While listening to S Club 7's "Never Had a Dream Come True" recently, I was reminded of Danielle White's performance of the song eight years ago on "American Juniors," the "American Idol" pre-teen spin-off. Revisiting "American Juniors" made me wonder what happened to the young starlets I had grown to know and love.
"American Juniors" took place during the summer of 2003, conceived as an American version of the popular British show "S Club Search." These shows followed the basic "American Idol" format, except five winners were chosen instead of one. The goal was to form a band of talented young performers instead of promoting just one "idol."
I liked the premise of the show because it gave me the opportunity to see kids my own age showcase their talents. I also liked that viewers voted one contestant into a slot in the American Juniors group every week, which seemed much kinder than voting singers off the show until just one remained.
However, my favorite aspect of "American Juniors" was definitely watching the (often insane) stage mothers react whether it was positively or negatively as the children performed. The show had the feel of an elaborate child beauty pageant, entertaining viewers with comedic dance moves, occasionally dreadful song choices and hilarious hairstyles that I am sure the parents had something to do with.
Today I feel as if I wasted my time calling in five times for each contestant I liked and becoming invested in the stories of band members. The American Juniors did not end up anywhere as a musical group. After disbanding officially in 2005, the members went on with their own lives, some attending performing arts schools and others trying to establish professional careers.
The first member of the group, Lucy Hale, recently hit it big as an actress, starring in the ABC Family show "Pretty Little Liars." But the group's last member, Danielle White (who happened to be my favorite American Junior), has resorted to making YouTube videos since the show's demise.
This pattern applies to the much more popular and still running "American Idol" as well. Every season, I take the time to get to know various contestants on the show, only to watch them disappear when producers move on to next season's set of ephemeral stars. Where, I ask you, is Ruben Studdard? How did someone like Taylor Hicks beat out so many for the idol crown but fail to gain the popularity enjoyed by Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson? Why do non-winners like Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert enjoy greater success than the winners of their respective seasons?
Questions like this made me not want to watch this season of "American Idol," let alone pick up the phone to vote for another contestant. The reason why the show exists to give people with unbelievable talent a chance to become a star has gotten somewhat lost over the past decade.
I will admit that the show is a good vehicle for potential pop and country singers, as evidenced by the success of Underwood and Clarkson. However, like "American Juniors" before it, I can't help but think that the "Idol" flame will soon fizzle out due to the fleeting nature of the stardom it provides. Plus, who is going to watch the show now that Simon is gone?
