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Eliminated 'Idol' Josiah's Next Step
Ah, the manipulative power of television. I've just gotten off the phone with Josiah Leming who, thanks to the producers of "American Idol," is now enjoying his 15 minutes of fame in a big way. I'm not sure why 18-year-old Josiah was the chosen one this season to become the person they gave so much airtime too (and then send packing!) but believe me he is not complaining. OK, well he sort of isn't complaining,
"My belief is that they were trying to make me look bad. They were trying to make me look like a crybaby and then trying to make me look like I was overconfident - but I'm thankful. If I could see them right now, I would give them the biggest hug ever because they have launched my career."
It's true! Josiah told me, thanks to this publicity, he has sold over 1,000 albums on his MySpace page and has earned himself a cool $9,000 in the process. Not a bad take for a kid who lives in his car. Although, he doesn't live there anymore, Josiah tells me. It sounds like those days are over. Mostly, it's because his car is broken down. Not to worry. A local car dealership in his hometown of Morristown, Tennessee has come to the rescue and offered him a car to borrow while he pursues his dreams.
Plus, it gets better. The President of Fox has called him and requested a meeting about casting him for something else and "The Ellen Degeneres Show" is flying him out on Monday to perform on the show.
"It will be me and the piano and I don’t know exactly what I'll do yet. I have a good idea but everyone will just have to watch and see cause that will be great."
So, why did such an obviously talented get passed over for the Top 24? Well, if you spend anytime on the Idol blogs and message boards (and their are a lot of them) many are saying its because he broke the rules of the "American Idol" contract and was giving information away about who made the Top 24. Three weeks ago the website Idolforums successfully spoiled the Top 24 list. Josiah's say this is absolutely not true,
"That's incorrect and I don’t let things like that faze me. People are gonna say what people are gonna say. It holds no substance."
He does believe that the spoilers came from some of his fellow Top 50 contestants,
"You have definitely got your people that are bitter and I believe that’s the people it comes from. I wasn’t bitter. I was fine either way."
The bad news was that he didn't make the Top 24. The good news is that now he won't be tied up in that little legal document that would have kept him under lock and key for a long time,
"I had to sign a contract of keeping of my mouth shut until it airs but I'm completely free now. I want a record deal and I wont settle for anything less. I want someone that believes in me. Maybe it is over confidence but I truly believe in my heart that I could make somebody a lot of money."
He still comes across as cocky. I'm glad he got booted - I think that faux British accent thing would've gotten on my nerves at some point.
I don't think AI made him look bad. He made himself look bad...and obviously he's getting the most out of it.
I loved Josiah's voice and am disappointed I won't be hearing more of it on American Idol. They really messed up--he has star quality and and star talent. I am sure with the boost from appearing on American Idol he will make it though. He's the only one I thought "wow" when I heard him sing.
"faze me", not "phase me".
I loved Josiah and will talk to American Idol about bringing him back!!
Wish me luck!!!
I think he blew it by getting rid of the band. I venture to guess this "cocky", "I can do fine on my own" attitude is one reason he has chosen to live by himself in his car. If he doesn't get over this trait before signing a record deal he could easily become a young burn out in a matter of a few years.
Seriously, who wrote this article? Has the person learned even the slightest thing about spelling or grammar?
"so much airtime too" - should be "so much airtime to"
"an obviously talented get passed over" - doesn't make sense. Do you mean an obvious talent or maybe an obviously talented guy?
"(and their are a lot of them)" - should be "and THERE are a lot of them"
"many are saying its because" - should be "it's because"
"Josiah's say this" - should be Josiah says
This young man will be forever...The one that got away from IDOL. This young man is Kurt Cobain without the demons, He is gifted and beyond talented. People used to assk Madonna what she was going to do when she was in high school...She would reply I am going to be world famous...Whatever happened to her?
what about all this talk of carly already having a contract?bring josiah back!!!!!!!!!!
Aha Well Josiah was my favorite, cos he's cute and like to me he was really good, I felt kinda bad for him cos of him having to live in his car?
But like hopefully He ends up moving on, and does gain something :)
I teared up when he got booted, but hopefully he will persue his dream, I think he should Join a band, instead of singing solo. But whatever he wants.
:)
Emily Boyle.
Josiah is a great talent and seems like a great kid; I was bummed that he didn't make the cut on the show. If you watch the show, it's pretty clear why he didn't make it -- not because he asked the band to leave, but because his rendition of "Stand By Me" was pretty bad. It was all over the place and clearly wasn't practiced. In the movie version of Josiah's life, he does an amazing job, the judges love him and respect him for taking risks and succeeding, and he flies through and wins Season 7. In reality though, there was a professional singing audition in which one guy who didn't practice his song and didn't have a band went up against a bunch of other people who did, and who did. That will almost never end well.
In short, an 18-year-old made an 18-year-old choice and it didn't work out. Josiah is special though, and it'll work out for him in the end.
talented? may be. cocky? sure.
i definitely wont be buying his cd if it is ever going to be one.
Josiah has great talent, and can go far, maturity & time will polish him, AI gave him the opportunity, he owes them his new life. I bought the 15 dollar album off his myspace, great stuff, can't wait for more!
Josiah was amazing!!! ... pretty hot too. lol He totally deserved to make it more than Danny Noriega or w/e his name is and ESPECIALLY more than Colton. I think Josiah should hop in his car and drive on down to Florida to see me. lol I was pretty upset/mad when they told Josiah that he didn't make it, but even Randy, Paula, and that jerk Simon screw up. No one is perfect lol. I LOVE YOU JOSIAH!!