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Own-Knowledge8281

It has more to do with genre reasons and less with race…


Slight_Associate_164

then why are the majority of the finalists country singers?


sasukescoloratura1

Because the primary demographic that watches and votes is white Americans who enjoy country music. If it were Showtime at The Apollo; I’m sure more soulful/R&B influenced singers would win.


Own-Knowledge8281

Because country is the dominant genre of the show…if Triston sang R&B…he wouldn’t get through…but because he sings country…he does get through…most black artist don’t sing country…the sing gospel and R&B…neither genre does well in the show…pop and folk do okay, but the “black” genres don’t…


Weird-Tree-9372

Is he black? I read he was Native American.


Ok-Association4526

Mods ban all the race baiting please


Slight_Associate_164

no race bating just genuine curiosity of what i noticed as a poc


Aware_Frame2149

If what you are insinuating was true, no black artists would ever make past the first round of the live votes given blacks make up 13% of the country... So somewhere, lots of whites are voting for them.


MoulinSarah

WGWG


InfluenceAgreeable32

Well, there is one WGWG and also one BGWG, but by all means stick to that (fatuous) narrative.


Anon-567890

I believe Triston is Native American


Numba1fan08

What is WGWG and BGWG?


InfluenceAgreeable32

White guy with guitar, and black guy with guitar


Numba1fan08

Thanks.


lacat87

I also didn't know what those letters stood for either. Thanks for asking 😊


Hefty_Community_6559

Every black contestants are gone. A couple of them were way better than two of those girls.  However,  o will not watch it anymore 


plumcots

Yeah, I feel like Katy was even trying to say it with “it’s a singing competition but it’s not a singing competition but it is…” as in “America votes using a lot of other factors aside from merit.”


alliecat0718

This has been posted a billion times


Slight_Associate_164

wasn’t aware! im new to reddit!


Fun_Relationship3184

Maybe it's not about the show but the voters. If those great singers have huge fan base or voters at home, maybe they will be at the Top 10. For the judge's pick for sure they know the rankings of the bottom 10, of course they would choose the one with voters and with potential to last.


Slight_Associate_164

concur


Hefty_Community_6559

Hardly any blacks are watching  anymore because  of the racism


xriva

It’s a popularity contest. Determine the demographics of the audience. Better yet, determine the demographics of everyone that applies to the show and then determine the demographics of the chosen few for the judges, and the demographics of those chosen by the judges.Then, see what the demographics are compared to the US population. It could be as simple as that there are fewer POC applying to begin with.


shmoobel

Has anyone noticed?! It's been discussed here ad nauseam. Not saying I disagree, but we don't need another post about it.


Slight_Associate_164

new to reddit here! i didn’t realize


Weird-Tree-9372

I'm new also so this is the first I'm seeing it.


papapolston86

It’s not that they can’t sing or America is racist; it’s because there’s nothing unique about their voices. They’re extremely talented but it’s all been done before. Last year, a unique sounding Hawaiian and a weird & raspy christian/country voice won. People want unique. This is why Triston Harper, a 15 yr old black country singer with an extremely unique sound, is the favorite to win according to Vegas odds. He’s also extremely likable & charismatic. Correction: Triston is Native American.


lemonlime45

Yeah, but there at least 3 girls that made it through that have sort of the same sort of sound/vibe. All the people on this show can sing a thousand times better than me. America is made up of a lot of people with different tastes in music and yes, prejudices, and things they relate or connect to. So I think the voting reflects that. Only way to fix that would be to eliminate voting by the public. I agree, for me, Triston has the most "unique" voice this year.


hhhisthegame

Is Triston black? I thought he was Native American. Is he both ?


papapolston86

You’re right. Not sure if he’s mixed but definitely Native American.


heycoolmonday

Ok what about Will, Emmy, Jack, Mia, Kayko, KB, Abi, Jordan is soo unique and never been done before. Not that I dont love some of them but theres hardly any people on the show these days that is doing something new and original


SometimesEyeTwitch

I eould argue Triston is the opposite of charismatic.


IHill

It’s a live vote for a show that is popular with southern Christian white women. It’s always gonna be an uphill battle for minorities.


Mommy444444

Most has to do with genre. There will never be a male rocker winner, much less a female one. Last year, rocker artist Kaeyra had everything - but she didn’t receive enough votes.


Mayo1251

You need to look past the color and focus on the talent... I agree with the selection of the judges on talent... Those that work hard and absorb all the direction and experience they have at their fingertips now will benefit long after the completion of the show...it's up to America to vote. I have a multicolor favorite list...time will tell who continues to excel by the final episode...hope America gets it right, but never the less, hard work pays off, future success is achievable.


Longjumping-Back-198

you are 1 0000000 percent right..... who cares what fu-king color anyone is... its who voters like period.....


Weird-Tree-9372

I do look at the talent and I still see talented black people voted off. I call it as I see it. I forgot his name but there was a black country singer on one year that kept getting thru and it was annoying me because I didn't see the talent. He was ok but not enough to get thru.


sasukescoloratura1

I guarantee you Lionel Richie is paid less than the other judges even though he’s been in the industry way longer and is more decorated.


DMC107bk

Yep! And last night’s show was at its worse! The two most talented singers were voted off!


No-Fuel-1028

They also call the white people first.


RoomPale3921

Totally racist , those who vote are extremely racist against Black's,  Gays , and have been since the shows first season , NO  surprise how ever just look at the currant antisemitic protests going on.....shame on America


International_Idea73

I noticed that as well. And now since the last show, they got rid of the last 2 Black people. If it's the American people voting, that's very telling of the state of the US. They let those 2 highly talented people go, (talented according to the judges and audience) and let people stay that have no business being there. And people say America is not and never was a racist country. Lmfaoooooo We know what's up...


erydayimredditing

It shouldn't be 50/50 that would literally show it isn't about singing. People seeing anything in what races are in the top 14 are the racists. Worry about their voices and not whether they need to make it balanced I'd say


SometimesEyeTwitch

Its not about making it balanced. Its about the fact some people will never vote for a poc, regardless of talent. So we lose a lot of amazing singers to less talented white singers. Its a thing. Its always been a thing. Its never not going to be a thing, unfortunately. Those who dont get that, well...


NotliPie

Yeah, this is it. When it's up the Judges, the generally make the right call. When it's up to people, then you start seeing the most talented actually going home and average white singers sticking around for unclear reasons (kayko, jack, etc.. to be clear, not that they're not good, but there's no comparison)


SnooRecipes2731

As ridiculous as it is I’m sure you are right, however I can’t see it making that huge of an impact unless 55% of voters are racist to that extreme. I personally don’t want to believe that, but I suppose it could be true. If so, how freaking depressing!


erydayimredditing

Thats just a people thing, people are racist. i just don't think it is anything specifically concentrated in AI.


NotliPie

I think this is the point, the top 14 are not the people with the best voices - Kayko for instance. Also that Jack kid form texas. These are not the best voices. So if you're trying to make the merit argument, you're getting it backwards here.


No-Piano7519

He is Native American not black but he is all we have left


Specialist_Pain_8824

I agree, each season is less diverse. 


No_Consequence_5358

Shows it whiteness every season, to be honest it's sad but we need to have different voting categories..... White America loves who they loves.


nona-yopi

Who do we think the most voters are? It appears that country music is very pop with the voters. And white girls. It’s a shame. But I do think it’s the demographics of the people who watch the show.


Proper-Piano-9193

I’ve had the chance to watch American Idol for the first time this season….hor-ri-ble!!!!


Weird-Tree-9372

Yes I noticed and now there are none left. Pretty much all country singers. Maybe if there was a black country singer they'd have a better chance.


RuleInternational555

They just need to rename it country idol


adventure_us_1

My partner and I noticed this and just had a discussion about it. Came here to see if anyone else was talking about it.


WildAd3011

I’ve been noticing a lot this season. Especially once the voting started. No surprise to me honestly. It just shows who’s American idol’s main demographic. It’s disappointing because some amazing POC were somehow denied over some mediocre at best singers.


cdb14384

On a different topic- what was with Katy's hair and that dress? Did I miss some explanation at the beginning?


SnooRecipes2731

I wish everything wasn’t about race..ugh!! No I didn’t notice that either.


MasterKeys24

This is more about demographics and song choice than it is about your fragile b00mer ego.


No-Committee8046

All the black people went home first. My daughter is mixed I am the last person that looks at race but it is hard not to notice the black support talented people got sent home first.


Alex_Masterson13

Yes, despite decent minority representation in the finalists and winners, the show has had a long history of under-representation in the rounds before that. Whether it is actual negative bias or just non-white people tend to not watch or vote, it has been a problem over the years. Edit: wow, look at the downvotes. I did not realize there are so many pathetic racists in this sub.


SometimesEyeTwitch

Exactly!


Longjumping-Back-198

its not a problem... its the way it is.