Sanjaya Malakar
I had planned a totally different post for today, but with all the hype and talk surrounding American Idol and 17-year-old contestant Sanjaya Malakar, I couldn’t stand not to speak my mind.
I think this guy is one plucky teenager-heck, he’s courageous for someone of any age! Week after week, he’s been coming out and singing with his chin up and a smile on his face. This, after receiving (usually) harsh criticism in front of millions of viewers from Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. Then, he’s usually skewered by the media and tons of bloggers for another full week, until it’s time for him to perform again.
A lot of adults can, and do, fold under a lot less pressure than this! Personally, I’m sort of in awe of the guy. I mean (to put it in a context more of us can identify with), suppose your boss called a meeting of the entire company every week and proceeded to criticize your work in front of everyone? One occasion of this would be bad enough, but imagine it was happening to you week after week? Wouldn’t it be even tougher for you to work, given that situation?
Sure, I know the contestants voluntarily put themselves in this position, but let’s give some credit where credit is due. If you were in a situation like this, you could break down and drop out. It would certainly be an easy way out. To choose to keep coming back week after week, to me shows courage, commitment and determination. Regardless of whether you think Sanjaya’s a good singer, you have to give him credit for his pluck factor.
I think Sanjaya Malakar’s parents have done an excellent job of parenting this particular teen.
American Idol, Sanjaya, Sanjaya Malakar, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, parenting teens, parenting teenagers, teens, teenagers
March 25th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I agree with you 100% about Sunjaya. You know, he also has to deal with Howard Stern (the radio announcer guy - not the one with Anna Nicole) telling everyone on the air to vote for Sanjay because he’s the worst. He’s just a teenager. Can you imagine how it must make him feel to know what’s happening…
April 1st, 2007 at 3:06 am
Totally agree with you. Last week one critisism from my boss spoiled the whole week. This sanjaya dude is sure mature for his age. Kudos to him and his parents!
April 1st, 2007 at 5:36 am
I’ve had a few of those criticisms, Dude! Sanjaya’s doing well with keeping himself afloat!
April 11th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Thoughtful commentary. You neglected to mention that his fortitude is most likely the result of a focus on the income he will have access to with all the exposure AI provides its “contestants.” Money keeps many individuals in our society today focused. So, unfortunately, does false praise. He’s quite a cute young man, however — very personable.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
[...] Apr 11th, 2007 by kellypea In our local paper, Ruben Navarette Jr. writes with fair weather passion about “Judging the ‘Idol’ judges.” In a recent post in Parenting Teens, an overly-protective author writes about the “courage, commitment, and determination” of the “plucky” teenage performer, Sanjaya. In “Chinks in the ‘Idol’ armor?” Verne Gay puts on a spin worth considering about the change in AI’s rankings. It doesn’t matter, because as the television world turns… [...]