AI Fans - If John Stevens was your son...

[grinningghost]

...what kind of advice would you be giving him right about now? Would you continue to encourage him and believe in him? Would you tell him to ignore the media and all the negativity? Or would you beg him to bow out, even if it meant hefty legal fees to release him from the competition?

Whether you like John or not, he is a young teenager and unless he's Superman, his self-esteem must be taking a major hit these days.

I think if he still believed in himself, I'd continue to encourage him. But you just have to wonder what's said behind closed doors.

 

[CarolA]

Having seen interviews with his family, I think they believe in him and think he can win it all.....

I would not encourage him to drop out. He made a committment and is old enough to understand that committment.

I recall on the audition show Simon indicated concern over these young teenagers. John is not the only young one.

I think as a parent, I would have had REAL concerns about even letting a child still in high school do the audition.

 

[ShuisFan584]

He has every right to be in the competition just like everybody else. There are people that hate him, but there are also people that love him, and it also wouldn't be fair to them for him to be taken out. I think his parents, along with everyone else should encourage him to continue what he's doing. Unfortunately there are some cruel people in this world that get pleasure from saying horrible things about others, but he shouldn't let that get to him. There are too many people that do like his music, and he should definitely be encouraged to stay in the competition.

 

[Lynn CC]

I would buy his CD before any of the others, so I'd encourage him to stay. It's a great experience for him!

 

[snoopy]

I would absolutely encourage him to do his very best! I don't think he can hold a candle to the rest of the contestants, but he has made it this far and he has every right to hold his head high! I would never tell him to drop out.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Ok, I'm curious. What's being said about him?

 

[WeirdEyes]

I would definitely tell him to stay in....quitting is not an option. I'm sure his parents truly believe in him. He has a great voice when he is singing those old Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra songs. He just can't seem to do anything else though and that is the problem. I feel bad for him. I feel worse for Jennifer Hudson though. She is an awesome talent and for the life of me, I can't figure out how she got booted off.

 

[ShuisFan584]

Originally posted by WeirdEyes
I feel worse for Jennifer Hudson though. She is an awesome talent and for the life of me, I can't figure out how she got booted off.

She had the lowest amount of votes, it's as simple as that.

Everyone in the top 12 was good enough to make it there and every single one of them (except for one) is going to have to leave sooner or later. She just happened to leave a little sooner because not a lot of people voted for her. If she truly is talented enough, she'll be able to do well on her own, and she'll also still be on the Idol tour, as well as the one who makes it to number one.

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by ShuisFan584
She had the lowest amount of votes, it's as simple as that.

I don't remember any of the Clay fans saying that last year.

As for the OP's question, if I was his Mom I'd continue to encourage him. There are children when WAY bigger "problems" than this with strong, supportive parents keeping their spirits up. On some level we have to do this with our kids daily, maybe not on this level, but in some way. We have to be our kids' cheerleaders, we cannot protect them forever. Teaching them that not everyone will like you but MAMA always will is part of being a Mom. Try walking a mile in my son's shoes.....

 

[elmosmom]

If John were my son I would be very proud of him. First of all, he seems to be a nice young man. He is facing the panel of judges and AI viewers with courage and dignity.
Yup! I'd be very proud of him!!!!

 

[babar]

I don't know, I'm 30 and I'd be crushed if I read things about me like that are being written about him on message boards. I can't believe sometimes what people will type about a person, celebrity or not they are still a person, where that person may be able to see it.

I think it's cruel, especially when people make fun of his physical looks.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by babar


I think it's cruel, especially when people make fun of his physical looks.

Especially when he IS such a cutie.

 

[Micca]

Warning: I have "Simon"-like critique abilities.

John Stevens is a one-trick pony. He's a curiosity because he sings like some of the pop performers of the 40s and 50s and he's only 16. Once that novelty wears thin, there isn't much left.
He'll probably get to go on tour with the large AI group and make more money than any 16 year olds you know. Hopefully that will be the salve to soothe his wounded teen ego.

The good news for John: Hey, he's 16, it's possible he'll develop a voice that will break his current mold and he turns into the next Elton John.

 

[grinningghost]

One thing is for sure though Micca, I bet John is going to have ALOT more dates when he gets home. He can use this as his pick-up line "Hey baby, wanna come back to my place and listen to me croon?"

 

[Micca]

You are right Grinninghost! Even AI "rejects" must have a great social life

 

[damo]

I would be so proud if that was my son. That kid has put up with more crap than any contestant should have to. The judges put him there, they should be treating him with respect. I would definitely tell him to keep his chin up and do his best.

 

[Adrianna2]

I would never encourage anyone to quit anything. If he truly loves and and is following his heart, he should do it no matter what anyone says. I personally think he stinks. I'm sorry, but he does. I'm not saying that to be mean or make fun of him - hey, I can't sing a tune if my life depended on it - thank God it doesn't! - and I give him credit for getting up there and sticking to it in spite of all the criticism. If you're doing something 'from the heart,' that you truly believe in, you should do it until you can't anymore.

 

[Little Pirate]

Originally posted by grinningghost
Especially when he IS such a cutie.

o hunny! dont even get me started on how completly adorable he is!!! ...
I actually really like his voice. Uh-huh! It's the truth! The music in this show may not be perfect for him, but hey, if he got together a group of songs he wrote(or someone else) and made a CD, I would most definatly buy it!

 

[beattyfamily]

It's nice to see some positive posts about John Stevens.

I love this kid and I vote for him each week and so does my 8 year old DD. I would buy his CD in a heartbeat. I can't say that for any other contestant.

He has every right to be there just as the other 11 contestants did. It's not his fault they made the cut off age 16. Why keep harping on it?

He is doing a wonderful job in handling all the critisizm (sp?) from the judges.

I would encourage him to just continue to do his best. There is NO reason for him to bow out. I remember people saying Josh should bow out too when he kept sticking around. Give me a break. That's just silly.

Why does everyone forget that the same thing that happened to Jennifer happened to Tamyra Gray? She was the favorite of the judges and was NOT the top 3; everyone was shocked and amazed back then too. She sings much better than Jennifer, IMHO. It's just the nature of the game. Although I wanted Clay to win over Ruben, I didn't get nasty and say it wasn't fair or anything like that. I still enjoy the show. It doesn't matter what happens really cause in the end it's just a show and great entertainment. I'll still buy John's CD whether he won or not just like I did Clay and Kelly.

I, personally, am very glad to see Jennifer leave. She YELLED her songs and made those weird faces.

IMHO, not one contestant is worthy of American Idol this year. Not one of them can sing as good (or as unique and memorable) as Kelly or Clay, IMHO.

It's Just a show, people...entertainment. Nothing to get upset about.

 

[Little Pirate]

I totally agree that people shouldn't be getting angry.

It's a show, for good and fun. AND entertainment.

I hate it when people find the need to just sit there and insult him. If no one has noticed, none of the John fans are insulting the other contestants... Yup...

I guess the John fans are more polite than the Jennifer fans.
So many people sit there and complain about how bad John is and how he should have gone instead of Jennifer.
America makes their votes and that's that.
No need to get tudgy.

Just smile and be happy

Love,
Little