Access Blogs
The Plant, 'American Idol's' First Season Eight Controversy
Those of us who follow "American Idol" religiously each and every season remember when the name Carly Hennessy first came to light last year, prior to last season's audition shows.
Carly (who it was later found out had gotten married and her married name was Smithson) was a contestant who it turned out had a prior record deal with MCA, where Randy Jackson was working when she was signed. She released an album, which failed and was later dropped by the label. Smithson was viciously criticized by "Idol" bloggers and fans for being a "plant" placed in the competition by the producers after the story broke on votefortheworst.com. This season, the message boards are once again lighting up about a contestant who is a "plant", discovered again by the sleuths at VFTW. However, this time her connection to the show runs much deeper, which has people crying foul.
Last night, during the Louisville, Kentucky, auditions we were introduced to a singer named, Joanna Pacitti, a 24-year-old from Philadelphia. When talking about her struggle to make it as an artist, Pacitti teared up, "I've lost a lot of confidence in the past year, but I'm just trying to really calm myself down and focus and go in there and just show them what I've got." What she's got (besides a great voice) is a very long history in the music industry.
At 11 years old, she was picked to star as the lead in "Annie" on Broadway, a part she won during a Macy's talent search for a new orphan Annie. During her run with that show, she developed bronchitis and was replaced, which led to a $50 million lawsuit filed by her mother. The suit was reportedly settled out of court and the story was even reported on ABC's "20/20" and later spoofed by "Saturday Night Live" with Cheri Oteri playing the young Pacitti.
According to her Wikipedia entry, at the age of 16, Pacitti was signed with A&M records. Her songs appeared on the soundtracks for films like "Legally Blonde", "First Daughter" and the "Bratz" movie. Her song "Out From Under" was covered by none other than Britney Spears and can be heard on her most recent album, "Circus."
VFTW also claims Joanna may have gotten her spot on "Idol" because of a friendship with someone inside 19 Entertainment, the company behind the show. According to an interview she gave to Philly magazine in 2006, she is also friends with Fergie, who appeared on last season's "Idol Gives Back" special. We've also confirmed that she has gone on several dates with Mark Ballas from "Dancing With the Stars."
So here is my take on all of this. The whole controversy about whether or not she is a "plant" by the producers (to ensure a genuine recording artist makes the finals) is bothersome. I'll admit that. I hope that is not true for their sake. I thought it was smart that they addressed the fact that Pacitti had a prior record deal right off the bat last night though, which is something they did not do with Smithson. (Although it was completely transparent why they did it due to judge Kara Dioguardi's terrible acting skills trying to act surprised about knowing who Pacitti was from her former A&R deal).
Besides if she is a phenomenal singer then she does deserve a spot. Producers have always stated that you cannot have a current recording deal in order to participate in the show. Again, I will remind you that even Kelly Clarkson had a failed record deal prior to auditioning to "Idol."
The bottom line here is that up until last night of the 25 million viewers who tuned into "American Idol", most likely 99.9 percent had never heard of Joanna Pacitti. If the point of the show is to turn a new unknown singer into a household name, then what does it matter up until they get on the show, what they have done prior?
People are overeacting. This girl genuinely wants to make it in the music business - so why not include her?
Contestants who annoy me are the ones who take AI for granted (ie Jason Castro - this guy doesn't seem to even want to be in the music industry). Joanna Pacitti, on the other hand, has been working her entire life in hopes of getting a big break. There's nothing wrong with that.
i just don't think its fair to have someone who's already a developed performer to compete in an audition like this, shining above all the undiscovered talent.
What is a "developed" performer? A lot of the contestants have been singing and performing their entire lives.
It wouldn't be fair to single out someone like Joanna. Looking at her past, you can really tell that she wants to make it in this business. As someone who has struggled to build a career, she probably wouldn't take this once in a lifetime experience for granted.
Joanna couldn't even remember her lyrics,not just on group night but when she sang solo too. I thought she should've gone home anyways.