Gooooooooooooo Clay---SPOILER!!!!

[clutter]

Kelly Clarkson was talking to our local Fox reporter, and gave the impression that there was a lot of dog-and-pony show stuff associated with being the american idol. Clay basically got the same contract with a lot more freedom. (Including, probably, what he puts on his CD. Let's hope it's not the original song he sang last night, which I guess was supposed to be his single, had he won. He did well with it, but it was an awful song. Randy nailed that.) He may not have won a close contest, but he probably got the better deal. I really got the impression that they had to CALL someone the American Idol, but they tried to make it as much of a tie as they could.

disclaimer: I voted for Ruben. Loved them both, and Kimberly, but I just thought Ruben's talent was a little deeper. BUT I was happy with the final three and from there on, it didn't really matter. I'll buy any of the final 3's CD's.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

If its not Clay winning, I'm glad it was Ruben and not someone like Carmen. Still, Ruben just doesn't stand out to me- Clay is so different from anyone else out there.

The thing that just breaks my heart is that Clay didn't get to have that moment. Who can forget Kelly crying through her song last year after winning? I wanted that moment for Clay so much- that moment when Ryan reads his name and Clay closes his eyes and tries to hold back tears, and then takes the stage to sing Bridge over Troubled Water, with his mom looking as proud of her boy as all of his fans are. That boy has worked so hard- he's brought something new up to the plate every week, changing his vocal style along with his fashion style, and really listening to the advice the judges offered.

I guess everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure things will turn out better for Clay being 2nd than if he had won, but I'll always miss him getting that last moment in the spotlight.

 

[stormi65]

WDW Poly Princess- that was well put.

 

[ShuisFan584]

This was not a happy household after the results were announced! I was sitting on my mom's lap watching the show and I had such a bad feeling that it was going to be Ruben. As soon as they said the winner the first thing close to my hand went straight at the tv and a bunch of cursing with me and my mother, it was not a pretty sight.

My boyfriend sat there thinking I was crazy (he didn't think I was serious about getting upset if Clay didn't win). My friend who was there kept rooting for Ruben (even though he doesn't watch the show, he just did that to make me mad). I told him he better watch it, because after the show I went and beat him up and told him it was his fault lol.

I was ok though, I did not have a heart attack! I just had my 10 minutes of serious anger, and then I was ok. I just kept thinking after the show that I know the votes were screwed up. It's not fair that most of the votes didn't get through so it wasn't a fair count. I just keep thinking that it's kinda funny that Clay, who is the runner up, is the one that is ahead in all the polls. He is also number 1 at amazon.com and is most likely gonna sell more records. And that's what really counts and shows who the true winner is.

And I don't know how this American Idol Tour works, but I seriously hope Ruben doesn't sing too much, because I paid a lot of money for these tickets. I bought them mostly to see Clay, and a few other finalists that I like, and I don't want to see about half the show be Ruben because he bores me.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Let's look at the positives....

They're both winners - and they'll both be stars, as well as a couple of the other finalists. By stretching out the show and with the upcoming tour they're all getting a lot of exposure. They have different styles and there's room for both of them in the music business.

They're both Southern Gentlemen and were both gracious with how they handled the results. They're obvious good friends. That's exactly the kind of attitudes I'd like "idols" to have, they're both the kind of people to set good examples. Throughout the shows, it was nice to see how these young people supported one another and it was obvious from the very beginning.

There's a lot more prejudice in the world than just black and white and although I wanted Clay to win, I get a great deal of satisfaction over someone heavy winning. It shows a great deal of maturity and acceptance that people voted for someone who was outside the "norms" of what the public usually seems to want.

 

[stormi65]

A couple of the online newspaper reports claim that Clay has been offered a contract as well. Is it with the same record company that Ruben is with?

How long will it be before his CD comes out?

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

No the real winner is Ruben, based on the criteria set up before the show.

It's amazing how the Aiken Clones are saying anything to put down Ruben and say how Clay really won, which he didn't. He got made look like straight brownbagel.

 

[stormi65]

I'd have to disagree with you. I noticed you were the one earlier who mentioned the word "race" too. I'd have differ with you on that too.


Ruben is the official "American Idol" - but Clay and Kimberly Locke are assured careers because of their talent also. Ruben will make a wonderful ballad singer in the spirit of Barry White, Lionel Ritchie.

 

[CookieGVB]

Even with pre-recorded music and vocals, I doubt Ruben will be able to handle more than 3 songs for the tour. Did anyone SEE how much he was sweating during tonight's show?

I like Ruben, and I'm happy a heavy dude was able to win, even though my preference was definitely for Clay.

But seriously, someone should work with him on his interview skills - they showed a part of the press conference that was peppered with "HUH?"s and "It's cool" - he actually told one interviewer he was tired and wanted to go lie down. I wish him luck getting through the rest of the year - he won't have too much time to go lie down.

 

[CookieGVB]

Originally posted by JoeThaNo1Stunna

It's amazing how the Aiken Clones are saying anything to put down Ruben and say how Clay really won, which he didn't. He got made look like straight brownbagel.

Can you translate this into English for us white racist conservative types?

 

[stormi65]

I hope the recording company that Ruben is with can guide him with his health and get him through the year. Ruben is a investment for them so it is in their best interest to trim him down and see that he is eating and resting right. He is going to be a busy man. A whirlwind of publicity and travel.


Good luck to Ruben.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Wow, now we're bashing fat people. This is very sad.

 

[stormi65]

I was just thinking how amazing that in this "thin is in" age we live in, a 350 + man was voted idol. And you know what, it is amazing. It shows talent over looks. That anyone, no matter what they weigh or look like if they had the talent t,hey had a chance on the show.


Teenagers have too many poor role models already. Ruben is a regular guy who actually made it.

 

[PKK/MJK]

What an incredible disappointment!! Clay was far and away the more talented performer. Ruben is a great guy but his style bores me to death. I think what makes me really annoyed is the miserably unfair voting situation. I, too, voted for three hours with very little success because of the constant busy signals!! I know I was not alone in this. Many people-- both Clay's and Ruben's fans--had the same problem. Had everyone who wanted to vote been able to get through, I wonder what the result would have been? Perhaps Ruben would still have won, perhaps not--but at least it would have been fair. One vote per phone line makes sense to me. Or voting on the internet. Fox has to do something to make this more fair and more legitimate.

Our local Fox5/New York City said they were again deluged with phone calls from people who were not able to vote. They said that ATT's response to their inquiries on this is that "it is not our fault." ATT says it is the fault of all the local phone companies around the country. They also said there would be no recount--the results stand regardless.

It does seem hard to believe that there were over 25 million votes and there was only a 1300 vote difference!! Very strange!!

Clay was on Fox5/NYC and he said he has NOT had any definite recording contract offers at this point. Clive Davis did say that both had started recording but perhaps that is so they'd be ready no matter who won. Hopefully, though, Clay will be offered a contract--they'd be nuts not to sign him.

 

[clutter]

***********, wonderful post! Seems like the winner and runner-up are handling this better than the fans!!

Stormi, it was mentioned a couple of times on the show that Simon signed both and that he's planning to release their CD's the same week. Smart move, he's capitalizing on the "showdown" this week. In fact, both have already started recording. MaryJo, that's strange because even Clay was talking about the showdown when their records are released.

ShuisFan, as for the polls, they are not necessarily representative. The Fox station in DC had a poll and Ruben won 60% to 40%. But this is a town where the top station is R&B. There's probably a zillion polls that you don't see that Ruben won because they are sites you don't go to. Just like Amazon is only representative of amazon users' preferences. Their best selling books never really match up to the NYTimes or other best selling lists. I would imagine that their best selling music wouldn't be the same as Billboard.

Given that they could only name one "idol", I think they did a great job of being as equitable as they could. But I agree, they should limit calls to one per household/cellphone.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Just checked in on Amazon-- Ruben has moved up from #57 to #3, but Clay is still #1. Kind of funny, that

 

[supercarrie]

Congrats to Ruben. I wanted Clay to win, but either one of them deserved it. It was wonderful to see how happy Clay was for him. They both seem like they have grown to be very close. What should be interesting is if Simon's claim that their albums will come out the same week holds true. Album sales can't be controlled by busy signals...(although I guess some crazy fans could buy 20+ copies of the album.)

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I changed the channel,after sheding a few tears

 

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by supercarrie
It was wonderful to see how happy Clay was for him. They both seem like they have grown to be very close.

Am I the only one who though Clay wasn't very gracious in defeat last night? His comments about Ruben "Stealing his title" and seeing how they would do "in the real race" were in very poor taste. Even if they were in good fun, the only thing he should have been doing was congratulating Ruben and thanking his fans and supporters. I've liked Clay from the start (though I think Ruben is mor of a "Pop Star"), but the way he acted last night really turned me off.

 

[cinmell]

Originally posted by Demosthenes
Am I the only one who though Clay wasn't very gracious in defeat last night? His comments about Ruben "Stealing his title" and seeing how they would do "in the real race" were in very poor taste. Even if they were in good fun, the only thing he should have been doing was congratulating Ruben and thanking his fans and supporters. I've liked Clay from the start (though I think Ruben is mor of a "Pop Star"), but the way he acted last night really turned me off.

No, you are not the only one. My husband and I thought the same thing you did and we were kind of put off by Clay with those comments.