People who enter these things come across as being not very interested in music, and being far too interested in fame.
In most cases they're young and full of enthusiasm and who can blame them for wanting to be like their idols?
But then some of them are just trying to make a career out of something that they love doing and I've been surprised by how much some of them are into the music.
I've also got some respect for Kym Marsh - she used pop idol to get into a hyped band, made her million and then left - ok, she was used as a Pete Waterman pay cheque for a while, but she's come out of it ok.
The funniest ones are the ones who are just delusional - it's like they've never recorded their own voice or asked their mates whether they can *really* sing. Anyone see that ugly skinny guy from Sheffield who reckoned he was the new Eminem? Fuck me, that was funny!
Yes but their idols are 'pop idols' (who aim to sell records- are after fame no matter what the cost) rather than 'musicians' (who aim to make/play good music- even if its at the expense of fame) that's one of the main issues for me.
hmm, from a business point of view I respect that, but as a music fan I think that pretty terrible.
I'm sure lots of them want to be just like Britney, but didn't Cassy cite her idols as Katie Melua, Joss Stone and Jamie Callum? Ok, they're in vogue at the moment but they're certainly not Britney types.
but then anyone who's really into music soon sees beyond that and looks elsewhere.
Somebody (can't remember who it was) recently hit the nail on the head by stating that the top 40 generally reflects the musical tastes of the nation's 14 year olds.