Keywords: American Idol, Scott MacIntyre, blind singer, visually impaired, people with disabilities, blind finalist, disability, blind
Fans and media critics have been wondering whether American Idol's singer and pianist Scott MacIntyre, who is blind, was judged by a different standard than other contestants, reports the New York Daily News. MacIntyre had pitch problems when he performed the Bruce Hornsby song "Mandolin Rain" last week, according to the New York Daily News, yet he was not called on it like other contestants were.
"In a sea of forgettable people, you'll be the only one I remember," said the infamously tough Simon Cowell.
"When will the judges give him some honest feedback for once?" wrote New York Magazine in a blog post about the show. Praising MacIntyre's talent as an award-winning classical pianist and vocal performer who has six albums under his belt, they asked, "So why do the four Idol judges patronize him by withholding all the negative feedback they'd give to any other contestant who wasn't blind?"
"I think Scott definitely was treated differently than the other finalists because he's blind. Not necessarily because they feel bad for him, but because the show wants that storyline in their top [13]," said Dave Della Terza, creator of a web site about "American Idol" called "Vote for the Worst."
But MSNBC.com media critic Courtney Hazlett disputed the idea of an "Idol" conspiracy.
"It's really hard for me to get behind the conspiracy theories, especially when we're talking about a show like 'American Idol' where America is making the decisions," Hazlett told the Daily News.
Click here to read the full story on the New York Daily News.
Click here to read "SNL Encourages Prejudice Against People With Disabilities, Says Gov. Paterson" on DiversityInc.com.
