When Chris Medina took his place at center stage to audition for "American Idol" judges on Jan. 26, 2011, he did so with a heavy, but hopeful, heart. His stirring rendition of "Break Even" became almost an afterthought when his story was revealed. Medina's fiancé, Juliana, was seriously injured in a car accident just two months before their wedding date, suffering brain damage in the process. When she joined Medina in the audition hall to hear that he was going to Hollywood, I was reminded of these other reality show contestants who faced great adversity.
Danny Gokey - "American Idol"
Gokey's story is the most obvious parallel to Medina's, particularly since Medina auditioned in Danny's hometown of Milwaukee, WI. When Gokey came onto the "American Idol" scene in early 2009, we quickly learned that his wife had died just a few weeks prior to his audition from a congenital heart condition at the young age of 27.Gokey's widower status probably didn't ensure that he would make it to and past the Hollywood round, but it surely cast extra attention his way as the voting public got involved. The similarities to Medina are fairly striking, but Medina may garner even more attention, as he remains engaged to Juliana, and fans will likely get to see more of her as the season progresses.
Heather Mills - "Dancing With The Stars"
Model and animal rights activist Mills was obviously at a disadvantage right from the start of the the spring 2007 season of "Dancing With The Stars." After all, Paul McCartney's ex-wife goes through life with a prosthetic leg, and this is, well, a dancing show! Mills acquitted herself well, lasting several weeks before being voted off, but she never really seemed to get a big sympathy boost.
Many fans were averse to her in general because of their loyalties to Paul, and many others watched her in the hopes that the unthinkable would happen while she was on the dance floor. The hunch here is that Medina fares much better with fans this spring.
Emily Maynard - "The Bachelor" (Brad Womack's second season)
When Emily revealed to the other women in the house that the love of her life, her husband and the father of her child, had been killed in a plane crash, there wasn't a dry eye, either in the house or among the viewing audience. Brad appears to be smitten with her anyway, so her back story probably isn't what's keeping her around, but it may make it easier for her to get along with her roommates than would otherwise be the case.
Maybe Medina and his girl will find the same type of sympathy among "American Idol" contestants and be able to avoid some of the back-biting that typically accompanies the Hollywood experience.
Chris Medina's journey will be one of the most compelling aspects of Season 11 of "American Idol," and it will be interesting to see if his moving love story can help him overcome any sub-par performances that he might proffer. Chances are that he'll have to get through Hollywood solely on the merits of his talent, but he might get some emotional boost from voters once the live action starts. In the end, though, he'll probably go only as far as his voice will carry him.
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