Sometimes, the “original” thing,
or show as it were, feels that it has always been the best, and so it is with “American
Idol” which made reality singing competitions the thing. Its 18th
season overall, and third on current home network ABC, premiered this Sunday on
February 16. The usual gang of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Katy Perry, Lionel
Richie and Luke Bryan are back to once again find the best singing talent to
flock to the competition for the audience to ultimately vote into the newest
Idol on the block. If you ask me, my money is on this adorable but talented kid
who gets nervous so easily.
That was no understatement too.
Francisco Martin, an 18-year-old from San Francisco was utterly tongue-tied
during his talking head segment prior to his audition performance on “American
Idol” season 18. They even emphasized it by starting with an outtake with
Martin flubbing his introduction and the cameraman coaching him. Francisco goes
on to reveal his self-confidence issues that put a damper on his conversational
interactions, which must be a problem with his pre-law college course. He does
say that music is his preferred career, but those nerves are just troublesome.
Luke and Lionel quickly cotton on
that Martin was freaked out of his mind the moment he stepped into the audition
room and stood on the “oval of judgment” (Katy’s words). Anyway, the guys
quickly put Francisco in a calming exercise, though Luke has to throw in some
humor by suggesting an EMT stand by just in case, after counting the kid’s
pulse. Understandably his parents Jon and Fatima Martin are picking up on the
nervousness because they feel the same way. Now I know what you all are
thinking: Why would I focus on an “Idol" contestant who could barely form a
complete sentence and is a nervous wreck?
I would say check out that video. Francisco Martin’s preliminary piece for the “American
Idol” judges is Maggie Rogers’ 2016 song “Alaska,” an appropriate folk-pop choice
given he brought a guitar too. But you said he had problems keeping calm in the
spotlight, you insist. I insist back, listen
to the song part. Zero panic, steely nerve, unbelievable voice. Katy Perry gave
a thumbs-up in the first few seconds, and it was all wonderful from there. When
he was done, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie commented that he may have been
playing up the nerves. But that was not all.
When Martin confirms for Katy
that he writes his own material too, the judges encourage him to perform a
snippet. So Francisco sings a song he wrote about an Australian (girl) friend
that recently visited him; and if he was great covering another artist’s song,
then he was godly with his own words and melody. And the nervousness is what
completes his charming package; he embarrassedly stopped singing his composition
when the judges comment that his lyrics make the Aussie friend seem so much more.
What a cute future Idol!
Katy Perry’s post-performance
assessment is that Francisco is a “Top Ten.” I agree though I place this
heartbreaker in the Top Five. And whoops, Luke voiced my opinion afterwards. At
the end of things, this has got to be one of the best contestants they have sent
to Hollywood. Francisco from San Francisco, they nicknamed him. And why not,
with his boyish bashfulness hiding a formidable voice and onstage presence in
one? Here in Morgan Magazine I am
ready and willing to rally support for Francisco Martin; he has got what it
takes to become the 18th American Idol. Here is hoping I get to hear
much more from him.
“American Idol” on its eighteenth
season airs Sundays on ABC.
Image: American Idol YouTube (screenshot)
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