Tuesday evening an obsessive Paul Abdul fan, Paula Goodspeed, committed suicide by drug overdose, in front of the "American Idol" judges' home.
Goodspeed, who had tried out for the hit reality show before---and was completely panned by Simon, Randy, and Paula--had a history of psychiatric problems. Apparently she even OD'd in front of Paula's house on another occasion
As soon as I heard the news that Goodspeed was rejected on the show, I knew that there would be an outcry about the show's involvement in this young woman's mental issues and subsequent death. And, in Beliefnet's very own social networking community, member Ricki Lee, wrote about how upset she was at Goodspeed's death and the role "American Idol's" judges played in it:
She obviously had no one in her life to help her heal from those hateful remarks and the evil laughter of those judges. No one to say, "Hon, you might not sing, but look how well you draw? Go to school, perfect your talent, and make your mark in the artistic world."
She even goes as far as to say that the show should be cancelled:
"I say Idol has done enough damage, one dead is enough. Can the show. If you watch it, stop watching. Think about that dead girl. "
From a young age, Goodspeed created life-sized drawings of her "secret crush" Paula. And I while I find that incredibly creepy, I do agree with Ricki Lee that her family should have encouraged her in what was a genuine artistic talent (you can check out the photos in her audition video)--and guided her away from her nails-on-a-chalkboard "singing."
In an Idol Chatter post I wrote last year, "American Idol and Our Culture of Lies," I address just that issue. Is it wrong to pursue one's dreams? Of course not. Is it wrong to lie to our loved ones about whether they are, in fact, talented when it comes to singing, dancing, or anything else--or ignore our friends and family when they are brutally honest with us? Absolutely.
Even Goodspeed herself admitted she shouldn't have tried out for the competition in this journal entry on her Myspace page, where she wrote: "I made the mistake of trying out for a singing competition before I was ~even~ ready vocally, emotionally and physically." On her page she also lists her occupation as "bathin in bl~~d of virgin girls."
"American Idol" is certainly not to blame for Goodspeed's death. Nor are they to blame for upsetting the thousands of potential contestants they audition each year. Most of these rejected singers need a wake-up call anyway--one that, for the most part, their loved ones aren't offering. Let's put some of the blame on them.
And while we're at it, let's stop blaming the media, video games, and everyone else for all of the decisions we, and our loved ones, make. A TV show is not to blame for this woman's death. She is.
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I'm sorry but "American Idol" should not be blamed or taken off the air because of a death. Its obvious that people go way overboard when they hear that they aren't good enough but I'm sorry its no reason to take your life. They are a lot of talented people out there that should be found and have there moment in the spot light. This girl has issues and no one to talk to so its not Paula, Randy or Simon's fault its her's and her families. It would be different if they physically hurt her, they just hurt her feeling. Everyone knows how they can be on that show , if you dont want to be humiliated DONT GO ON IT!
o and also i dont think her parents were useing her to get money. but they could have told the truth and said that shes not a good singer but i dont think a parent would use there kid and risk humiliateing them on live tv thats just wrong idc who u are
American Idol in no way, shape or form now or ever to be blamed for an unstable persons reaction to rejection. Randy, Simon, Paula and now Kaira ( spelling?)are not professional therapists but professionals in the MUSIC business. THEY CAN NOT be held accountable for one reaction to be told no, your not what we are looking for. I agree that at times even I feel they are a bit harsh BUT>>>BUT we do not see EVERYTHING that goes on at the audition. We do however see times when the so called performer begs, pleads and gets down right annoying to the point where I believe a harsh word may be the only way to get them to move on and allow the next person to try out. I have to wonder how many hugs Paula gives these rejected people that WE DON'T SEE?? Some of these people just do not take no for an answer, and yes there are times in life where one shouldn't take no for an answer. To say this show should be taking off the air is in my opinion ones new found reason to kick what is and has been a very popular show for seven years off the air. It seems to me some have been looking for a reason and could not invent one so with this poor girls death now we have a beauty of one. Does this mean every time someone is rejected then for whatever reason he or she is rejected that should ended. WHAT IF ONE IS REJECTED FROM A COLLEGE? Should we close the college? Should we close all colleges where there has been a shooting???? And what about God?? How can anyone blame God? For those who blame the Almighty for this I ask you......when was the last time YOU thanked Him for something? Gods free will to us is a gift and if one chooses to abuse it then may God have pity on him come judgment day.One thing I see in America that is on the rise is Americans are quick for blaming someone else for their misfortune instead of taking account for their own life and actions.Blame someone else.....IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY!!!
Fellow American.
It is so much easier for people to point fingers to blame and criticize instead of accepting we are all NOT perfect. One person’s failure is not the world’s failure too. It just means you need to try again next time and no matter how much you fail, JUST KEEP TRYING. It’s not how much you fall that matters, but how fast you rise when you fall. Life goes on and so must the show. She had two choices: Die trying or die giving up. Well we all know what she chose so the decision was hers not American Idol’s. If we didn’t have people telling us that our weakness needs improvement, what kind of people would we be? We might else well erase the word SUCCESS from the dictionary. Yet, it’s not other people’s opinion that matters because no one can’t tell you what you can and cannot do but there is a balance between ridiculously bad and being good but needs improvement. Family and friends just need to be more honest. Before you go on American Idol to compete, you should get a professional’s opinion first.
How much money do the contestants make during the contest and then during the tour of the top ten? Just wondering.
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