Messageboard

Well (37,547) by Deedre aka MiTodoChop @HBF from Canada I'd rather Mariah get labelled "too nice" than be called a lot of other things that I won't mention. I'd be nervous and fumbling over my words too if I just got told "the powers that be" that basically I wasn't measuring up to expectations. I've appreciated a lot of the feedback Mariah has given especially that she hasn't said stuff like "that was the worst performance ever". Because, truthfully, I don't see any value in that, nor do I see a jumping off point for a contestant to improve upon. I've heard Mariah mention the vocal range of Lazaro, Paul, Janelle, Kree, Burnelle, Angie, Amber and Candice and where she feels their strengths are within that range. I've heard her make specific song choice suggestions based on the talents of certain people, "I'll be there" Angie because of piano. "The closer I get to you", "Oh baby baby". I've heard her make specific suggestions about key change and choosing a half a step higher or lower to improve performance. I've heard her advise the contestants not to allow critics to hold them back from letting their authentic self come through each song as this is what sets each of them apart. I've heard her pick up on when someone is off pitch or off key. I've heard her mention how important it is for them to hear themselves or it can throw off a performance as does forgetting the lyrics ect ect. I could go on. (Friday 12 April 2013; 23:44)

Re: Judging on AI (37,546) by RadChad from United States Ok, so I heard the part about her being accused of being "too nice"(which everyone agreed on), but didn't catch the part about her "not providing enough helpful criticism" (not saying it wasn't said). But, if that was said, then I still disagree. Now, it's all subjective and everyone has a right to their own opinion, and having said that I feel vindicated in mine as well. (Friday 12 April 2013; 18:31)

AI judging / Mariah struggling (37,544) by Chase from USA I still catch a moment of Idol here and there, and wow. It was painful for me to watch Mariah garble her words and struggle through critique after critique this week. I understand "the powers that be", as she appropriately stated, are asking her to up the ante on the criticism. I'm glad she explained that, because it was clear she was nervously trying to work her way through each commentary, struggling to correctly state her opinions and suggestions. The worst part is, I can tell she has something very intelligent to say, drawing from years of experience as a singer and performer. However, it comes out so messy and churned up, that all I feel like we're hearing is "ummmm" and "how can I put this", etc. Frankly, I think there are too many judges for this show, and there's not much time for any of them to provide the kind of thorough critique they expect from Mariah. It was extremely awkward, and I did feel for Mariah. For once, the ever-annoying Nicki Minaj was more straightforward than Mariah. I hope they can iron the kinks out. I'm afraid this season was, overall, poorly planned. I still give props to Mariah for doing Idol, and I think it remains a smart move, if she and "the powers that be" get this judging situation back on track. (Friday 12 April 2013; 15:46)

Judging (37,543) by Lee from UK Having just watched the first of this week's shows, I feel my opinion on Mariah's judging style has been vindicated. She has said herself that she was reprimanded by the powers that be for being "too nice" and not providing enough helpful criticism. Watching her trying to help Lazaro improve his performance was painful but ultimately, what she eventually got around to saying was helpful (finally). What she said to him was literally what I wrote a couple of days ago on this board. It's about helping them to improve for their next performance. Maybe she just needs more practise at it, unfortunately there isn't enough time. (Friday 12 April 2013; 11:46)

Mariah's glitter throw on Idol (37,542) by RibbonB from USA Priceless. LMFAO. I was on the floor in a good way, but still shocked and laughing at the same damn time. (Thursday 11 April 2013; 23:09)

Lee - Acapella links (37,541) by Carol from Spain Lee, if you search on YouTube you'll find them, but I can leave some links I like. Some are not quite acapella, but they're less produced and ok to listen. One Sweet Day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM8i1qVc-fE Vanishing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3p3n7Nao6E Can't Let Go: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCHn452YhuY (Thursday 11 April 2013; 22:28)

Technique critique (37,540) by Che from USA Hey all. In regards to all the talk about Mariah giving technique advice, you have to realize to a large degree vocal technique is subjective. Mariah could easily tell the contestant that vocally the should sing like this or like that ,but honestly, how a person delivers a song has to come from them. If they don't connect with it in the right way or feel it, it won't work no matter who is coaching them. Besides, if she did give that advice and they changed the way they sang the next song and it fell flat, she would be massacred. Vocal technique is something that for most singers develops over time and as they gain comfort and confidence in their instrument, especially in a setting such as AI. Just think of what Mariah herself has expressed in regards to how and what people feel she should sing. (Thursday 11 April 2013; 20:41)

Judging AI (37,539) by Ray from Malaysia You don't have to be mean to be critical. And being critical doesn't require you to look for errors and negativity all the time. If someone is already good, critiques can make them even better. Mariah has the capacity to do so. I personally think some of the contestants are very talented and skillful. If there is no fault to be found in their performances, then maybe Mariah could help them enhance their performances for the following weeks. (Thursday 11 April 2013; 12:57)

Judging (37,538) by Deedre aka MiTodoChop @HBF from Canada I knew going in to this that Mariah's judging style would be viewed as too soft by some. That's cool. I respect the opinion of others. Personally, for me, both Keith and Mariah have had the most constructive things to say, Keith is insightful and very down to earth. Mariah is very sensitive and aware of the position these kids are in. To me she's mentoring. She's the only one on the panel mentioning anything technical about the voice, key change, arrangements, vocals, registers, pronunciation ect ect 98% of the time. Whereas Randy has overused the phrase "pitchy" to the point that it's lost the ability to add value to the critic IMHO. To me Mariah knows the importance of believing in yourself and that's the place she comes from knowing that tons of industry types are going to come in and try to cut these kids down. And because her mom was always that voice of "Never give up, you can do it" she knows how important that is. Again JMO, MC is just being herself with these kids, and to me she has to be true to that. (Thursday 11 April 2013; 8:07)

Carla/ AI (37,537) by RadChad from United States I'll have to give it a listen, Butterfly is my second favorite MC song of all time next to (Love Takes Time). In reference to AI. Mariah has given Lazaro, Paul Jolly, and others very useful advise. She's told Lazaros several times that he sings a half step too low, she told Paul Jolly to put the same amount of passion in his lower register as he does his upper register. They just didn't listen, I don't understand what else people could expect her to do. As far as how much she's getting paid, she doing just as good as anyone else on the show as far as I'm concerned. So well deserved Mariah. For me the real problem of the show is that four judges is just too much. After the third person speaks, it starts seeming like beating a dead horse. I believe the show would've been more enjoyable with just three judges. AI tried to over do it this year and it backfired. (Thursday 11 April 2013; 2:39)

Lee/Nicki is an idiot (37,536) by RibbonB from USA By now all of the final contestants can sing, so it is just a matter of are they singing a song that is the correct vehicle for their strengths or did they pick one that they are not quite ready for or just not quite suited to. There really isn't much to say to them at this point and the judges only trump card is the save, which that idiot Nicki claims she won't use. Now that is the most useless person on the panel. She always was and her little bitch fit, just hightlights that. (Thursday 11 April 2013; 1:48)

Ref AI (37,535) by Jay from USA I don't think anyone is asking Mariah to rip any of the contestants. However, being that she is the only "vocalist" (no offense to Keith fans) on the panel, it's kind of dispointing that she doesn't delve further into that aspect of thier performance. I think right now as it stands, Keith is the only judge that is giving the best critisims and such. Mariah and Randy have their moments. And then there is another person who has no place on the panel, but I'll bite my tounge (lets spread positivity ). On another note, I can't wait to hear what MC is cooking up "pon the studio". (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 23:50)

Carla (37,534) by Lee from UK PS. That version of Butterfly is stunning. Do you have links to any other acapella versions of Mariah's songs? (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 22:33)

Carla (37,533) by Lee from UK Hi Carla. I take your point and respect your opinion. However, I disagree with your point about Mariah saying "Your voice is more for Pop", "you're more country". Rather than this being insightful, as you said, I find it more akin to pointing out the obvious. We don't need to be paying anybody $18 million to sit there and point out the obvious. That's what Nicki and Randy are there for. In my humble opinion, Keith is the most critical and insightful person on the panel and I don't just mean negative criticism, he is constructive and more often than not gives the singers something they can work on, as opposed to simply describing their performance like the other judges do. I mean look at poor Lazaro. Instead of telling him how to get better or how to improve his singing, Mariah talks about how courageous he is coming back on stage week after week. That's not constructive or helpful in anyway. Surely the judges with their wealth of experiences, skills and abilities should be able to give him something to work on. Btw, I want Candice or Amber to win. (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 22:30)

ChadRad (37,532) by Carol from Spain Have you ever heard Butterfly in the studio without the music? Tell that to the haters. soundcloud.com/mariah10carey88/bfly-ac (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 21:16)

Lee (37,531) by Carol from Spain I honestly like the way she speaks. She is cohesive and she points out the strenghts and weaknesses of the voices. She is not a coach, like you said, but most people want her to behave like one. If Mariah says to a contestant "Your voice is more for Pop", "you're more country", I consider that insight and positive criticism. For garbage comments, we got Nicki all over it. If Mariah talked about the wardrobe most of the times and hair, then she would be considered hollow. That's not Mimi at all. She doesn't need to say much to get her point across. (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 21:07)

To Brandon (37,530) by Desiree from USA I get so angry when people mention Whitney Houston for no reason. She's no longer with us, why must we always bring her down? (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 17:09)

Carla (37,529) by RadChad from United States I totally agree with you. I don't know why people expect Mariah to go in and rip the contestants apart on Idol. The thing is, not only is Mariah a very sensitive caring person (that's considerate of other people's feeling), but also she can empathize with having an off performance or two, so she gives constructive critism in the nicest way possible. Big deal. This just proves that whatever she does ppl will have an issue with it. If she went in on the contestants, people would be saying she's a "b!tch" or "she can't sing like she use to herself", when she nice she's too "soft and boring". I'm sure Mariah has had personal constructive conversations with the contestants about their voice off camera because she always say "we've talked about this" when critiquing, so I see it as just there to help and mentor. Besides, you don't need everybody on the panel going in on you, there's enough of that. So I'm all for MC being on team nice. On another note, I also hope she jumps the sinking ship by next season. (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 16:58)

Mariah (37,528) by Anonymous from Mariah Carey is the best singer in the world. I was a fan of Whitney's before I heard of Mariah and when I did it was over. Mariah's music was head and shoulders above Whit's. And the problem she's facing is she has to live up to the hype and deliver material that's on par with her past while still sounding current like she did with The Emancipation Of Mimi. (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 14:43)

Carla (37,527) by Lee from UK It's not that we want Mariah to be mean to the contestants; we just want her to be useful and provide constructive criticism. If I knew Mariah was sitting only a few feet away from me, listening to me sing every week and being paid to judge me, I would want her to say something to me that I could take away and use. Every now and then she will say something generic like "You should use your mid register more", but she has said that to about 4 contestants now and that's as good as it gets. I know Mariah isn't a vocal coach, but she is the voice of a generation and has yet to give anybody any advice on how to get better and progress in the competition. Having "nice shoes" will only get a contestant so far in the music industry. It's their vocal technique that counts and Mariah has that bucket loads. It won't hurt her to share some advice with the contestants besides how to choose the "right song". (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 14:41)

Too nice? (37,526) by Carol from Spain I wonder why people want to see Mariah being bad to the contestants. Maybe it's because the tabloids are eager to find a motive to point a finger at her. Personally, I think Mariah delivers on Idol, she is who she is .And, beyond this she is showing to everyone that she isn't this bad person that most people think. I hope Mariah doesn't return for a second season, one season is enough of this. I hate the fact people don't give her enough credit and always look for a motive to attack her. Iust hate it. (Wednesday 10 April 2013; 1:02)

Re: Stephen (37,525) by Caroline from USA A few lambs that I know, know someone who works for Mariah. And they say that according to that person, she's dressing herself these days. We could just be seeing a revamp of her style according to her. We all change and sometimes that's reflected in clothing or hairstyle changes. Maybe that's what's happening with Mariah. Either way, I hope that she continues on this path because these have been some amazing ensembles we've seeing lately. (Tuesday 9 April 2013; 21:31)

Zachary, enjoy the music (37,524) by Stacey from USA I've been saying that for a long time as well. I'm not worried. Her place in history as a top selling artist is quite secure. (Tuesday 9 April 2013; 20:45)

Just enjoy the music (37,523) by Zachary from Croatia Stacey, what have I been telling all the time? Enjoy the music. That's all. Just enjoy, don't over think. (Tuesday 9 April 2013; 0:35)

Stacey and Deedre (37,522) by Licia from USA Bravo to both posts. I couldn't have said it better myself. (Monday 8 April 2013; 22:21)

MORE MESSAGES