This is response to all the hoop-la around Chris saying that American Idol is in a state of declinel:

I don't "blog" very much, but I think it is all about throwing your feelings out there for the world to "judge", so here it goes!

I began watching American Idol during Season 2. Up until Season 5, I would describe myself as somebody who liked the show, but if I happened to have missed it, no big deal.

So let me set the stage for you. Early on in Season 5, I am enjoying the Season okay. There are several contestants that I think are good. I remember liking Chris okay. I thought his "story" was sweet, and I may have even gotten teary eyed when he came out of his audition and Deanna was so excited and proud. But a few weeks later, that's when it happened. The epiphany. It's idol night. I am sorta watching, but sorta running from room to room doing what needs to be done to get everybody off to school and work the next day. I am standing in my home office just next to the room where the TV is and all the sudden, just as if the national news had broken into the show to report some event that would forever change life as we knew it, I ran to the TV and stood in front of it going "oh my God, oh my God". This folks was the night Chris sang Hemmorage and was for me the PINNACLE of American Idol. One that I don't think will ever be surpassed. So for me, the show "has" been in decline ever since that moment.

It was Chris, all Chris, that struck that nerve deep inside of me and sent me running to the TV. However, I give American Idol the credit for giving Chris a "ready-made" fan base with which to launch his career. That platform, and all those weeks of learning more about Chris is what really made me and most other fans I know fall in love with him. Chris's voice is amazing, but honestly, there are a lot of amazing voices out there. American Idol made many of us feel as if we have a vested interest in him. We feel like we have been on this incredible journey with him. It made us all feel as if we have a personal relationship with this man most of us have never met. In short, it help develop Chris Daughtry a group of fans that will defend him to the bitter end and the kind that would download to their ipods his version of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" should he so decide to record it.

So I have sat here for nearly an hour this morning, using precious time to write and rewrite this blog to make sure I have said everything just right. Hoping there is nothing in here that would come across as anything negative towards Chris. This whole Friday morning "blog thing" has given me a renewed empathy for what Chris must go through each time he has to choose his words for the media. Hang in there Chris.

I hope you enjoyed my blog.
Gwen Stacy