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« Kris's Korner
America's Got Talent-What are the parents thinking?
OK, I admit to watching America's Got Talent. Even without the kids. So I watched last nights premier, and basically enjoyed the show. There was a nice mix of the good, the bad, and the cringe-worthy. However, there was one audition that really stood out in my mind.
The adorable 4-year-old girl, Kaitlyn. Now, I wholeheartedly agree, she's an adorable sweetheart. And she stood on that stage with poise and an apparent lack of fear. But I have to ask, WHAT ARE HER PARENTS THINKING? I agree with Sharon, she sang all the words, sang along with the melody, and did it in front of hundreds of people. But why? My oldest daughter, who is 11, can sing and has a lovely voice which has really started to blossom over the last couple of years. But I wouldn't dream of letting her audition!
And let me not forget the judges. I was thinking to myself, how are they going to let this sweet, innocent little girl down easy? But then Piers, of all people, tells her she has the best voice for a 4-year-old that he's ever heard, and puts her through to Vegas. Again I ask, WHY?
Again, I agree, she's adorable, and not many kids 2 or 3 times her age could handle being on stage in front of that many people. But why put her through to Vegas? Why allow her to audition?
It boggles my mind.
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Jun 18, 2008 8:58 AM
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Kris - I said the same thing you did when she came out. Four year olds have no sense of pitch or rhythm. Then I heard her. I swear she is a genuine Phenom or something. She was on pitch and got every word right and she just turned four? I still think as a parent I wouldn't even consider opening up my child to that insanity. But she was something extraordinary and her parents were young enough that they probably just want everyone to see that and didn't think of the possible long term ramifications.
Some of the snippets we got of cute but not so phenomenal kids broke my heart too. We are rejected so many times in life, is it necessary to set your kids up for it with their accordians at age 8?
I love this show. It's better than American Idol IMO. I love, love, love Jerry Springer as the host.
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Jun 18, 2008 11:26 AM
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Hey Cindy. I do agree that the girl has some natural ability. The parents must be naive though to think that she can display enough talent at 4 to win the darn thing. Cause that's the only reason I'd put my kid out there. My daughters both compete in irish dance, so I know on a local level the stress they have when they get on that little stage. They've even performed in front of an audience, both alone and with teams. But no way would I put them out there on national TV unless I thought it was worth that huge amount of stress. And the only way I would believe it to be worth it was if I thought they could either win or that the exposure on TV would get them something else (a job, maybe?).
I agree this is better than Idol. Especially at this stage. They got through 3 cities worth of auditions in 1 night! Love Jerry Springer too!
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Jun 18, 2008 11:53 AM
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Kris - the exposure and other opportunities I think might be some people's motivation. I mean the guy with the trombone that danced or the kid with the baton were absolutely great - unique - talented - but can they win? I doubt it. However, it may lead to other things. Like my husband said when the four year old was out there - "we'll be seeing her on all the talk shows probably." Maybe that is what her parents want. It still seems a little exploitive to me.
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Jun 18, 2008 12:26 PM
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Wasn't the winner or runner up of the first season a 12 year old girl?
I do definitely see where you are coming from and I see where the parents (possibly) are coming from. The child can sing!! On the tv shows blog, they mentioned Kaitlyn and said apparently it was done completely acapella (sp). No that is definitely talent.
Yes they are possibly exposing this little girl to tons of things and possibly exposing her to things they couldn't give her. It's hard to say when the motives aren't exactly given to us.
I do have to say though that the judges were alot nicer to the little kids then they were to some of the adults. Did you ever hear the little girl in britain that sang 'somewhere over the rainbow'?? Incredible.
Atleast the kid is being told she has an amazing voice and its true! Unlike AI!!!
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Jun 18, 2008 12:51 PM
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Hi indy! She didn't sing acapella - they played the music. But she sang the words all on her own, so she wasn't just singing along with the CD. I was very glad that they were nice to her (and the other kids as well - I know last year Piers came down awfully hard on some of the kids). I didn't hear the girl from Britain either.
And yes, the winner from the first year was 11 or so, and one of the front-runners last year was about that age, maybe a bit older. But both of them were at least old enough to understand what was going on. Unlike a 4-year-old who is only doing this because her parents want her to. (And before anyone gets started, yes, I know many young talents get started and are out there only because their parents put them out there. It's just not what I would do to either of my daughters. My oldest was born the year (just a couple days before) JonBenet was killed, so I guess that's left an impression.)
Cindy-You're probably right. She'll be on all the talk shows with her parents and whatnot. But, in my opinion, she's way too young to be put out there on the national stage!
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Jun 18, 2008 1:05 PM
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The same thoughts were running through my mind as well.
There will always be cute kids who can sing on shows like these. You see them all the time on talk shows like Ellen or Jay Leno, and like Cindy mentioned we'll probably be seeing her on one of those realy soon.
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Jun 18, 2008 1:26 PM
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Hi Kris, I saw a clip of this but not the show. She is a doll. I don't think I'd have the guts to put my kid up for a national contest like this, especially one where the judges can be so mean. That I wouldn't do. But I raised a kid that jumped into every play and musical he could get into and he loved it. Still sings on a worship team and talks in front of groups, does plays, etc. But I understand what you're saying. Big difference between a school/church/community or even professional audition and putting a little one up on a show where three potentially mean people could traumatize her with nasty comments. Great blog and congrats on the star!!!!
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Jun 18, 2008 1:29 PM
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Hi Vickie! Exactly my point. And this year they've added an audience. Yikes! So not only are the contestants subject to the reactions of the judges, they've got to contend with the rabid audience, which the minute they decide (or are maybe prompted) they don't like you, they are booing, making hand/arm waves (like, get off the stage, can't really describe in words) and really getting loud. Fortunately they were quiet during Kaitlyn's audition.
She is cute as a button though!
And boy was I surprised by that pretty little star! Made my day!
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Jun 18, 2008 1:48 PM
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I agree with you.. What I meant was on the tv show blog they mention she sang acapella and then digitally added the music on after.
I completely get what you are saying and if and when I have kids, I sincerely doubt that I would be doing that either. School plays and ballet recitals yes, huge live television talent show, no. I wonder what got them to put her on?
You could tell on her face after she finished singing that she was really shy or didn't have a clue what was going on. I am leaning towards not understanding.
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Jun 18, 2008 1:51 PM
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indy-Really? They added the music? I was having problems with the site this morning, so I didn't read the TVShow Blog for the episode. Hmmmm. Why would they feel the need to add the music? That's a reasonably well-known song.
Definitely didn't understand what was going on. My girls have been on stage doing various things (theater, dance) since kindergarten, and it's just been recently that the younger one (9) has mentioned being nervous prior to getting on stage. Of course, she was the one who, at 4 (3 maybe?) was at a dance recital and didn't notice the rest of her class had just danced off stage. When she noticed, she very cutely scampered off stage.
On the other hand, as I said earlier, to be able to walk out on that stage in front of 100s of people is an accomplishment on its own. I couldn't do it!
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Jun 18, 2008 2:06 PM
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It sure didn't seem like they added it. She seemed to look over and wait for it to start. If that is true they sure did a great job at adding it.
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Jun 18, 2008 2:09 PM
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Oh, and did they flash her name AND hometown on screen? I was over on the NBC site, and there was a message with her first and last name. Sure, let's let all the crazies know who she is. YIKES! 
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Jun 18, 2008 2:28 PM
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Hi!
I didn't see the show. But I did see some of it last season. And I really did like Jerry Springer as the host too.
I think it is scary these days to become famous. Look at Miley what they have done just because of that stupid picture! I have never wanted to be famous at all. (Rich yes and that hasn't happened!) But even more so now with all the TMZ's and everything else. People can't be happy liking someone famous ~ they are happier to tear them to shreds and make them has beens that have to hide from cameras. It is hard enough for a well adjusted adult (of which there are not too many of!) but soooo much harder for a kid. Scary.
Congrats on the star!
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Jun 18, 2008 3:16 PM
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There was an article on MSN online the other day saying the two most powerful women in entertainment are Oprah Winfrey and Miley Cyrus - say what? Does she qualify as a woman at 15?
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Jun 18, 2008 5:58 PM
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