Rejecting False Idols

I am not really a fan of American Idol, but thought I would tune in last night to see Ellen DeGeneres’ premier as a judge. One of the final auditions was from a tall, lean boy with glasses and floppy hair named Andrew Fenlon (Aside: Oddly similar to the actor who plays Draco Malfoy – Thomas Andrew Felton if you attempt a Google search). My non-medical, non-expert, but pretty strong feeling is that Andrew has autism. A brief synopsis of the audition goes something like this:

Simon asks (paraphrasing) “Why are you here?” Andrew replies, “I’m auditioning for American Idol.” His overly literal interpretation of the question is a common trait of people with autism. Unfortunately, the judges interpret his response as flippant, or arrogant. Sensing this, Andrew apologizes and basically just wants to get the singing part. Simon asks, “What will you be singing?” And Andrew says, “The House of the Rising Sun. Do you know it?” This angers the judges, which confuses Andrew. He sings the song from start to finish and it was good! He’s got talent. Afterward he is asked if he is angry. From what I see, he doesn’t have a clue why they think that and offers the explanation that maybe he’s tired from all the waiting. This sets off the girl judge who barks “I don’t know why but you’re getting under my skin. I don't like you - AT ALL.” (In my, again, non-expert opinion I think when one has this strong a reaction to someone it's because they see in that person things they don't like about themselves). It seemed like an overreaction that turns just embarrassing for her when she says, repeatedly, that she wants to give him a spanking. (I kid you not).

Long story short, they said no to Andrew and I think they were all making assumptions and missing a compassionate eye – likely because it was just not as obvious to them as it was to me. My heart goes out to him and all people struggling to get by in this confusing world.

Oh, and Ellen wasn’t even on the dang show!