We toldyou about the initial controversy over Jordin's entry into this season's contest (aided by Idol sponsor Coca Cola), and suspicion that her victory has been in the cards all along. Now, photos showing Jordin with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, supposedly taken three years ago, have led to speculation that the judges may have pretended not to know her when she auditioned-- and that she's indeed been groomed for Idoldom in some secret lab.
And now add the Christian Right to mix!
Jordin's never been shy about her Christian faith. She recorded a CD with "Jesus music" pioneer Matthew Ward, toured with Christian singer Michael W. Smith, placed second in 2004 at the Gospel Music Association's Music in the Rockies national competition for aspiring Contemporary Christian Music artists (the same one that Chris Sligh competed in two years earlier). And the GMA says it recognizes Jordin and fellow finalist Melinda Doolittle as Christian artists who are "keeping the faith."
Not that there's anything wrong with a big organized Christian Idol voting bloc (remember those phone centers in India?), but the controversy gets down to politics, in the form of abortion.
Though she's only seventeen and probably won't have to think seriously about the issue until she goes on the Idol tour and finds out she's been knocked up by Sanjaya, Jordan is well-known in her home state of Arizona and among the Christian crowd as a "pro-life"-- or anti-abortion-- crusader.
And until recently, she apparently had this picture on her MySpace page:
The stir that's brewing is similar to last year's storm over contestant Mandisa and her connection to the "ex-gay" movement. And with some expressing concern that Jordin will use her American Idol platform to preach against abortion, this sort of fight is one that will bring out votes on both sides.




Comments (15)
I'm not sure that Jordin's views on abortion will isolate a large part of her voting bloc the same way Mandisa's involvement in the ex-gay movement did
1 of 15 | Posted by JTContinental
|
Posted on May 12, 2007 1:02 AM
I read this shit weeks ago..On VFTW..catch up..
2 of 15 | Posted by TivoAteMyBaby | Posted on May 12, 2007 7:22 AM
#4, how do you know that Melinda supports women's rights--you might be better off voting for Blake.
3 of 15 | Posted by JTContinental
|
Posted on May 12, 2007 4:00 PM
Isn't this supposed to be about singing? What the hell is all of this political, pro-life, ex-gay, insert cause here crap?? This is why I don't watch this show!!!!
4 of 15 | Posted by Jessica | Posted on May 12, 2007 4:15 PM
Maybe she got to the final 12 by the judges, but the FANS kept her there. How about that conspirasy theory now? Really, people, vote for the best singer, how they got there is nill.
5 of 15 | Posted by castawaystream | Posted on May 13, 2007 8:15 AM
Oh, yes, I almost forgot.....exactly what does personal beliefs have to do with talent??? This is really not that serious...there are wars going on...that is serious.
6 of 15 | Posted by castawaystream | Posted on May 13, 2007 8:17 AM
7 of 15 | Posted by GIFFORDSAZ
|
Posted on May 14, 2007 9:31 AM
Just because there's a picture with her and Simon and her and Randy doesn't mean she was BFF's with them, she could have just seen them walking around. And who cares what she thinks or believes - she is the BEST singer left in the competition.
8 of 15 | Posted by sarah
|
Posted on May 14, 2007 2:10 PM
I personally don't
give a crap what her
beliefs are I'm only
interest in her great voice. I hope
she wins. I have
liked her and have been voting for her from day one.
She is number 1
9 of 15 | Posted by mimistar7 | Posted on May 14, 2007 3:40 PM
I am crying after tonight I don't know if I will watch Idol next week. Melinda shouldn't go home tonight she is the BEST OF ALL OF THE AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS! I voted all of the 2 hours one after the other for Melinda. Blake should have gone home and Melinda should have won the American Idol for this season.
10 of 15 | Posted by Nancy Kimball | Posted on May 16, 2007 7:35 PM
Listen Melinda was SUPPOSE to go home she sucks and Jordin is the one to beat she rocks!!! and she will win:)
11 of 15 | Posted by Trish | Posted on May 21, 2007 7:24 PM
I'll never watch idol again if Jordin wins
12 of 15 | Posted by robin | Posted on May 22, 2007 6:00 PM
Jordin rocks
13 of 15 | Posted by Erica | Posted on May 23, 2007 11:05 PM
Political scam? Come on .. this is American Idol people. Not a presidential election. Even if this whole thing was pre-determined; who cares???Life goes on, its just entertainment. Most of the things we see on t.v. are altered. Three months from now we will all be talking about the next cycle of American Idol. No harm done.
14 of 15 | Posted by TLewis | Posted on May 24, 2007 2:46 PM
Why is everyone so shocked? AI is NOT a "singing competition", it never has been. It's a reality TV show. Like all the rest in that genre, the term "reality" is subject to very broad interpretation by the producers. (Does anyone truly believe the contestants on "Survivor" or "Fear Factor" are ever in any real danger?)
The AI producers have consistently refused to institute fair voting practices, which was an issue back in 2004. Haven't ANY of you ever read the disclaimer a the end of EVERY AI show, the one that states the producers reserve the right to choose whomever they want, regardless of vote totals?
The producers had Jordin picked a while ago, she's marketable. She's young, multi-ethnic, pretty enough but not too pretty to alienate potential young female teens, and her father is an ex-football pro. She is not nearly as consistent in vocal talent as Melinda, but Jordin sings well enough. Vocal ability is hardly the most important factor in being a potential pop star anyway. (Britney Spears, anyone?)
Once the judges are removed from the process and the "voting" begins, the producers have already chosen whom they believe will be the most marketable. This time that's Jordin. They have made mistakes in the past, like when they chose Taylor Hicks to win and had Chris Daughtry finish in fourth place. Fast-forward and Daughtry has now sold far more records than the top three finishers from that season combined. As for the "winner" that year ... Taylor who?
Expect Jordin's handlers to execute a swift makeover in the weight department for her. But at least she's got that toothpaste commercial smile so they won't have to buy her a new set of porcelain veneers like they did with certain other past winners and runners-up.
15 of 15 | Posted by MissKitty | Posted on May 31, 2007 1:38 PM