Hollywood glitz … at first overshadowed by taller people, more mature acts and elaborate stage settings … lost in the overpowering bright lights … a tiny, ten year old emerges from the shadows into the bright lights. Adorable, with dancing eyes and a naturally engaging warm little girl smile, she opened her mouth and began to sing. Suddenly, this tiny figure’s voice overshadowed and overpowered all the others and the vast stage setting surrounding her. Blessed with an unusually mature, beautiful operatic voice, even at her tender age of 10, she immediately captivated judges, studio audience and the TV world. She became the odds on favorite to take it all from day one.
As contest weeks flew by and contestants were eliminated faster than you could blink an eye, the delightful little angel continued to shine … to pour everything she had into her performance … to amaze with the heights to which she could send her voice … to remain a down-to-earth ten year old. It was obvious so many were rooting for her and even judges occasionally let slip a hint of whom they thought the odds-on favorite was. In the last few weeks of the finals, it was almost a foregone conclusion that this little girl was going to walk away with it all.
The grand prize for the winner was $1 million and a headliner tour and Vegas show — so adult, so glitzy, so over showy…so, NOT 10 years old. As much as a viewer wanted this little girl to win; as much as you knew she deserved it; as much as you’d love to see a fairytale ending, you also harbored doubts about whether the sudden fame and much too mature environment was the best for her. But, you kept rooting … when she outdid herself week after week, song after song. And, you just knew she had to win when she matched talent with Sarah Brightman on the season finale. Everyone knew Jackie was going to win and you just prayed her parents could keep her grounded with what all would come her way when hit with sudden international fame.
But, there were two fairytale stories in the making. Many had overlooked the simple guy from Mississippi … the talented country singer who wanted to win the million to help his grandparents who had lost everything in one of nature’s most memorable disasters. He wasn’t glitzy or showy or overpowering Hollywood/Vegas either. Like his little colleague, he appeared to remain grounded. Like Jackie, he appeared to genuinely love to sing and he, too, gave everything he had week after week. They both deserved to be the two finalists. This viewer wished both could win, but the rules of the game deals the cards and dictates only one walks away with the jackpot.
In the end, a stunned and emotional country voice from Mississippi won out over the little angel voice from Pittsburgh. But, in the end, they were both winners — both fairytales, still in the developing stages, can get to come true in due time — the appropriate time for each. It was heartwarming to see Jackie embrace Michael as winner and her genuine graciousness in post-show interviews indicates she is far more mature than in just voice. I look forward to seeing and hearing a lot more from BOTH winners and I pray they both remain grounded in their roots while showered with fame.
Simple and small packages — two class acts!
Peace,
Kathy
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