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Well, because it's a reality TV show and because there's the lingering stench from flops by lesser-known (and less beloved) contestants: Tamyra Gray, RJ Helton, and Josh Gracin all stalled, and none produced a Top 40 pop single. Says Billboard charts director Geoff Mayfield, ''Idol is hugely successful at getting people to watch it on TV, but the artists have to make music that consumers connect with or they may not automatically buy their albums.''
That's the conundrum facing Fantasia and her runner-up, Diana DeGarmo, who may be hurt most by the glut because there's so much talent on the market right now. Kevin Milligan, VP of product for Virgin Entertainment Group, warns that ''they might find it more difficult to find their footing and get radio support because of their Idol competitors.'' And, indeed, neither of their debut singles (released in June) made a dent on Top 40 radio, though they were strong at retail. What a marked contrast to Clarkson, Aiken, and Studdard, whose singles all reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. ''The show can hold us back. It can disappoint fans if they are expecting to hear what we sang on the show,'' says Fantasia. ''But it's time for us to show our styles...to show what's behind the American Idol.''
Clive Davis says amen to that. ''It's understandable that there is a skeptical aura around any artist who comes out of a television show. But it smacks of guilt by association. You've got to forget what gave genesis to these artists. I don't even think about where they came from anymore.'' Easy for him to say.
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