Advice for Idol's resident rocker Gina Glocksen

by Jon Peter Lewis, posted Mar 21st 2007 2:45PM

Jon Peter LewisGina, this one's for you. You were almost in tears up there and you mentioned how nasty blogs get you down, so I thought I'd throw you a nice one. I want you to stick around for a while.

Don't become a parody of yourself. Inevitably every year as contestants hear more and more about what people like and dislike about them, they try harder and harder to live up to whatever that is. Then, usually it gets to the point where it's blatantly obvious to the audience, and they stop caring about what made you cool in the first place. I think last year's winner and his low record sales are evidence of that.

Don't trip out; you don't have to try too hard to be a rocker. You already have that vibe, so just sing whatever you have to from week to week and it'll come out. That's about as much rock as Idol will let you have anyway.

Now, if you really wanted to be rock and roll, you'd do a line of coke in the dressing room before the show, flip off the camera and grab one of those violins out of the orchestra and smash it to bits during your song. I can't say that'd do much for your Idol career, but I'd forever respect you for the largest cojones ever.

I'm not sure if they'd kick you off or not, but I guarantee you'd be getting calls off the hook either way. Besides, places three through 10 are all just about the same. Same publicity, same money -- and winning is great only if you want a really watered down version of rock anyway.

So, Gina, make a decision: Avril Lavigne or Chicks with Dicks. Either way, choose one, stick to it and relax. The reality is, there's stiff competition and you probably won't come in first. Enjoy what time you've got and start planning on what you'll do after the show. You could have a career off of this if you're smart.

Jon Peter Lewis was a finalist on the third season of "American Idol." His newly released debut album, "Stories From Hollywood," is available everywhere online and can also be downloaded at
americanidol.com. Visit Jon's Web site for more.

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Jean

I agree with getting rid of the tongue piercing- I don't mind them usually, but hers is distracting. I like Gina, but I fear her ego/attitude is starting to turn a bit ugly. Case in point- these last couple weeks, her face darkens, her eyebrows tilt and her nose wrinkles up when it is Simon's turn to respond to her performance and she always gives a retort to what he says. I recall she made some comments early on that 1) this is her second time with AI and she has gotten much further due to her dedication and determination to make it(which is great) and 2) she doesn't care for Simon(perhaps due to his previous critiques and she remembers?). I hope she can keep perspective and not outwardly show her contempt for Simon. AI fans do not like that smug attitude(recall Kimberly Caldwell, Mikaela Gordon, Brenna whoever...) Too many great singers have fallen short because they jump on the "I'm a celeb now, worship me" train......I'd like to see Gina stick around a bit longer. Melinda is wonderful, but sadly, AI is meant to find a younger, hipper, more young-audience-appealing winner.(Think Taylor and his unfortunate standing all these months later. Perhaps his Soul Patrol base has died out?) That is why I think Jordin Sparks will stick around and be crowned the next AI. Melinda 2nd, Blake 3rd.

April 04 2007 at 6:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
misterpine88

wonderful advice for Gina. How anyone could mistake her for a rocker wannabe, i don't know. Her voice was made to rock and I think she definately will. She has my votes, all the way to the end... then I'll have her album.

March 27 2007 at 9:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rocker in disguise

well firstly Gina is a fresh breath to idol....any idol knows that you have to stay true to yourself...people remember those who have a great talent and personality to go with it...people give her a chance im tired of every idol sounding like the rest..

March 26 2007 at 1:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Palm Springs

Hey Jon P...I think it's so great you are telling Gina what to do. Snort coke. Great,just great.Is that what you did ? Really classy.
You had minimal talent and so does Gina. She misses everyother note and shreiks her songs instead of singing them. Unlistenable. She is no Pat Benatar,Joan Jett,Janis Joplin or Melissa Etheridge. It's mind boggling that either of you got this far.You are just shouting the words but have no idea what you are singing about. Paint It Black was a mess. Your tongue-stud makes you sound even worse. We can't understand you. It's not cool. It's stupid. You need to lose it...at least while you perform.You sound like Donald Duck. If you must weqar it to prove what a tough babe you are put it back in after the show.

March 24 2007 at 2:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gloria

Gina, Your doing a good job. I watch you and you remind me of Joan Jet and the black hearts.. keep up the good work.

March 22 2007 at 7:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Samantha

I'm a little confused here could someone help me out? Is Chicks with dicks some weird expression I haven't heard yet or does he mean the Dixie Chicks??

March 22 2007 at 7:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Abby

I love Gina! I don't think she's fake at all, she's an excellent roll model because she stays herself throughout this whole competition. I want her to stay...but I want Sanjaya to leave. =]

March 22 2007 at 5:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Judy

I have been Gina's fan since the beginning of American Idol this year and I have voted for her each week. She is a breath of fresh air! I hope that she remains true to herself and keeps up the good work. It is enjoyable to see someone with such enthusiasm. Best of luck to her and I hope that she has a successful career in the music industry.

March 22 2007 at 4:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kelly

I know Gina and have heard her sing many times at local bars. . . she is a sweet girl with a good voice and is as true to herself as one can be on american idol. good luck to her and i hope a genuine, successful career comes out of this experience!

March 22 2007 at 3:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sam

how i pity those that don't get sarcasm.

and since when did this become a "send messages to Gina" forum?

I think Jon learned from his mistakes. That's what normal people do.

March 22 2007 at 2:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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