PG.5 The ro•d to Hollywood _SSU student takes on 'American Idol'

By Michelle Olivera repeatedly forgot their lines, Olivera included. A&E Editor "You watch it ["American Idol"] on TV ahd you don't realize how bright those lights really 30.1 million viewers tuned in last week to see are," says Olivera. " It's pretty much a big dark the Hollywood round of 'American Idol.' Half­ shadow behind three faces (Randy, Simon, and way through the show, 99.9% of those probably Paula). So it adds an extra element of fear because thought, ''Rohnert Park? Where's that?" while the you know people are out there, but you can't tell remainder of us beamed with pride when seeing what faces they are making." our own idol, 18 yr-old SSU student, Derrick Oli­ However, his stage-fright and failed memory vera making it so far. didn't keep him from moving on to the next round. Olivera's road to Hollywood began nearly ofhe competition with 87 other contestants. Next, five months ago on September 21, 2003, at Pac was a group audition with two or three other Bell Parle in San Francisco. hopefuls singing a song chosen by the judges, Nearly 8,000 people turned out for the San and another battle of nerves for many of the con­ Francisco audition, one of the last sites on "Amer­ testants. ican Idol's" six-city search for a superstar. This was also extremely hard for Olivera All idol hopefuls wait in line for an audition given his inexperience in singing in front of large with show representatives. Since such a multitude crowds, let alone cameras and potentially millions of people show up for these auditions, booths are of viewers. "I'd never really performed on stage set-up with several judges, and auditioners are before," explained Olivera. "I only have experi­ asked to sing simultaneously for their respec­ ence singing in front of small groups and girls. So tive judge. Only 91 of the 8,000 original aspiring it was like I was thrown into a fire." superstars from San Francisco continued to the. This group audition marked the end for Oli­ next round, which was an audition for the show's vera, who at that point was ready to go home. "It producers. was a really gruesome process. It took a lot out of From here, 30 lucky contestants, including not just me, but all of the contestants, explained Olivera, went on to see judges Simon Cowell, Olivera. " It was just rehearse for two or three Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson who would ulti­ hours, perform, get cut or do it all over again. mately decide their fate. According to Olivera, there were cameras Olivera sang, "I can't help myself (~ugar everywhere he went, capturing every potential pie Honeybunch)" for Simon, Randy and Paula. TV moment. The experience gave him a whole "I was really nervous," explained Olivera, "so I new outlook on reality TV and more specifically, didn't sing the way that I had wanted." The re­ SSU student Derrick Olivera makes it to Hollywood. the show. "You're self conscious all of the time sponse he received, however, was surprising and because you know that you're on national TV and better than he had expected. "liked the sound of his voice" and Olivera went got tough. with just five seconds of footage they can make "Simon said I did good and immediately said on to be the only male out of ten contestants to 'go Contestants were put through a set of obsta­ you look however they want." yes to Hollywood," commented Olivera on the to Hollywood' from San Francisco. cles new to the competition. This year, they were His experience however, didn't disenchant experience, "Paula Abdul, she actually said no." Now the fun really begins! given a list of several possible song titles, includ­ him with the show. In fact, "it's given me some­ In order to get the final bid to Hollywood, two A month after hearing the words ''You're ing Olivera's topic of choice "Midnight Call", thing to look forward to next year," says Olivera. of the three judges must enjoy your performance going to Hollywood," Olivera and · 117 other and asked to create their own lyrics, a verse and a "I'm going to continue working and hopefully and approve your moving on in the competition. contestants were sent on an all expense paid trip chorus, to be performed the next morning. Nerves improve on my weaknesses so that I will be ready Regardless of Paula's doubts, third judge, Jackson to the famous city where the competition really and. lack of sleep took over the contestants who to not only compete, but win."

By Shannon Quihuiz perspective, some of these wom­ Staff Writer en are the so-called, "Plus Size Media critic Jennifer Pozner Models." How much skinnier do brought her multi-media presen­ girls have to get? tation, "Bachelor Babes, Bri­ Pozner points out how de­ dezillas and Husband-Hunting grading these comments and Harems," to SSU on Tuesday, situations are to women, while Feb. 3. shocking the audience by reveal­ With humor and sharp wit, ing how young women all over Pozner deconstructed the hype the world are sending admira­ and frenzy of current dating tions to the show for teaching and mating shows on reality TV. them to become better models. She exposed how mega-merged · Likewise, the show, "Are media companies serve corpo­ . You Hot", takes shallowness to rate agendas, reinforce cultural a new level. In ~C's quest to stereotypes and limit political find "the sexist people in Amer­ debate about women's and hu­ ica," they advertise, "talent and man rights issues. personality ... are not required, Pozner is founder and direc­ just physical beauty and innate tor of Women In Media & News sexiness." ~. a women's media The individual struts their monitoring, training and advo­ PHOTO COURTl;SY OF SONOMA.EDU stuff while the celebrity panel al- cacy organization. Formerly, she Media critic Jennifer Pozner deconstructs tematively oohs and abs as well directed the Women's Desk for Reality TV. as humiliates them. Moreover, the national media watch group the judges take a pointer stick FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In and talk about the goods and bads Reporting). break it down for you on the check one­ of the contestant's body. Her work bas appeared in out­ two mic scale. Pozner proposes, "It is no won­ lets including Ms., Extra!, Newsday, ''The Bachelor" portrays women der why the more television a woman Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, as competitive, emotional and sexual. watches the worse women feel about Arizona Republic, Sojourner, Women's They show the women at their worst. themselves." These kinds of shows Review of Books, Bitch: Feminist Re­ When competition flies, women inter­ teach kids valuable lessons: You do sponse to Pop Culture, Salon.com and, rupt each other for the chance to steal not need brains, but a great bod to get seriously, the list goes on and on. She the Bachelor for a few minutes. through life. has lectured across the country and ap­ The women become attached so In addition, she made bold state­ peared as a commentator on Comedy easily to the man and become emo­ ments about the word "entertainment." Central, Fox News Network, Oxygen, tionally distraught when they are not The w9rd "entertain" is to engage Free Speech TY, Pacifica Radio and chosen. The whole underlining theme a person or audience by 'provid­ numerous documentary projects. is that women will capitalize on their ing amusing or interesting material.' Her entire presentation was in­ sex appeal to get.ahead in the game. Pozner points out however, that, "The tense and concise, and definitely worth She also looked how these same ideas purpose [of television] is not to enter­ seeing. However, the whole thing was were portrayed in "Joe Millionaire", tain, it is to do whatever is possible to ruined by lack ofpreparation. The Coo­ "Average Joe", "The Real World", make a profit." perage had a huge screen available to "Survivor" as well as many more. She also points out that subject present her footage, but it didn't work. She 'emphasizes how these reality matter is crafted to make a profit. She The audience was stuck watching her television shows degrade women. On believes sponsors have more control presentation on a tiny television and "America's Next Top Model", Tyra over a program than the network be­ it was definitely difficult to hear from Banks and a houseful of eager wanna­ cause of advertisement and product the back. be models live together while enduring placement. Other than the technical difficul­ weekly tests, which determine who can However, she does not place all the ties, Pozner's presentation was SU­ cut it on the runway. blame on the big time corporations for PER! She definitely has the critical They judge whether or not each the reality TV frenzy. She points out eye, meaning she is able to pick out tall, skinny gal has what it takes to be that we, in millions, watch the reality points that people don't usually notice. a Top Model. To the audience's point TV programming. We help support the She ripped on the reality television: of view, these women are skinny and myths on men, women and families. shows. For those who missed it, I will beautiful. Nevertheless, to the judge's

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