American Idol faced a mountain of criticism last year when they put a number of “ringers” through to Hollywood.  Ringers are singers who have had experience in the music industry and, for one reason or another, never reached a desired level of fame or success.  Carly Smithson, who had a recording contract, was a prime example.  This season, it appears that Idol is going to be a little more transparent about the ringers they bring in.  On Wednesday's American Idol audition episode from Louisville, Kentucky, judge Kara DioGuardi recognized one of the auditioners, a girl named Joanna Pacitti.  Joanna admitted that, yes, she had been working in LA and, at one time, was signed to a record label.  But, that was the extent of what we were told, Joanna sang (well) and was given her golden ticket to Hollywood.  What the audience wasn't told?  That Joanna has actually had some success in the music industry, released an album, charted with a single, and has had a few of her songs featured in various soundtracks. 

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Joanna, 24, released her debut album, This Crazy Life, on Geffen Records in 2006.  But, Joanna was discovered in 2000 at the age of 16, and recorded a number of songs, songs which appeared on various soundtracks, including ones for Legally Blonde, Bratz and First Daughter.  One of her songs, “Out From Under,” was even covered by Britney Spears on her most recent album Circus.

Going back even further, you find that Joanna was in the business since she was a youngster.  In 1995, when Joanna was 11, she was chosen to play the lead in the revival of the musical Annie on Broadway.  However, she came down with Bronchitis a few weeks before the show was to open.  When she returned, the producers had replaced her, a firing which ended up making national news. 

Given all of this history, a history that shows a pretty decent level of success in her career, should Joanna Pacitti have been allowed to audition for American Idol?  That's the big question.  If you believe that Idol is supposed to find the unknown, unearth hidden talent, then the answer is no.  Joanna has had her chances.  However, if you would simply like Idol to find the best non-famous singers, then who cares what they've done in the past?  At the end of the day, the more talent on display simply makes for a more entertaining season.  Even if it is a little bit cheap, don't we all just really want to hear good singers?


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of IESB.com)