WorldView Media: American Idol Lip-syncing
The group performances on American Idol are generally mediocre at best. Their mix-and-mash performances feature multiple songs crammed into one and the remaining contestants of the show belting it out in unison…
…but they are lip-syncing.
The suggestion that the contestants on American Idol lip-sync the group performances was brought up in 2009, when an Idol representatives confirmed it.
You can view the New York Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/arts/television/26idol.html
Apparently, the contestants sing over pre-recorded tracks of themselves to allow room for complicated choreography. It also helps to keep the microphones balanced with the screaming fans and loud music.
Isn’t that the situation at every concert? Loud music, screaming fans, choreography…
Lip-syncing successfully on stage in front of millions is a serious challenge the green American Idol contestants haven’t been trained for. Unfortunately, it’s obvious.
Next time you catch a group performance, observe the way every contestant completely covers their mouths with their microphones. They accentuate their movements to seem as if they are coinciding with the vocals, but it only adds a certain comedic effect to the performances.
Keep an eye on their movements relative to their vocals. Certain notes just can’t be held consistently when the body moves certain ways, in sudden ways. The contestants tend to create body movements that prove the vocals are not live.
Even the lackadaisical approach to the group songs by certain contestants, such as Lee Dewyze, implies that lip-synching is still going on. He is the type of artistic, singer-songwriter type who would object to lip-syncing, so I take his almost patronizing “thank you” and arm drop at the end of Tuesday’s performance as more than just his seemingly passive personality shining through.
If these contestants were singing live, it would be an opportunity for them to outshine their opponents and increase their vote count. It would also leave room for a contestant to attempt and vocally dominate the song. It seems like just another way American Idol takes control over the top 12 who go on tour after each season.
Fox would not plan for less than perfection, so lip-syncing is no surprise.
American Idol, however, is a singing competition. Not allowing the contestants to provide live group performances only shows how robotic the show has become.
Luckily, it still produces quality talent and consistent entertainment.
I agree with your thoughts on the group singing….this is an individual competition what is the purpose of the group song. They do not get judged together.
Yes, it’s very surprising that a television show and competition based on singing talent would use recorded audio and make their singers lip-synch.
It did make me consider the fact that, if they were singing during the group performances, one performer might try to ad-lib, change up the song, or attempt and outdo their opponents.
I like the fact that they have one song to perform and be judged upon – I don’t see the need for the group songs in the first place.
I can’t believe they lip synch! I don’t watch the show regularly, but I always assumed everything would be live. As you mentioned these individuals are training to be in the spotlight, on stage…why wouldn’t they be singing live. If America is supposed to be voting for this that they like, they should be seeing the real performance…not the taped one. If this is the case the contestants should pre-record everything. I am sure a lot of people would sound good if they had time to prepare. What a rip-off!