Bremer

And the award goes to ... Carmen Rasmusen

By: Paul Bremer

Posted: 4/30/08

The only thing more satisfying in life than bearing witness to one's success is to watch them ultimately crash and burn. That's precisely why we have "American Idol," the only current TV show that receives equal attention on both sides of the talent fence. It's far more entertaining to see contestants verbally stoned by rapid-firing judges than it is to share in the fairytale ending of the champion.

Taking that sadism one step further, many like to envision that our miserable, unfortunate "Idol" rejects disappear into a lyric wasteland littered with bitterness and damaged egos. TMZ claims Season 2 sixth place finisher Carmen Rasmusen is the latest contestant stranded in post-idol limbo.

The folks at TMZ.com accused Rasmusen of being a "crybaby" in response to an article she had written in "The Deseret News." Rasmusen writes a weekly column for the Utah paper offering insight into the "AI" process. In her April 18 article she discussed how some contestants, Clay Aiken in her season, receive special treatment from producers and vocal coaches if it's believed they have a stronger chance of winning.

TMZ featured an unflattering picture of the singer on the Web site and said she "went on the attack."

It just so happens that I am a huge Carmen Rasmusen fan. I watched her on the show and have carefully been following her music career ever since. And while my defense may seem biased, I would argue that it is, on the contrary, more well informed than the claims made by TMZ.

I've seen Rasmusen in interviews, read her columns, and have learned over the years her true feelings for "American Idol." She has continually maintained her thanks and gratitude for being given an opportunity that has helped her break ground in the music industry. She has also made it quite clear she has a strong "brotherly" bond with Clay Aiken in particular, and is nothing short of thrilled for the success he has had.

It's easy for TMZ to target Rasmusen. After all, for a tabloid gossip site masquerading as legitimate entertainment news, this is just the sort of story that a reporter would seize and print without talking to sources for comment or doing background research. It also doesn't help her case that Rasmusen has yet to break into the mainstream. So naturally, as "professional journalists," TMZ assumes she must be harboring jealousy and hatred, as opposed to simply sharing factual information from personal experience.

OK, so maybe I am sensitive to the subject. But it is just frustrating to be aware of all of the steps Rasmusen has taken to reach her professional goals. It's easy to dismiss "American Idol" contestants as lazy, unauthentic artists who want to skip the hard work and make it big in a flash.

But Rasmusen dealt with rejection from music executives for five years before finally being signed to a label. She performed smaller venues, took vocal coaching, and even did a reality star edition of NBC's "Fear Factor" just to keep her name out there. And for the media to make misinformed statements that can tarnish her reputation when she has nothing but the utmost respect for the competition as well as the industry, it borders on career sabotage.

I do realize the nature and structure of the media. They are only presenting the type of "juicy" stories that the market wants to hear. But maybe we, the consumers, should take a minute and ask ourselves if certain stars truly deserve the negative publicity they receive. Furthermore, how credible is the source providing this information?