Mandisa

So for those who don’t watch American Idol, Mandisa got voted off the show last night. Mandisa had a great voice, great personality, and a beautiful face. Now it’s time to say what no one but Simon Cowell has said about Mandisa — she’s big. Like really big.

Now this isn’t really a problem in life. She’s a great girl so she has lot of options open to her. I’m a big guy, so I know what it’s like to be big. It doesn’t really stop you from being a cool person, BUT what it does stop you from doing is being a pop star. Honestly.

The fact that Mandisa made it this far in American Idol is a sad testament to the American public. I know, I know, you’re thinking, “But America let her make it this far! Doesn’t this show a tolerance for overweight folk?” The answer is no, my dear reader, no it doesn’t.

What I see is that America strung along a girl, giving her hope about a career she could never have. America knew that they wouldn’t vote her to the end. America knew that they wouldn’t buy her albums if she released any. America knew that they wouldn’t eagerly watch her videos like they do Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears. I refuse to believe that they didn’t.

Proof of this can be found in the timing of Mandisa’s departure. It was after she sang a Shania Twain song and tried to even act the part. It was then that America decided to end the charade and let her know how they really felt. Let her know that when she tried to be sexy, they had to draw the line. To let her know that they had just been acting like they accepted her for who she was.

So this isn’t a rant about Mandisa or about being overweight. This is a rant about the true state of acceptance in America. That time when you were a kid when your dad put you upon his knee and said “You can be whatever you want!” was a total lie. You can’t be anything you want. You just simply can’t. America knew this about Mandisa from the time they started voting for her, but they strung her along only to dump her at the first sign that she couldn’t possibly be their Jessica Simpson.

Mandisa, you’re a great girl. You have a lot to offer to everyone around you. But you can’t be a pop star. Not because you can’t sing – but because America won’t let you. It’s best to count your blessings, and move on.