There are myriad reasons people sign on for reality shows and also plenty of reasons why someone might turn down a major show like American Idol or The Voice. Apparently, one of American Idol’s Top competitors from Season 18 wasn’t sure the competition was for him ahead of joining the show. That competitor would be none other than Jonny West.
CinemaBlend’s own Mick Joest spoke with American Idol’s own Jonny West as Season 18 has landed its final seven contestants. While West had a really lovely run singing a Disney song (of all things) last weekend, he did have reservations initially about doing the TV show. He told CinemaBlend:
When somebody reached out to me to be on the show, I could genuinely take it or leave it I didn't know if it was going to be a good fit for me at the time. And I think I also was a little scared to try it just because you don't have control. When the camera comes up you just hope they do you right and that they capture you authentically and how you really are.
Honestly, I get what he’s saying. There’s always the chance you could be voted off super early in the process of joining a reality show, which can be scary. Then, even if competition shows are a good fit for your talents, it’s also true that reality TV has long had its heroes and villains – there have even been seasons of Survivor named after that trope. However, if there’s ever been a season that’s a bit more devoid of machinations and protracted drama, it would probably be this season of American Idol.
In fact, it’s been a weird second half of the season for American Idol, which had to skip some live studio tapings and have contestants air recordings from houses and apartments during these current stay-at-home times. This has sometimes made for compelling, emotional TV, but I do wonder if more contestants would have been on the fence about American Idol in Season 18 if they knew what challenges they would face during the competition.
Now, there has been some wild stuff worth remarking on, including Katy Perry wearing a Dumbo costume and more, but it’s just different to watch a competition enacted on Zoom instead of filmed on a big stage for a live audience.
This weekend’s final will feature seven contestants battling it out; Jonny West is among them and whether or not he wins, at this point I hope the singer feels the right call was made in regards to joining the show. Meanwhile, he’ll battle it out against Julia Gargano, Arthur Gunn, Dillon James, Louis Knight, Francisco Martin and Just Sam. Of them, five singers will get to perform for real-time votes.
Catch ABC’s American Idol on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and see what else is coming up in the television world with our full summer schedule.
