Discrimination is discrimination whether it’s based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc etc. I think it would be outrageously unfair to say Adam can’t do “X” because he’s gay. I think it’s just as outrageously unfair to say Anoop can’t do “X” because of his ethnicity.

He’s really quick on his feet, has empathy and comes across as immensely likeable.

Yes. Anoop has a big likability factor going on. He has done some acting before, hasn’t he? Maybe he can somehow combine the acting and singing.

I think Anoop could really make it big in broadcast media / news or entertainment hosting. He’s really quick on his feet, has empathy and comes across as immensely likeable.

I think he can be a star in Asia and in here. I know there are a lot of other people trying to make it but I think his ethnicity can help him out here.

I can see it working in Asia. Not so sure about the States, though.

Anoop! Dude, I totally think he can make it in pop/r&b only because there is no other Indian guy doing that right now, and that already helps him stand out. He just needs to find the right people that can market him and I think he can be a star in Asia and in here. I know there are a lot of other people trying to make it but I think his ethnicity can help him out here.

I hope you are right. I thought that it might make it even harder, but who knows?

Matt and Anoop fans are going to have to wait a long time I think. JMHO

Seems that I hear a lot of former Idols dismissed as failures when they’re really doing quite well compared to the many thousands of other talented people fighting for the spotlight out there.

Very, very true.

I don’t hold out a lot of hope for mainstream radio play for Matt or Anoop. But, I do think they’ll be able to make a living as musicians, even if it’s being a big fish in the small pond of their home states, or touring with other idols.

Exactly. And, after all, this is what most musicians in the world do, and there’s nothing wrong with it. You’re paying the rent with what you love to do, and that’s as much as one can expect, I think. I think having people get the national spotlight on Idol tends to build fans’ — and maybe Idols’ — expectations way beyond this, though. Seems that I hear a lot of former Idols dismissed as failures when they’re really doing quite well compared to the many thousands of other talented people fighting for the spotlight out there.

I never believed him when he sang r&b, but he is a really good balladeer.

I always preferred Anoop as a balladeer, too. I think Anoop has a pretty voice.

Funny that Anoop, Danny, and Matt are the three that tried that r&b sound, and they are such close friends. I enjoy reading about their antics on Twitter.

Anyway, about the Elliott comparison. I think maybe people just tend to favor and get caught up in the current set of idols. I don’t think Elliott was perfect, but when he is good, there is not much that can top his vocals. And although I think Anoop has a pretty voice, I think that Elliott is a better overall singer. Matt is definately not as good a singer as Elliott, but he does have the piano playing musicianship going for him. I think all three are talented, and I know everyone’s opinions will vary, but I think what threw me off was that some were saying that these two are MUCH more talented. Not for me, and Elliott wasn’t even my favorite Season 5.

Sad to say, Lucy, I agree with you. I don’t hold out a lot of hope for mainstream radio play for Matt or Anoop. But, I do think they’ll be able to make a living as musicians, even if it’s being a big fish in the small pond of their home states, or touring with other idols. I hope for more, but history of past idols doesn’t bode well for them. I’ve always been a little baffled by Anoop’s favored genre. I never believed him when he sang r&b, but he is a really good balladeer.

People are really saying Anoop and Matt are much more talented than Elliott? I did not know.

Well, I certainly don’t think so! But I’ve heard it said: Anoop — much prettier voice; Matt — much better overall musician.

I don’t buy either of those but obviously MMV on this one. I think Elliott’s voice is gorgeous and his musicianship is plainly evident in his vocals. But I’ve spoken with others who vehemently disagree!

Seems like that is not considered very salable. And I know that some folks think these two guys are way more talented than Elliott (and prettier, I would imagine the thinking goes), but to me they’re all pretty comparable ‘” all three very talented (plus, Elliott’s much much prettier now that he’s consulted stylists and has new teeth)’“ and Elliott’s had a horrible time finding a niche that will actually pay for his music, wasn’t able to get a major-label contract, continues to struggle, found his place on radio once but doens’t seem to be able to get it back as radio becomes an ever more tightly-controlled-from-the-top medium. Etc. ‘ ¦ Plus, Danny’s in a similar niche (unless he goes country), so he’s certainly fighting for one of these apparently very limited spots, too.

I think that you are spot on with this. There doesn’t seem to be much of a space for the non black r&b guys. Heck, I don’t know if r&b is really accepting of even black american idols….Rueban and to a lesser extent Fantasia have both struggled.

I think this is why 19 is pushing Danny toward country. Danny did sing a few country songs on the show, but he still tried to add in that r&b flavor to some of them.

But yeah, it will be a struggle for them trying to find a place. I do agree with you also that there may be certain gigs out there that they can take advantage of, but it might not be the big mainstream stuff that puts them really out there in the public eye. But then, that’s okay.

People are really saying Anoop and Matt are much more talented than Elliott? I did not know.

# just took the “who’s american idol season 8 contestant are you?” quiz and got: kris allen! Try it: http://bit.ly/MqE5x#
about 2 hours ago from LOL quiz

Then Kris tweeted:

#I just took the “who’s american idol season 8 contestant are you?” quiz and got: kris allen! Try it: http://bit.ly/17Mtpx#
22 minutes ago from LOL quiz

Matt chimed in:

#First I tweet. Then I shower. Then pack. Then tea w/honey. Then pay my enormous room service bill.: / Then go to Portland. That’s my day.#
about 2 hours ago from TwitterFon

Hopefully he gets it figured out and proves himself to the right people, and ends up putting out music. Dude’s voice is about as velvety as it gets and I could listen to him sing all day ‘“ if it’s the right kind of stuff (not The Right Stuff, by the New Kids on the Block).

For me, he and Matt are the two who have the most untapped potential upside, and could make a lot of good music for awhile if things come together.

I agree that they’re both very talented, but will the market make room for two more poppy/soulish/not-really-black R&Bish boys?

Seems like that is not considered very salable. And I know that some folks think these two guys are way more talented than Elliott (and prettier, I would imagine the thinking goes), but to me they’re all pretty comparable — all three very talented (plus, Elliott’s much much prettier now that he’s consulted stylists and has new teeth)– and Elliott’s had a horrible time finding a niche that will actually pay for his music, wasn’t able to get a major-label contract, continues to struggle, found his place on radio once but doens’t seem to be able to get it back as radio becomes an ever more tightly-controlled-from-the-top medium. Etc. … Plus, Danny’s in a similar niche (unless he goes country), so he’s certainly fighting for one of these apparently very limited spots, too.

Urban radio doesn’t seem to want these guys (and I know that Matt is biracial, but he looks an awfully lot like a white guy to me). And pop isn’t really interested in very many smooth stylings or whatnot either.

They’re talented and I’m sure they can get gigs of some kind, but I wouldn’t hold out a lot of hopes for radio play or major-label contracts or the like.

Although I guess this is moot for Matt if he goes with his The Fray/Coldplayish rock thing. … He’ll have to put together a band to do that, though, won’t he?

In one of the interviews last week, Adam and Kris were asked if they’d try to fit an MJ tribute into the show, and the response from them indicated that it would be nice, but may not work with everything now pretty much set in stone for the tour, which immediately made me think that he may not have chosen BoW for the tour. But then Danny is doing PYT, so they can add a tribute moment in with that.

As for Anoop – glad he’s doing My Prerogative, as that was definitely one of (if not his) best. He’s a really cool guy, and definitely seems like a lot of fun to hang out with. Interesting, how he and Matt seem like a really good match, friend-wise.

I think Anoop is appealing on many levels. He’s smart, funny, articulate, handsome. I think he’d be great on tv if that was a direction he wanted to go in (watch your back, Seacrest).

@lyndseyparker If you listen closely in background of my Anoop interview you can hear Adam rehearsing. Recognize the song???

Well, guess it’s WLL! Yippie! (Yep, I tweeted her back.) Matt and Anoop also tweeted this morning, Matt about going to Oregon, Anoop about taking the what Idol are you quiz and getting…Kris! LOL

and i listened at max volume with headphones and definitely heard WLL in the background. no singing, just the music.

Dim All The Lights and Ooo Baby Baby were decent-to-good vocal performances, but not good song choices at all. A bit of a letdown. Then, he whiffed big time with Beat It and Caught Up.

I actually thought Angel of Mine was one of his better showings and it came early and wasn’t even greatly received.

I felt sorry for the guy because it seemed like he got some awful advice from the judges and tried too hard to please and got it in his mind after My Prerogative (which was fun, but not who he should be as a recording artist) that he was the party starter and all that. EHHH!! Wrong. He’s a soulful R&B guy. Doesn’t have to be strictly a balladeer, but that’s where he really, really stands out.

Hopefully he gets it figured out and proves himself to the right people, and ends up putting out music. Dude’s voice is about as velvety as it gets and I could listen to him sing all day ‘“  if it’s the right kind of stuff (not The Right Stuff, by the New Kids on the Block).

For me, he and Matt are the two who have the most untapped potential upside, and could make a lot of good music for awhile if things come together. Those two and Kris were my Top 3 all season ‘“  Kris is clearly getting his shot, now hopefully these other two will get their chances.

That turned into a lot longer manifesto than I originally intended.