Who is Jory Steinberg, you ask? She's a 25-year-old singer, originally from Canada, who showed up at Idol's New York auditions, and impressed the heck out of the judges with her "professionalism." It's only been a week since the rest of us set eyes on Jory, and yet she's already creating a small buzz on the internet. That's what a little bit of exposure in front of 30 million people will do for a young artist. Jory has some impressive experience, and seems like a shoo-in for this competition.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves or count our Canadian eggs before they're hatched. We haven't even met all the contestants yet, or gone through Hell Week. And we all know things can get pretty unpredictable once the American public becomes involved with the outcome of the competition.
Still, Jory certainly appears to have the "total package." She's young, skinny, and attractive, and sure can belt out a song. She's also well-spoken, polite, and seems like she's a fairly nice person.
She appeared nervous before her audition, but then pulled it off like a pro, because, well, she is a pro. This girl is not a stranger to performing. Once referred to as Canada's "next Alanis", she signed a recording contract with producer David Foster at the age of 15, and recorded a single for the movie soundtrack, "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Unfortunately, Jory's album was never released, and now, she's reportedly hoping to launch a comeback via American Idol.
Despite Jory's extensive professional experience, she is allowed to compete in the Idol competition because she doesn't currently have a recording contract. According to rumors, Jory has already advanced to the Top 24 in Hollywood. Of course, an Idol spokesperson refused to confirm this. And Jory is keeping things quiet, as well.
So is Jory the next American Idol? I know in the past when a contestant comes in too polished, it can turn fans off. I truly think the public likes to choose a nobody, perhaps a little rough around the edges image-wise (think Bucky or Elliot) that they can watch bloom before their very eyes.
The American public also likes an "underdog." And right now, Jory may be coming on too quickly as the "top dog." For this reason, I think a lot of us are going to have high expectations for Jory and we might hold her to higher standards than some of the others (like Jamie Lynn, the Southern girl who lives with grandma and takes care of her paralyzed daddy who shot himself and his wife when he caught her cheatin').
So what do you think? Will Jory's experience and professionalism take her to the top? Or is all of the hype going to burn her when it comes time for the audience to vote?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-01-2007 @ 12:03AM
Ranjit Das said...
If its called American Idol and a Canadian is in it....anything wrong with that?
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2-01-2007 @ 8:56AM
cyndi said...
There is one mistake - You claim she is the "total package" (young, skinny, and attractive, and sure can belt out a song) Yes. She can sing. But ATTRACTIVE??? Come on now. Unless I am looking at the wrong picture, I see a girl with squinty eyes and a big man nose. Attractive? I don't think so.
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2-01-2007 @ 8:58AM
Ann said...
Ranjit - Believe it or not - according to my required American History classes: Canada IS part of the North American continent.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:16AM
Maria said...
Well I cant remember her, the only 3 I remember as my favorites were all from Memphis, the Obama look-a-lika, Sundance and the back up singer.Those are my top 3.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:28AM
John Boy said...
Does anyone remember the cartoon Doug? She looks just like Doug Funny with a wig, and that's hardly attractive.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:38AM
stone said...
I did NOT see any of you trying out and making it, so while you are all putting her down for trying and making it, let's take a look in the mirror, we are not all the best looking people in the world, plus it's about her voice and talents. RIGHT??
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2-01-2007 @ 9:46AM
Donna said...
Doesnt matter that Canada IS part of the North American Continent, technically making her an "American"........ lots of viewers are gonna dislike that and refuse to vote for her. Strike ONE against her. PLUS like the article said, its appeared int he past that America like unpolished gems be polished before their eyes.... Jory is already a professional with a former recording contract under her belt. Strike TWO against her.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:50AM
Dena said...
I'm not putting her down for trying to make it but isn't it a bit unfair that she's going on? Doesn't the rules say that you cannot have a previous recording contract? This contest is supposed to be about making dreams for those who had little to no chance. She had a chance and that's not fair to someone who's like Kelly Clarkson, maybe a waitress somewhere, who never even believed they could get that stage and yet this girl already gained a buzz before she came in? That's really not fair to the rest who are just as good as her maybe even better and have never had a chance to show that before.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:57AM
Maurine said...
If she's Canadian and lives in Canada, why doesn't she try out for Canadian Idol?
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2-01-2007 @ 10:05AM
Noemi said...
Lets just remember that this is American Idol not International Idol.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:22AM
Carl said...
What do you look like, Cyndi? I doubt you're more attractive than her.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:27AM
Helen said...
It says "ORIGINALLY" from Canada.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:27AM
T said...
So she already had a professional contract? I thought they were trying to find someone who was unsigned. I don't think that is fair to the other contestants.
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2-01-2007 @ 11:08AM
SueB said...
Some of you needed to pay more attention in Geography class. It's North AMERICA and South America. All those country's citizens are Americans. We live in the United States of America.
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2-01-2007 @ 11:20AM
Pat said...
The judges were impressed with her professionalism because she is a professional! She has already had a record contract and a hit single. Will Paula be asked to compete next, since she doesn't have a current hit record? It is obvious that Jory is a polished gem, not the novice fans expect in a talent "search" contest. She should be auditioning for record companies to land a "comeback" contract, rather than competing in a contest designed for amateurs. In my opinion, this girl's talent was previously "found" and that should exclude her from the running.
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2-01-2007 @ 11:23AM
Jerry said...
Needs to be removed from the competition...she is not an American and she is too seasoned as is the young man that was a backup singer for Christina Aguilera...boot them both
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2-01-2007 @ 11:25AM
Pat said...
The judges were impressed with her professionalism because she is a
professional! She has already had a record contract and a hit
single. Will Paula be asked to compete next, since she doesn't have
a current hit record? It is obvious that Jory is a polished gem, not
the novice fans expect in a talent "search" contest. She should be
auditioning for record companies to land a "comeback" contract,
rather than competing in a contest designed for amateurs. In my
opinion, this girl's talent was previously "found" and that should
exclude her from the running.
Reply
2-01-2007 @ 11:48AM
Sarah said...
Jory Rocks! I think she can make it to the top! She has the voice, the look, the personality! What's not to like about Jory!? She is amazing!
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2-01-2007 @ 1:00PM
april said...
The girl to watch is Jordin Sparks.
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2-01-2007 @ 1:25PM
denise said...
im also in agreement she has an unfair advantage over contestants who are off the street the whole purpose of idol is to give a chance for an everyday person to have a chance at the big time boot her
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