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Hotlantan
Member
02-24-2005
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 10:31 am
An oracle for 'Idol' Vocal coach Seth Riggs has worked with more than a few American idols. As one of the world's top voice teachers, Riggs has a long resume that includes stints with Faith Hill, Josh Groban, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Lopez, Prince and Barbra Streisand. Once, in the middle of a concert, Stevie Wonder stopped the show to thank, in front of thousands, the vocal trainer who had much to do with the success and longevity of his career. Riggs has a sense of humor about the whole thing. Among his proudest accomplishments, he says, is being booted out of a national singing association and several college music faculties for arguing that pop and musical theater performance should be taught on equal footing with opera. Because of his experience and an acid wit that could give "American Idol's' beastly Brit Simon Cowell a run for his money, we figured Riggs would be the ideal show pro to handicap the remaining nine "Idol' contestants. So we asked him to evaluate the remaining nine, right after Jessica Sierra got the heave-ho last week. "I can't stand to watch it, to tell you the truth — it upsets me too much," Riggs said of Fox-TV's wildly popular amateur singing contest, now in its fourth year. "But I've kept up with it this season. … Overall, I'd say this is one of the better years." In his Los Angeles studio, where his students range in age from 10 to 76, Riggs pulled no punches in his take on the "Idol' warblers. Looks, delivery and the right song, he insists, are as crucial as vocal ability. Also, on-camera hopefuls better keep those waist sizes down. As for the judging, Riggs has a bone to pick with Cowell's signature shtick: "He shouldn't compare one contestant with the other. There needs to be camaraderie in the ranks. These kids shouldn't be pitted against each other." Cowell's response last week when asked about that very thing: "Rubbish!' Here, then, is "Idol' chatter from Riggs on each of the final nine, with a few of Cowell's most memorable rejoinders. The season's two-hour crescendo, incidentally, is May 25. Anthony Fedorov, 19, of Trevose, Pa. No formal training. "He's got a beautiful high voice with a lovely quality to it, and he looks terrific, too. He can sing well. But he'll need more work to be the star that they'll require of him if he wins. These kids need to feel every note. If you simply copy, you're a dead duck." Cowell's verdict: "Absolutely excruciating." Anwar Robinson, 25, of East Orange, N.J. Studied classical technique at college. "I've been at odds with Simon because of his vitriolic treatment of Anwar. I hate to see tears come to the kids' eyes. But Anwar's song last week (R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly') was not strong. He needs a piece that will take him up into his high voice. It can take him too long to get the audience's attention. These kids are doing the best they can with what they're being given." Bo Bice, 29, of Helena, Ala. Trained in high-school choir. "Average. He's got a pretty voice but no emotional connection to the song (the Black Crowes' "Remedy') or audience. When a singer just belts it out or yells, you sense the discomfort. The audience thinks, 'I don't know what he's doing, but !ital!my throat hurts just hearing it." Bo couldn't touch Nadia Turner or Nikko Smith." Carrie Underwood, 21, Checotah, Okla. No formal training. "A wonderful voice for country, but she needs to get on some sort of a diet. I worked with Faith Hill, so I know what a girl needs to do. Carrie's got one of the best voices in the competition. But she's a chub. You not only have to pick the right material, you have to look good from every angle." Constantine Maroulis, 29, of New York. Formal training at Boston Conservatory. "A lovely voice, but a rather flat personality. He's a nice-looking fellow that needs to lose some weight. He doesn't have the look of a star. Some of these things make my blood run cold." Cowell's take: "Like a classic pop star." Nadia Turner, 28, of Miami. Some training in high school. "Fab-u-lous. She may have picked some not-so-great music (Melissa Etheridge's "I'm the Only One'), but she's got it — the look, the feel, the control, the ability to sustain a note like a star should." Cowell: "A thousand percent improvement over the horror we saw last week." Nikko Smith, 22, Town & Country, Mo. No training. "He came from way behind, he was thrown out, but because someone quit, he was brought back and did beautifully. If he took those darn glasses off, he'd do better. He's nice and slim and has a wonderful personality. He did a Tevin Campbell number ("Can We Talk') better than Tevin — and Tevin was my pupil. Nikko's styling up a storm." Scott Savol, 28, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. (He will remain with the contest, despite last week's disclosure of a domestic-violence arrest.) He took choir in high school. "Needs to lose 100 pounds in a week. He's got good style, but his voice sounds like an English ambulance, just like Ruben (Studdard, second-season champ). Look, I'm glad everyone's makin' money, but when they don't sing well and they're big as houses, it just inspires everyone else to do better. If you look like a Greyhound bus, it's not gonna work." Says Cowell: "If I were sitting in the karaoke bar, I'd be switching the microphone off." Vonzell Solomon, 21, of Fort Myers, Fla. Studied classical for four years. "Star potential, but sometimes she overshoots the mark. These girls have to look a certain way. And there's always a tragedy. Not speaking of Vonzell, but no matter how sweet you think that big fat cow is, the audience has to identify with her." In a final volley, Riggs reveals his picks of those with the best chances. In the female derby, it's Nadia and Vonzell. Judges' favorite Nikko stands alone in the male category. http://u.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,216~24307~2797839,00.html Note: this guy isn't exactly "Slim Shady" http://www.vitalrp.com/images/seth.jpg http://www.singyourstyle.com/140sethriggs.jpg http://www.sethriggs.com
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Fiat
Member
10-07-2004
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:10 pm
Ok, my blood is boiling! Carrie is a chub?
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Mizinvanccouver
Member
02-22-2003
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:18 pm
Wow...this guy is sure into how they look. I was more surprised he thought Constantine needs to lose weight! Where? Under his chin?? LOL
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:29 pm
Methinks this guy needs to take a long hard look at himself in the mirror.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:30 pm
That was very .... interesting ....
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:36 pm
I really disagree with him about Constantine needing to lose weight. I think he believes that because he has sort of a double chin, but he's actually quite thin. Constantine probably just needs a chin implant, but then he might come out looking like Kelly Rippa crossed with Carol Burnett. He's spot on about Nikko, though. Nikko is a real talent. And he DOES need to lose the glasses. BTW, look at his roster of talent: Faith Hill, Josh Groban, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Lopez, Prince, Barbra Streisand. It reminds me of that thing they used to do on Sesame Street--"one of these things is not like the other."
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Spygirl
Moderator
04-23-2001
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:45 pm
That guy seems like a real piece of work. His "professional opinions" seem anything BUT professional. It is quite distasteful and lacking couth. Having never heard of him before and seeing this as his expression of opinion, I'd say his credibility is in the trash.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 12:58 pm
I was quite appalled by his 'professional' comments too. Sounds like a Simon wannabee to me.
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 1:13 pm
Wow there are some amazing testimonials about him here and there are tons of people on-line who call themselves "Seth Riggs associates" and people trained in his system, called "Speech Level Singing." He also wrote a book called Singing for the Stars that's been favorably reviewed, at least for advanced singers and those not interested in operatic technique. He certainly has an impressive resume! I'm sure his caty comments are meant for a popular audience, as they are presented here in juxtaposition to Simon's. It seems like he is very respected by those who have studied under him.
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Max
Member
08-12-2000
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 1:23 pm
He has expertise in singing. Comments about voices would be credible to me based on his apparently acknowledged expertise in that area. Unfortunately, most of his comments are on looks and stage presence, not voice ability.
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 3:36 pm
It is crass what this guy said about Carrie, but IMHO he has a wee bit of a point. I had said to my hubby that I think there is some prejudice re her looks, i.e. non-skinny blonde. I wouldn't call her chubby... but for whatever reason, society worships skinny and brunette now. There is a bias against natural looking blondes who are content enough to not starve themselves or make any grand efforts to look chic, and are just naturally pretty and guys like them anyway. If Carrie were thinner, I do think less people might be bugged by her and she might draw more fans. More people would think she has 'IT.' But, she seems to have an enviable following regardless, and some of her core fans are probably endeared to her girl-next-door look. I bet Simon figures that once Carrie is 'out in the world' she will lose some lb's like Kelly.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 3:48 pm
Every week that my son watches he has commented since the first show that she is gaining weight every week. It could be stress that is making her eat
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Lori
Member
04-18-2003
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:10 pm
OMG...don't like those weight comments at all. I will have to take a good look at Carrie tonight...never would I have called her a "chub".
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Rabbit
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:14 pm
I am male. I like how Carrie looks. But .. she doesn't have the "IT" factor for me partly because I don't like most of her song choices. I do like some country music but haven't liked the songs she has chosen. The main thing about Carrie that is un "IT" to me is she has so far come across as somewhat ummm ... I am not sure how to say this ... it is not my intention to be insulting ... but sometimes it is like she doesn't understand things. Like what the lyrics mean, what Ryan is asking, what language the judges are speaking whether it is praise or criticism. To me she is the opposite of Kim Caldwell who though not as good a singer, was bright, quick, articulate, always aware of where the camera was and equally gracious in handling praise or criticism. Now I might have been influenced by that interview they had with her in the prelims where they highlighted or edited in a clueless ness, and subsequently have been misinterpreting her expressions incorrectly as "deer in headlights". I will try to re-examine if my impressions were prejudiced by that early segment. She is one of my draft choices so I do hope she goes far in the competition as I have little hope for two of my other picks.
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Buggles
Member
09-07-2002
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:39 pm
Interesting Rabbit (like the handle btw ) Maris your son is right.... I've noticed that too, come to think of it.
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Fruitbat
Member
08-07-2000
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:51 pm
I do think Carrie is a little chubby. I hear what you are saying, Rabbit, and I have that impression as well. Somewhere I read that the hair stylist was not kind in his words about her as well. Now whether this is true or not is a different story but things like that stick in the mind. I am begining to think none of my picks will be in the finals. Things can change dramatically in that amount of time.
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Azriel
Member
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 6:09 pm
You know even if you KNOW music, it's still all subjective. He favors those whose style of music he likes and that he finds asthetically pleasing and nitpiks people that he doesn't. It's like he had to strain to find something wrong with Carrie. Chubby? Good grief!
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Spygirl
Moderator
04-23-2001
| Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 8:58 pm
I seriously cannot believe anyone would think she is "chubby" or overweight at all! It truly amazes me what kind of perceptions we have as a nation about fitness. Did anyone see her tonight? I'm confused how anyone would think she is chubby.
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Alisons
Member
01-10-2003
| Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 3:33 am
I think in the entertainment business, anything short of emaciated is "chubby", hence all the eating disorders. If Carrie really is as naive and innocent as she is portrayed, I shudder to think of what will happen to her in the Biz.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 4:31 am
I wish I was a chubby as she is.
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Llkoolaid
Member
08-01-2001
| Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 4:42 am
me too Texannie.
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Azriel
Member
08-01-2000
| Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:43 am
When I was watching I was thinking of how small Carrie's waist looked in that dress. Then I see that Mr. Know-it-all I'm an Expert say she looks chubby! LOL!
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 11:01 am
Heck I wish I was a young as she is! J/K..
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Brotherman
Member
08-22-2003
| Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 3:54 pm
Who is this guy? Maybe he's qualified to criticize a person's voice but he should keep his trap shut when it comes to someone's body. A real woman has meat on her bones and it takes a real man to appreciate it. I'd take Carrie plus 20 more pounds in a minute.
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Millymoe
Member
07-28-2004
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 11:26 am
That just kills me! She's not Chubby! She's a healthy beautiful girl! She may not be as stick thin as Nadia, but you have to remember this girl grew up on a farm, she's used to daily hard work, I'd bet she's mostly muscle!
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Sassynegal
Member
01-21-2005
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 11:49 am
IF CARRIE IS FAT THEN 95% of this country is Severly overweight. OMG some people need to get a life - No wonder we have so many teens with eating disorders!!!!!!!!!!!! And who cares about weight - Ruben wasn't a stick and he won - or is it ok for guys to be overweight just not girls
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Sadiesmom
Member
03-13-2002
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 11:57 am
Well, I am glad that a vocal coach is completely concerned about weight and glasses. His comments also seemed a little backwards, so I have to assume he only saw one show. Nadia is a show woman with very limited range and cannot holdnotes. He vocals are her weak point, yet this guy loves them. I amnot impressed.
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 11:57 am
Sassy, perhaps you missed the part of the article where he criticizes Ruben and Scott (oh and Constantine too).
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Jasper
Member
09-14-2000
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 12:05 pm
quote:Not speaking of Vonzell, but no matter how sweet you think that big fat cow is, the audience has to identify with her."
Call me naive, but what exactly does that mean?
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Sassynegal
Member
01-21-2005
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 12:29 pm
I did miss the reference to Ruben sorry - still doesn't make me feel better about his comments regarding Carrie's chubbiness.
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Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 1:31 pm
I can only assume that the Vonzell comment is based on some fairytale I've never heard of. Unless he's confusing Vonzell with someone else. I also wonder if he confused Carrie with Jessica. I don't believe anyone would call Carrie a "chub", but Jessica did have a couple of extra pounds. (Disclaimer here: I think she was perfectly healthy for a young woman, but you know what these people are like.)
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