Reader comments
Not all 'Idol' finalists are treated equally

there is one fellow that is a judge
that fellow should get another job
he critise everybody if he hates them so much then he should listen to news instead of songs to that person couldnt judge a pet show get a new job
there was a few singers that went on they were not bad at all but you knocked them down just the same tell me do you like yourself ? you need help buddy
talk to a shrink you need it!!!if your wondering if i sing the answer would be no not really but im not on your show
I wouldnt embarrass myself in front of millions of viewers im not a singer
but i know good voices when i hear it
some singers yes i know they were not really good enough but some were and you knocked them down you need a new job
Joe

You made it a lot further in that competition than you deserved to, Carmen. Your voice is just not remarkable beyond the bizarre vibrato. Reality check time, dear. Your whining and naming names 5 years after the fact sound quite sour grapes and unattractive. No one is buying that you're bringing it up to apply to this season, you know. Record straight: Aiken didn't do better because of extra coaching, as you're implying, that's for darn sure. Some friend you turned out to be.

Carmen, you sure sound bitter. However, you just weren't as good the the others on season 2.

Wow Carmen...have you and Kim Locke been chatting with each other?? What's up with the Aiken diss? Sorry honey but after watching AI Rewind Season 2, I agree with the poster above who felt you went farther in that competition than you should have. If Clay received extended coaching maybe it was because his voice is outstanding?? Maybe if you had mentioned a few other AI2 alumni in your article, it wouldn't look like sour grapes. He knew how to dissect his performance. You didn't. Your fellow AI2 performers were at their own mercy to figure out how to prepare week after week since I don't think Debra Byrd was a 'qualified' vocal coach IMO.

Carmen, You don't sound bitter. It sounds like you are just telling the truth about what your experience was. God bless you in your career. You have what it takes to make it in country music, and don't let a handful of hateful people ever stop you or slow you down. Keep the faith.

I treat them all equally. I don't watch the show, don't watch any of them, and don't buy any of their music. I like being fair and I believe that I am.

Reply to Al and WOW! Don't hammer down on someone for being honest from their point of view. Favoritism takes place in every walk of life and she is just pointing out that it happens on idol as well. Yes those people were better than her and for some reason coaches tend to work even more with those they perceive as better instead of those that really need it. Wake up and look around you sometime!

I enjoy watching the various talents on the show, but just like all "reality" shows, the show is there for the money. The person that will bring in the viewers is the one that will stay regardless of the amount of talent.

Several seasons ago I quit watching 'Idol' because Cowell is such an .... (how can I put it??? He doesn't even qualify to be the north end of a southbound donkey!)

Thanks for your perspective on the show.

Carmen, I enjoyed your performances on AI, and I enjoy your work now. I think the commenters here are being too hard on you.

But I don't think you were denied coaching. I suspect Clay, who was older and more experienced -- as well as being a perfectionist -- went into the session with lots of questions for Ms. Byrd. My guess is that she wasn't allowed to just 'make over' people's performances her own way. But if a singer already knows what he or she wants and is interested in trying different methods to achieve the effects, then the coach is able to help. Did you ask specific questions? Did you already have the song analyzed when you arrived? Perhaps you did but maybe not as much as Clay did.

I must add, too, that Clay has always been supportive and complementary to you. He seemed to always be the one who cheered you up when critics were less than kind. I am curious why in recent years you seem to be less and less kind to him.

I have stood up for you a couple of times during your run so far writing these articles for DN, and think you really are trying to do your best, but got to admit. When I read this article, you really sounded rather bitter as some of the other posters stated. I don't think you necessarily meant to, but it really came across that way. Perhaps it just wasn't a good "writer's" day for you.

Keep it up, it's good to hear perspective from a contestant on the show instead of the journalists who 'fawn' over the 'phenomena' that Idol has become. It's a competition and those who work hard to improve give themselves the best chance to go far. Thanks for the article!

I did not think Carmen sounded bitter at all. I am a senior citizen who has taken a liking to AI in the past 2 or 3 years and I am appreciative of behind-the-scenes insights that someone like Carmen is able to offer. It's helps me to better understand the show's dynamics.

I have read several of Carmen's AI reports over the past few weeks. IMO, her positive and informative approach overall are a better indication of where she is coming from than trying to read too much into one particular article. I see no reason to attribute a negative "agenda" to her useful and informative comments about how the vocal coaching worked during her Idol experience. If she has a little bias (and I am not saying that she does), so what? Doesn't everyone?

Carmen sounds like a good person so I hope she keeps offering her insights, even at the risk of offending a few overly sensitive types. I am not familiar with her music (or the music of any AI folks from the first 4 seasons for that matter) but I suspect she has a fine talent and is leading a well balanced life.

I just don't understand what you are trying to imply - that you got less coaching because you are from Utah? And because you think they were discriminating against perceived Utah Mormons? What a lame claim. You lost my respect with your singing. Now this article is just an embarrassment! Move on and get a job at Walmart or something for which you are qualified. Obviously, you don't know a thing about the performing industry!

Maybe he just asked for more help? Wasn't he a music major or something? That may have had something to do with it.

If the coaches automatically helped out the contestants, then they would be held responsible if the advice given is not well received by the judges. It makes perfect sense for them not to go out of the way to give a contestant coaching unless that contestant ASKS for it. It has to be the contestants decision. That's the only fair way to do it!

I had originally been a Carmen fan. When she couldn't sing as well as the rest as the season progressed, I kept expecting her to go home. Kim Locke had much more range and appealing tone. I thought I liked Carmen as a person, but now not. You mention Clay Aiken getting more assistance, but the funny thing is, he WAS NOT THE CHOSEN ONE, Ruben was. And Simon made no question as to that, and even went so far to say, 'We've got a problem. I want Ruben and Clay in the finale and Kimberley just had a great rehearsal." Favoritism is everywhere. In all walks of life. Get used to it Carmen, esp. in this business. It is a dog eat dog industry.

I enjoy watching the show and to make it to the top seven is spectacular! I do not like the gal with all the tatoo's on her arm, although she has a good voice, I do really like the kid from UTAH! Good luck to him!

I am sure Carmen has wanted to get this out in the air for a long time...give her a break, it's something that has bothered her and she's allowed to let it go. Good for you Carmen!

How can anybody watch something as mindless and moronic as American Idol? Isn't there something better to be doing? Like picking your teeth or twiddling your thumbs?

Have you ever read a book?

Wah, Clay got more time than me. Wah. Get over it.

Got to make a point here, considering some have mentioned that Ms. Rasmussen got farther than she should have. Here's the secret - Mormon's LOVE to vote for their own. It's true; think Romney, Archuleta, Benji on "So You Think You Can Dance," etc. To clarify, I am a practicing Mormon as well, but have never voted on AI. Regardless, Mormon's vote vote vote for other Mormon's, it's what we do, and, often, we do it regardless of talent or qualifications just so long as they're LDS. Carmen should be grateful that she got as far as she did because the vocal lessons probably had little to do with it.

Second, maybe Clay asked for more time, pushed for it. Maybe he was more gracious and grateful for the time and thus the coach was more willing to work with him. We're just getting one, seemingly slightly bitter, point of view. I'd like to know waht others thought of the time.

Or, maybe Ms. Rasmussen just didn't write that section that well and we're all misinterperting it.

Carmen was simply sharing an experience of hers in regards to the fact that some contestants got more coaching and some less. Aiken just happened to be the one in the room with Byrd while she sat outside and waited for 30 min. Do you honestly think she wouldn't have told the same story about another season 2 alum if they had been the one working with Byrd for 30 min. before her short session? There was nothing bitter about it. It was just an example to illustrate a point.