In order to become a judge on the popular talent show, The Voice, one must possess exceptional singing skills. While the judges on the show are known for their musical expertise and ability to bring out the best in their contestants, they are not expected to make political statements.
However, recently Kelly Clarkson and John Legend found themselves facing criticism for offering their opinions on the patriotic song, “God Bless The USA,” despite no one asking for their input.
It is not uncommon for the coaches on The Voice to share their thoughts and opinions. They play a crucial role in guiding their contestants through difficult moments and pushing them to reach new heights in their careers. They must do so while setting aside their personal feelings and navigating challenging situations.
However, when Clarkson and Legend expressed their views on a specific performance, it became a personal matter for fans. Thousands of people took to Twitter to criticize Clarkson and Legend for their harsh assessment of Gyth Rigdon’s rendition of “God Bless the USA.”
Given the controversial nature of the song choice, with the country being divided on politics and even the National Anthem itself, Gyth’s decision was bound to generate controversy. While Clarkson and Legend offered reasonable criticisms regarding vocal technique and presentation, things became heated when they questioned the song choice itself. However, they also acknowledged Gyth’s bravery in selecting a song that held personal significance for him.
Gyth’s performance featured him singing the patriotic song amidst a backdrop of red, white, and blue scarves. This tactic made it challenging for the judges to offer any criticism, as patriotism was used as a defense. Even Clarkson admitted in an interview with Country Living that it was a clever move on Gyth’s part.
Despite this, Clarkson did not hold back in expressing her critique. She acknowledged Gyth’s vocal talent but mentioned that it was not her favorite performance of his. She explained that the song required a lot of sustained notes and was typically performed by a large crowd, making this interpretation less impactful. However, she appreciated that Gyth chose a song that held personal meaning for him, emphasizing the beauty of its uniqueness on the show.
John Legend chimed in to echo Clarkson’s sentiments, acknowledging that while it wasn’t Gyth’s strongest vocal performance, the energy and emotion were still present.
However, their opinions did not align with the general public’s views, leading to substantial backlash.
What are your thoughts on the judges’ criticism of this performance? Do you think Twitter’s reaction was too harsh?
