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Josiah Leming Calls “Idol” “Glorified Karaoke,” Preps Debut Album

5/27/08, 2:49 pm EST

Former American Idol hopeful and newly signed Warner Bros. artist Josiah Leming has lobbed some shots at the show that rejected him but certainly contributed to his record deal. “The fact is, it’s glorified karaoke — they pick people with pretty faces and the pretty voices, and they don’t let them write their own songs,” Leming, who will forever be known by Idol fans as the emo kid who was living in his car, told MTV. “And therefore, it lacks passion, it lacks emotion and it lacks the things that set an artist off from being good to being great. So that’s my feeling on it.” Leming’s own album is written and waiting to be recorded, with producers Nick Launey (who’s worked with Gang of Four and Talking Heads) and David Kosten (the man behind Faultline) taking the reigns.


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Comments

Bob | 5/27/2008, 3:44 pm EST

What sets an artist off from being good to being great is awesome talent. Josiah will more than likely end up being neither good OR great.

Captain Molotov | 5/28/2008, 9:14 am EST

Regardless of how talented he himself is, the kid is dead right. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

stupid Idol cry baby | 5/28/2008, 12:53 pm EST

well said Josiah, but if I remember, you cried like a little girl on that show, and you messed up your own song. Good luck, but remember, it was Idol that gave you your 15 minutes of fame, bask in it, don’t cry about it. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

Give me a break | 5/28/2008, 1:47 pm EST

This kid is just a wannabe emo kid. He sings with a fake British accent. Give me a break. Enjoy your 15 minutes.

yes | 5/28/2008, 5:56 pm EST

Josiah is a talented songwriter and the raw emotion in his voice is cool. Can’t wait to hear more from him.

Lauren | 5/31/2008, 4:08 am EST

i didnt really think that he was that good but i felt soooo bad when they said no.
i was like going to cry.
but i hope he does very good on the album =)

KathrynG | 5/31/2008, 6:02 am EST

Idol is what it is – Josiah could have never been able to mold himself to the parameters of the show. He’s always wanted to play his own music since he was 8 years old and that is what he can now do. He will have creative control and his success will be his own doing – note I said success and not failure. His music speaks to people and although it won’t please everyone, he will have enough of a fan following to have enormous success. With his songwriting ability, artists will be doing cover songs of his music and Josiah will be in the business for the long haul. I wish him great success.

sally | 5/31/2008, 11:45 am EST

I was a fan until I saw how he as nothing like shown on AI. He is rude, arrogant, cocky, a know it all.

Lately he has been screechy and off-key. He substitutes loudness, emotional expressions and actions (pulling his hair/tearful demeanor) and repeating verses in order to simulate passion as people say he is passionate performer. It is transparent.

He has repeatedly shown no gratitude to AI and said they had next to nothing to do with his success on myspace and VFTW. He is a good songwriter but his singing voice leave a lot to be desired and his attitude is horrible. Yes, I agree sour grapes.

Debbie | 10/12/2008, 2:26 pm EST

I decided to Google him after seeing him on American Idol and thinking he was a nice person and talented. We fell in love with him. It was endearing. Then I read his comments and his horrible language and attitude! Sorry (as Simon would say). I won’t tell anyone about how good he is or pass it on. Smoking, swearing, attitude, and not nice after all! I think Josiah was too young, needed to stay in school, get anchored. He seems lost, trying to find himself. I do feel for the pressure of what he is going through with his mom and maybe a lot going on at home with adopted kids with many issues. Maybe got lost in it all.

Kristen | 10/31/2008, 2:06 am EST

He’s really a talented kid. I’ve seen him perform live, and I’ve met him. All of these people below me can say how horrible he is, until you’ve talked to the boy, don’t judge. He’s 19 years old. He shouldn’t smoke or curse? He’s a rock star, most do a lot more than smoking. He was very nice and gracious when I met him. Posed for a picture with me eagerly, no attitude at all.

As for the idol comment, it’s totally true. Real talent doesn’t come from idol. Want to see a really talented musician? Go to bars, check out myspace for local unsigned/indie bands. That bubblegum pop crap you hear on idol is not good. It’s cheesy and soulless.

Dr.B | 10/31/2008, 2:55 pm EST

Listened to the music on Myspace, and was very impressed. I think AI is a little sour that they let a kid with so much talent slip through the cracks. He is only continuing to get publicity from AI; as they are trying to prevent his album from coming out. This kid was the chance of becoming something big; won’t be the first time someone had it big off Myspace.

funfabmegan | 11/23/2008, 10:24 pm EST

Say what you want, but the heart and soul that Josiah conveys through a melody is unuique and most eloquently/passionately spoken. He is a fine composer and has a brilliant and maticulous mind!!
And as much as I love American Idol and X-factor..I accept the fact that there will never really be any true and creative freedom
with these shows!!
When it comes down to it they would rather play up a human interrest story for the sake of ratings.

KATIE | 1/19/2009, 2:54 pm EST

I AM A HUGE FAN OF JOSIAH AND SAY WHAT YOU WANT HES GONNA BE HUGE SOME DAY AND HE DIDNOT MESS UP HIS OWN SONG ON IDOL I KNOW EVERY WORD TO ALMOST EVERY SONG HE HAS WRITTEN I AM A HUGE FAN I ALL THOSEPEOPLE WHO DONT BELIVE HIM ARE GOING TO BE SORRY JUST WATCH (LUV U JOSIAH)I BELIEVE IN YOU

Shelby | 3/4/2009, 12:58 am EST

Everyone who’s dissing Josiah can just shutup. That girl is right; most kids his age do a lot worse than smoke and curse. And he soooo does not have an attitude. What makes you think he has an attitude? Because he’s truthful about AI? He’s totally right; everyone just sings songs someone else has written and the judges say it wasn’t unique enough or the original artist did it better, then “this is a singing competition” and not to do this or that, then DON’T take someone b/c of things that have NOTHING TO DO W/ SINGING! AI sucks. People against Josiah suck. JOSIAH ROCKS!!!

juli | 4/11/2009, 9:38 pm EST

i loved him when i saw him on idol, i downloaded his songs and used to visit his myspace regulary, but i do believe his attitude towards idol was ungreatfull, after all if he felt that way about the show, why did he even bother to try out for it? i think his commentary was as if he was soo over idol, when after all, he would never be where he is without it.
i still love his music, but i do not agree on that one with him, even if idol is everything he said .

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