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Vote for the Worst

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VoteForTheWorst.com (VFTW) was a website devoted to voting for the worst, most entertaining, most hated or quirkiest contestants on the Fox Network television series American Idol as well as the NBC Network television series The Voice. Smaller campaigns have also been started on the site for CTV's Canadian Idol, Fox's On the Lot and The Next Great American Band, NBC's America's Got Talent, and ABC's Dancing with the Stars. The website was started in 2004 during the third season of American Idol. Vote for the Worst also had a weekly radio show that has featured guests such as Ayla Brown, Trenyce,[1] Leslie Hunt,[2] Steffi DiDomenicantonio,[3] Alex Wagner-Trugman and Todrick Hall. The site closed down in June 2013.[4]

VoteForTheWorst.com
Type of site
Entertainment website
OwnerVoteForTheWorst.com
Created byDave Della Terza
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
Launched2004
Current statusShut Down June 2013

History

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VFTW started at the Survivor Sucks message board[5] and moved to a GeoCities website during season three of American Idol. The very first VFTW pick during Season 3 was Jennifer Hudson, dubbed "Boomquisha Santiago" or just "Boomie," during the semi-finals, but the site never picked her again as she improved in further weeks.[6] When Hudson sang "Circle of Life" during finals, the camera went to a shot of Hudson's family members, with a cousin who sat with her arms folded while the others cheered. This cousin was dubbed "Whatevia," the namesake of VFTW's annual awards. The site began to upset regular Idol viewers with their support of John Stevens and Jasmine Trias, but it was largely unknown to the general public at this time.

During American Idol's fourth season, the site moved to its own domain name. VFTW gained its first bit of notoriety when Scott Savol outlasted Constantine Maroulis in the top 6 of Idol's fourth season[7] and again appeared in the news when young crooner Kevin Covais made it to the top 11 in season five.[8]

Season six of American Idol became a turning point for the website due to its support of candidates Antonella Barba and Sanjaya Malakar. Vote for the Worst was one of the first websites to break the story about Antonella Barba's racy online pictures.[9] The site then made headlines by proving that the raciest pictures that appeared online (involving a Barba lookalike performing a sexual act) were not of Barba.[10] After Barba and Sundance Head (another VFTW candidate) were voted out of the competition, Vote for the Worst selected Sanjaya Malakar as their pick. Malakar went on to last 6 more weeks in the competition, becoming a cultural phenomenon while gaining momentum along the way with support from celebrities such as Howard Stern.[11] Entertainment Weekly called Malakar "the most popular Vote for the Worst candidate ever" and Malakar helped make Vote for the Worst a household name.[12]

Season seven of American Idol saw the site stir up some major controversies. As the season began, Vote for the Worst posted a blog that season seven was being stacked with contestants with prior music industry experience[13] and the controversy was picked up by news sources, including MTV, who decided to ask American Idol producer Ken Warwick about the issue.[14] The site went a step further to also prove that Randy Jackson, a judge on American Idol, was the vice president of A&R at MCA Records while Carly Smithson, a season 7 contestant, recorded an album there.[15] The second controversy started by the site was exposing contestant David Hernandez as a former gay stripper.[16] Outside all of the controversies, Vote for the Worst supported Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White when more popular Carly Smithson was eliminated.[17]

During season eight of American Idol, Vote for the Worst's longest running contestant was Megan Joy,[18] a quirky singer from Utah who made bird noises.[19] The site also posted pictures of popular contestant Adam Lambert kissing another man,[20] leading the general public to question Adam's sexuality due to the fact that he had not discussed this topic on the show.[21] Bill O'Reilly ran Vote for the Worst's pictures of Adam during a news segment, but the show cropped the pictures to eliminate the actual kiss.[22]

During season nine, Tim Urban broke the record for Vote for the Worst's longest-running American Idol pick ever, as well as tying for longest pick ever with Jaydee Bixby of Canadian Idol Season 3. He remained their pick for nine weeks: from the top 24 to the top seven. He was eliminated in 7th—the same week as Sanjaya Malakar in Season 6. Michael Lynche was originally selected for Top 5 week, but after the performances, the website switched to Casey James, marking the first time the website had changed its mind on which contestant to vote for based on performance alone. VFTW chose Lee DeWyze for the finale, and he won. This supported VFTW's theory that a female will never win the show again. According to bloggers at VFTW, the seasons have resulted in "3, white, male, brunette, soft-rockers" winners in a row.

Vote for the Worst was successful during seasons ten and eleven, supporting the 4th and 5th "white guys with a guitar," Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips, to win the title in five years.

In January 2013, the site's creator, Dave Della Terza, announced that the site would be shutting down, but not before covering one final season of American Idol. The shutdown was planned for June 2013, though it was not specified whether the site would simply be discontinuing all updates and left behind as an archive, or whether it would disappear entirely.[4] As of April 2014, visiting the site results in a page indicating that the domain name has been "parked" with Go Daddy and is available for purchase.

Expansion to other shows

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Because of the success of their American Idol campaign, Vote for the Worst has expanded its site to sometimes include other shows. The site helped support Casey Leblanc's 6 week run during Canadian Idol 3,[23] Jaydee Bixby's unprecedented 9 week "worst" run from the final 10 to the final 2 during Canadian Idol 5,[24] and Bristol Palin on Dancing with the Stars.

Vote for the Worst's mixed bag extends to other shows. The site had some success with a group like Light of Doom during The Next Great American Band,[25] but was unable to help others such as Boy Shakira during America's Got Talent.[26]

Reaction from American Idol

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American Idol producers rarely acknowledge the site, but Nigel Lythgoe, an executive producer, did issue a statement, calling Vote for the Worst "a fly buzzing around a cow" during season six of American Idol to play down any press the site had received about being influential.[27] In later seasons, Lythgoe has had a more playful repartee with the website, sending humorous tweets to the site's Twitter account.[28] Legal action has been threatened against the website from fans of American Idol, but to date neither Fox nor the series have issued statements regarding any lawsuits.[29] Della Terza claims that lawyers involved with the program have contacted him twice about filing a lawsuit, but nothing has yet been filed against the site.[30]

While many American Idol fans claim Vote for the Worst promotes hate speech and bullying on their message boards and online comments, some lesser known contestants from American Idol, have embraced the site. Josiah Leming, a contestant from season 7, is a member of the website and gave an interview to their weekly radio show.[31] Chris Sligh, a season 6 contestant, gave a shoutout to site creator Della Terza during the top 11 performance show by saying "Hi, Dave."[32] Sligh and fellow contestant Phil Stacey have also posted on the site's message board,[33][34] along with many other former contestants such as Brenna Gethers,[35] Chris Labelle,[36] Phuong Pham,[37] and Montana Martin Iles.[38] Season 7 finalist Amanda Overmyer has also been vocal about her support of the website.[39] Even season 9 runner-up Crystal Bowersox has posted on American Idol's Facebook and Twitter that she loves VFTW.[40]

VFTW-supported contestants

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American Idol

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Season 3[41]

Season 4[42]

Season 5[43]

Season 6[44]

Season 7[45]

Season 8[45]

Season 9[45]

  • Haeley Vaughn (Women's Semifinals Weeks 1–2)
  • Paige Miles (Women's Semifinals Week 3)
  • Tim Urban (Men's Semifinals Week 1 – Top 7; tied for longest running VFTW pick with Jaydee Bixby; longest running ever American Idol pick)
  • Siobhan Magnus (Top 6)
  • Casey James (Top 5 – Top 3; Michael Lynche was originally picked, was switched to Casey after the performance night.)
  • Lee DeWyze (Finale): Winner

Season 10[45]

Season 11[45]

Season 12[45]

  • Zoanette Johnson (Women's Semifinals)
  • Charlie Askew (Men's Semifinals)
  • Lazaro Arbos (Top 10 to Top 6)
  • Janelle Arthur (Top 5)
  • Kree Harrison (Top 4 to Finale): Runner-Up

Canadian Idol

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Season 3[46]

Season 4[45]

Season 5[45]

  • Tyler Mullendore
  • Maud Coussa-Jandl
  • Naomi-Joy Blackhall
  • Annika Odegard
  • Jaydee Bixby: Season 5 Runner-Up (tied for longest running pick)[24]

Season 6[45]

  • Mark Day
  • Mitch MacDonald: Season 6 Runner-Up

On the Lot

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Season 1

America's Got Talent

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Season 2

Season 5

  • Airpocalypse (Quarterfinals Week 1)[49]
  • Ronith (Quarterfinals Week 2)[50]
  • Mary Ellen (Quarterfinals Week 4)[51]
  • PUP (Quarterfinals Week 5 "Youtube" Special)
  • Doogie Horner (Quarterfinals Week 6 "Wildcard" Special)
  • Prince Poppycock (Semi-finals Week 1 – Top 4)

Season 6

  • Those Funny Little People (Quarterfinals Week 1)[52]
  • Thomas John (Quarterfinals Week 2)

Season 7

  • Lil' Starr (Quarterfinals Week 1)

The Next Great American Band

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Season 1

Clash of the Choirs

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Season 1

America's Best Dance Crew

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Season 2

Season 3

  • Dynamic Edition

Season 6

Dancing With The Stars

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Season 5

Season 7

Season 11

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

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Season 2

X Factor (UK)

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Series 6

Series 7

Series 8

X Factor (US)

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Season 1

Season 2

The Voice

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Season 1

Season 2

  • RaeLynn (Team Blake)
  • Erin Martin (Team Cee-Lo)
  • Mathai (Team Adam)
  • Tony Lucca (Team Adam)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "VFTW Radio Presents Trenyce (American Idol 2)". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  2. ^ "VFTW Radio Presents Leslie Hunt (American Idol 6)". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  3. ^ "Vote for the Worst Radio Premieres THIS WEDNESDAY with Guest Steffi D!". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Vote for the Worst Will be Shutting Down After American Idol Season 12"
  5. ^ Survivor Sucks Messageboard: "'Vote The Worst' Pledge; Jasmalien!"
  6. ^ American Idol 3 | Vote for the Worst Archived March 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Constantine voted off American Idol 4; is Vote for the Worst campaign to blame?". Realityblurred.com. April 28, 2005. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  8. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (March 21, 2006). "'Idol' mystery: Sky isn't falling on Kevin". USA Today. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  9. ^ "Antonella's topless photos go unmentioned but Simon says Ryan is "trying to date" Alaina". Reality Blurred. February 22, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  10. ^ "February 28, 2007 Update: Antonella Barba Gets to Stay!". Idontlikeyouinthatway.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  11. ^ "Howard Stern Shoutout". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  12. ^ Bruno, Mike (April 10, 2007). "August 29, 2008 American Idol". Ew.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  13. ^ "The Truth About the Contestants of American Idol 7". Vote for the Worst. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  14. ^ "MTV News: 'American Idol' Executive Producer Weighs In On Some Contestants' Professional Backgrounds". Mtv. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  15. ^ "Randy Jackson Using American Idol to Push His Failed Artists?". Radar Online. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  16. ^ "Strip club: 'Idol' once danced here". Cleveland.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  17. ^ "Carly Is Gone Celebration Radio Show!!!". Votefortheworst.com. April 23, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  18. ^ Anthony Castro (March 27, 2009). "Vote for the Worst declares victory as Megan Joy hangs on". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  19. ^ "Utahn exits 'Idol' with a 'Caw Caw!'". Deseretnews.com. April 3, 2009. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  20. ^ "Adam Lambert Has Pictures of Himself Kissing Another Guy". Buddytv.com. March 3, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  21. ^ "Adam Lambert: America's First Gay 'Idol'?". ABC News. April 15, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  22. ^ "Bill O'Reilly Outs Adam Lmabert. Sort Of". Mjsbigblog.com. April 7, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  23. ^ "Canadian Idol 3". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  24. ^ a b "Vote for the Worst: Jaydee Bixby – VFTW's Longest Running Pick Ever". Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  25. ^ a b "Next Great American Band Spoilers for 12/14/07". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  26. ^ "Boy Shakira Eliminated: Shame on You, America". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  27. ^ "The founder of Vote for the Worst talks about Sanjaya and 'American Idol'". Featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com. April 3, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  28. ^ "VFTW is Excited to Have Nigel Lythgoe Back... Nigel is Excited to Have VFTW Back". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  29. ^ Enjoying their worst Archived October 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star (March 26, 2007). "Sour Note: Is a Web Site Altering 'Idol'?". Journalstar.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  31. ^ "Josiah Leming Talk to VFTW Radio". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  32. ^ Vote for the Worst: Top 11: BEST.SHOW.EVER. Sanjaya Rules and Sligh Gives Us a Shoutout Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ Vote for the Worst: Chris Sligh Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ Vote for the Worst: Phil Stacey Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ Vote for the Worst: Brenna on VFTW Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Vote for the Worst: Chris Labelle in the house Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Vote for the Worst: New to VFTW...AI 6 Alumnus... Phuong Pham Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ Vote for the Worst: Montana Martin Iles – The TRUE Winner of CI5 Archived December 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  39. ^ "Chile Wedding Shoutout". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  40. ^ "Pigpen, err, Crystal Bowersox Loves VFTW!". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  41. ^ "VFTW American Idol 3". Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 19, 2007.
  42. ^ "VFTW American Idol 4". Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 19, 2007.
  43. ^ "VFTW American Idol 5". Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 19, 2007.
  44. ^ "VFTW American Idol 6". Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Master List of Past VFTW Picks". Retrieved April 23, 2008.
  46. ^ "VFTW Canadian Idol 3". Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
  47. ^ Lot #2b Circling the Drain.
  48. ^ "You've Won Us Over – Everyone Vote for Boy Shakira on America's Got Talent". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  49. ^ "Vote for Airpocalypse on America's Got Talent – 1-866-602-4803". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  50. ^ "Vote for Ronith on America's Got Talent – 1-866-60-AGT-06". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  51. ^ "Vote for Mary Ellen on America's Got Talent 1-866-602-4808". Votefortheworst.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  52. ^ "Vote for Those Funny Little People on America's Got Talent 1-866-60-AGT-03". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  53. ^ View topic – Clash of the Choirs – LACHEYOWNAGE! VFTW VICTORY! | Vote for the Worst Message Board Archived January 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  54. ^ a b "Vote for Xenia and Raquel Castro on The Voice". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  55. ^ a b "Vote for Devon Barley and Curtis Grimes on The Voice – Our Pick Xenia Makes the Top 8!". Vote for the Worst. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
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