over 40 musicals in her hometown. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
This woman embodies everything I look for in a lady, from her appearance, to her taste in music to her attitude. Her hair is a thing of beauty, and her warm, genuine smile could melt the polar ice caps. I wish she would wear her glasses more often, but alas, I am not a stylist so what do I know. I could really see her fronting an Evanescence/Withing Temptation/Nightwish type of band, with her theaterical, classic styled voice and I'm really hoping that is the direction she decides to take musically. I connected with her immediately and now remain glued to my TV set every Tuesday and Wednesday night, waiting to see what she is gonna cook up next. Take a listen to her goosebump inducing rendition of "House of the Rising Sun":
If she gets voted off I will resume my boycott of this television show. There is no reason why Siobhan Magnus should not be your next AMERICAN IDOL. Tune in on FOX every Tuesday and Wednesday and cast your vote for this rising star.
