American Idol fans are upset that season 8 contender Joanna Pacitti reportedly already has an album and a Broadway show on her resume, MSNBC reports. Pacitti, who was sent through to Hollywood on Wednesday night’s episode of Idol, was cast in a Broadway production of Annie at age 11 and released the 2006 album This Crazy Life on Geffen. She also appeared on the soundtrack for Legally Blonde, sang “Out From Under” from the Bratz movie, and was featured in one of MTV’s True Life episodes. Several former Idol contenders have caused controversy due to their past experience in the business, including last season’s Kristy Lee Cookand Carly Smithson, but some fans feel that Pacitti’s experience is too deep for her to compete on the show.
Jan 23
2009
01:21 PM ET
'American Idol' contender Joanna Pacitti: Already a pro?
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Yeah, I totally have that Legally Blonde song in my collection. It’s called “Watch Me Shine.”
Who cares? She’s HOT.
She never was on Broadway. She was fired from the production of Annie out-of-town because she wasn’t good enough at the time.
I had a couple of her songs downloaded back in ’06 from her debut album. I remember her video for “Let It Slide” was on the TRL countdown for awhile and around that time she acted in a couple episodes of “What I Like About You.” So yeah, even though I do like some of her songs, her experiences are too broad to be a contestant on American Idol (and for her to cry at the audition was kind of dumb cause she knows she has a good voice.
This whole controversy every year is stupid. Just because someone’s had some success in the past doesn’t mean they don’t “deserve” to have a shot at more. Maybe everyone’s still clinging to the Fantasia fantasy, thinking that the purpose of the show is to lift someone up and change their life. The purpose of the show is to find great singers and give them a national audience. If there’s an inspirational story attached, so much the better. But really, why does it matter what they’ve done in the past? Right now, at this moment, they’re struggling to live their dreams just like everyone else. Why exclude people who already have a track record of success? Isn’t success kind of the idea?
If American Idol wants to be considered legitimate it has to go with people who have never sang with a recording company. I am okay with allowing backround singers to participate, but I draw the line there. Votefortheworst and Joesplace broke this story forever ago though. I find it odd MSNBC did not give them credit though…
Who cares. It’s like Carly and Kristy or even Brooke WhiteLee. They had experience. And prior CDs. But they got to be on American Ido. I realize Joanna’s song Out from Under is big now because Britney is covering it. But she is no different than those from prior years. Even Kelly Clarkson had a failed demo deal. It shouldn’t matter. I am not saying Joanna will win. She probably won’t. It all matters what happens on the Live Shows. If she makes it that far. She could choke or be really good and be worthy of winning. It shouldn’t matter if you had a prior record deal. Unless you’re not a fan. I wasn’t a fan of Melinda because I felt she was toooo professional sounding. So it goes both ways. But Joanna should be given a chance. Just because she has been in the business. She doesn’t have a current record deal so she is legally able to be on the show. She should be allowed.
The problem people are having is there are too many of the finalists with connections to the music business. Many have failed allbums or have been dropped from record contracts or have bit parts on tv or in theater or have been in a band. There is also a big difference between having a contract with a big record company like Geffen and putting out your own music at your own expense and hoping it sells and playing the local bars (like Taylor Hicks did). When the show started, we thought it was really about finding that waitress, or welder, or teacher or even struggling musician with raw talent but had no other way or chances or connections for a music career. The show was marketed that way by the powers that be and it hid some of its contestant’s show biz pasts. Now we are seeing it is not like that (and never really was). So it is ticking off people. Plus we really don’t know, do these people with connections get a pass on standing in line for the auditions or do they automatically
get through to at least see the judges (or automatically get through to Hollywood). And how many people have talented friends that have been turned away at auditions so the judges can see someone who has already had a chance?
Here’s the thing–I remember that song in Legally Blonde. (“watch me shine”) I’ve had it stuck in my head after it’s been on Comedy Central 6 times in one weekend. It’s not great, but she had her shot (and considering the level of syndication that movie has, plenty of exposure) This crosses a line.
she’s great eye candy. i hope she stays
I’ve always thought a lot of the show was rigged. Who decides who gets to see the judges? Obviously, some have no talent, so they are put through only for comic relief for the viewers. I’m sure many on the contestants with connections never have to wait in line for hours and show up wiped out. They look great and have been given a free pass. The viewers are crazy to think that the show is not completely manipulated for ratings. It’s not a true contest anymore, if it ever was!
well in my honest opinion, If someone you love looses a job,that they worked hard at for years. Make sure you tell them,NOOO you cant go to another job doing what you do best GIVE IT UP. There are younger people that just got out of college, have never done the job. They should get it? Crazy crap. of course she should continue to go after what she wants. if otheres are better then they will win. Go Joanna dont listen to all this stupid stuff
What’s the point of an unknown/never signed person trying out if all that’s going to get through are.
nope, she doesn’t belong. this is about finding talent, not re-discovering talent. this girl is wanting the easy way to fame. she’s been getting deals, working at it, slow but sure. now she wants to be catapulted into stardom because she’s tired of struggling……….????????
tough. this should be about undiscovered, raw, never been in front of a camera type talent. talent that was only ever on a school stage, not a Broadway stage.
I gave up on Idol this year. new judge is an idiot, Simon is still a pig, Paula seems less drunk, Randy is still living the dawg years………sheesh,