Despite having already been on The View and the Rosie O'Donnell show, local stratospheric YouTube belter Von Smith still has to work his way through the ranks of American Idol.
Or does he?
The Greenwood, MO, native singer appeared on Idol's Kansas City stop last night and danced around all wacky and sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and was unanimously voted to advance, even though -- and I don't think it's a stretch for me to say this -- the judges seemed thoroughly annoyed by his performance. Watch it at this blog, which, you'll notice, deemed his audition "awful."
So the question is, was it rigged? Did the producers pass along notes to the four Idol judges saying, effectively, "Send the kid through"...? Do they do that? Is Idol run by the phone company? By Rosie O'Donnell? The Russian mafia? Has the mission been compromised!!?
The blog Hollywood Gossip reported on December 5, 2008, that Von was rumored to have made it through. How would they have known -- or rather, why would they have cared? Weren't those auditions back in August? Hmmmmmm... the eyes narrow and the lips tuck inward...
This just in: TV Squad has posted a re-cap of the whole KC episode.
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I first saw Von Smith on The View over 2 years ago and he really blew me away. When I saw his audition on AI, I knew I knew his face. Then I saw his name. Then I remembered! He is so amazing and though he is off AI for good now, I think that he is better than most of the Top 14. He is so talented and adorable and he deserves the best. Everything happens for a reason and boy do I hope this is one BIG reason!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll always love this "kid"!!!
Fairness? Who said anything is fair on TV?
I think Von has what it takes to be a great performer, weather he wins AI or not. He has all the qualities that all the past winners have had, plus his range is incredible.
No doubt he will get some very great exposure from being on AI which will definitely help his career regardless if he wins or not.
I've been a huge fan of Von's for about 2 yrs now and was so saddened when his music was taken off of his myspace account. But that said, I do feel that this exposure will launch him into great places on the stage of entertainment, and indeed he is one of the best singers I've heard in a very very long time on this show.
Good luck Von!!!!
Von, In your busy time, take a break and listen to Diane Kolby's Holy Man on YouTube It is a song I know you could do justice to.
When did everyone become so cynical of people. I don't think the judges were annoyed, I think they were a bit surprised by his song choice and the fact that he pulled it off. Can he sing? Absolutely, I've seen him live and he brought the house down and got a standing ovation. Talent like his doesn't come along very often. I'm just mad that Simon Cowell will make millions off this kid and have complete control over his career if he wins. Look at Kelly Clarkson...she disappeared because she wanted to do her own style. Not allowed with Simon, so now she's gone. Hopefully Von will get enough exposure without winning so he has more freedom to get with a producer who cares.
I also wondered if the contest might be rigged when the brother of a finalist from last season advanced on to Hollywood. His audition was less annoying than Von's, however.
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