Hispanics, Blacks and 'American Idol'

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Despite being the largest minority group in America, no Hispanic person has ever made it into the final four of the program American Idol, a contest that relies on viewer votes to choose its winners. Black performers, however, have been favorites every season, even winning the show three times.

We don't watch AI, but a blogger who does claims one of this season's top black contestants, Syesha, has intentionally been "looking less Black and more Hispanic," despite the unsuccessful history of Latinos on American Idol.

She has been straightening her hair, wearing lighter colors and featuring her [Hispanic] dad more than her [black] mom on her video vignettes. Sure, it hasn't been a straight line or anything but clearly it has been happening.

Is Syesha really doing this? If so, why? Have black American Idol contestants been significantly better than Hispanic ones? Do Hispanics even watch the fucking show? In the words of a man who wouldn't have been caught dead on American Idol: What's going on?

Mar 26, 2008 · posted by Cord Jefferson · Link · 9 Responses

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Tagged: American Idol, Fantasia, Hispanics, Ruben Studdard

Comments (9)

No. 1 · summer

i am watching this season, and i haven't gotten that from syesha at.all. i guess you can find whatever you're looking for if you look hard enough.

she switches her hair up from week to week. the show features both of her parents. *shrugs shoulders*

Posted: Mar 26, 2008 at 8:31 pm

No. 2 · kilo

Africa birthplace of mankind…i dont think so…say hello to your DADDY!!!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…I KNEW IT!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23813443/

Posted: Mar 26, 2008 at 9:42 pm

No. 3 · *M*

oh the hell can she look more Hispanic? Because she flat ironed her hair for one week? Like natural sisters don't never do that. Wearing lighter colours? I wore yellow today, am i trying to be Hispanic?
David had to go, he was not that good and looked odd on stage. America was probably more concerned with him being a stripper than a Latino. oh wait, Jason Castro is Cuban…..uh

Posted: Mar 26, 2008 at 11:34 pm

No. 4 · JackJohnson

She can be both and look both - I don't see what the issue is. I hope she respects and represents all of her heritage.

Someone in here is on that short yellow bus…

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 9:04 am

No. 5 · Javannie Owen

Whoever wrote this was right to say they never watched the show because theres ONLY BEEN TWO black winners

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 10:16 am

No. 6 · Lauren Williams, Stereohyped

Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, and Jordin Sparks.

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 10:35 am

No. 7 · Anon

I guess JO isn't counting Jordin b/c she is mixed????

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 1:34 pm

No. 8 · stacy

I was mentioning to my sis last night as we were watching that I was surprised that there were only a couple of black kids on this year, and none were really front runners. I will say though, that Jason Castro is amazing.

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 9:47 pm

No. 9 · Javannie Owen

Wow I didnt even consider Jordan Sparks black……..lol my bad i apologize

Posted: May 4, 2008 at 5:50 pm

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