Ace Young, Recycled Star
For a while now, most of us who’ve followed the show realize that many that go far in the contest aren’t what the show makes them out to be — ordinary people from Timbuktu who step in front of spotlight for the first time during audition week. The Kellie Picklers of the world are very, very few, and TMZ.com (an AOL site) showed how Ace Young is yet another example of someone in the entertainment business who is using the show to kickstart a career that can’t gain traction through the usual routes.
Just a young kid from Anywhere, USA? Think again. He guest-starred in an episode of UPN’s Half-and-Half last year as a . . . get this . . . a singing athelete. Not only did he get to show whatever acting abilities he may or may not have, he also got to sing. Yeah — this isn’t Ace Young’s first time to sing before a national audience. Apparently, no one was interested . . . so, Ace is on American Idol. Check out TMZ for the video evidence.
Other “recycled” contestants this year: Jose “Sway” Penala (got a contract with his boyband, didn’t make the big time). Kinnik Sky, a working Hollywood actress. Taylor Hicks, the front man for a Southern band . . . that sells out performances locally.
Yeah . . . it’s still all so sweet and innocent.
Whether he wins or not, Ace DID get a consolation prize from his prior TV appearance: he’s dating one of the stars of that show, Essence Atkins.
Whether these contestants have had any hands-on experience that better suited them for their role in American Idol is purely subjective. It is not unfair for them to have these experiences as much as it is for other contestants to just make it in the show by singing in the shower. To kickstart a career–that’s essentially what every contestant in American Idol seeks when they compete in the show. It makes no difference for contestants who have tried at this career and haven’t gotten any limelight, and for those who used American Idol as a start to their career. Because in the end, they are all in the same boat looking for the same thing.