Nick Fradiani: Memoirs of a South African Fan
As a South African my talent show fix is limited to Idols South Africa ( I refuse to credit South Africa’s Got Talent as, in my opinion, it is an absolute disgrace to the ‘Got Talent’ franchise). In recent years our own version of Idols has not fulfilled me to expectation and I started to indulge heavily in American reality television. It was while watching an episode of America’s Got Talent back in 2014 that I first witnessed the enigma that is Nick Fradiani.
Needless to say I thought Beach Avenue were fantastic and should have been declared the winners on the spot. The judges clearly do not share my exquisite taste in music as they did not even proceed to the voting rounds. I was pissed off and heartbroken and frantically started searching for all things Beach Avenue related on the net. I found a solace in the few tracks I managed to download and all was well in the world.
I was as excited as a fat kid at an all you can eat buffet when Season XIV of American Idol was announced. Not one to wait until my favourite programs finally appear on South African television I started downloading the episodes as soon as they were aired in America.
Imagine my elation when the same hunk who gave me palpitations during his brief time on America’s Got Talent appeared on screen to audition for my favourite talent show. I won’t lie, it was a bit of a bummer to see he had a beautiful girl in tow. Luckily the green monster’s head was decapitated within seconds of Nick’s rendition of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes". I decided there and then that come hell or high water, Nick will be crowned as the next American Idol.
For many weeks to come I braved the graveyard shift (roughly 3am South African time)and followed the episodes as they aired in the States through the only means available to me – social media. I had befriended some of Nick’s relatives and other Fradiani fans through Facebook and Twitter and they, together with the various media entities, became my American Idol lifelines. I had to wait several hours before the episodes became available for download and it was in that interim that I relied solely on the feedback of those lucky enough to watch the broadcasts on television.
I can’t remember a single week that I didn’t fear for Nick’s elimination. My faith in him never faltered but it is a known fact that the masses often embrace mediocrity which leads to unworthy winners. I was nervous as hell before every show but as I witnessed Nick’s fan base grow daily it finally dawned on me that this is it, Nick can win it all.
There wasn’t a performance of Nick’s that I didn’t enjoy but if I had to single out a least favourite it would have to be his Top 11 performance of ‘Danger Zone’ purely because I dislike the song. Amongst my favourites of the season were ‘Wake Me Up’ (Top 11), ‘Only the Good Die Young’ (Top 6) and ‘Bright Lights’ (Top 4). I also, blissfully unashamed, suffered multiple eargasms while listening to his cover of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’.
As the weeks flew past and insomnia became my closest ally I became more and more emotionally invested in Nick’s journey. I was warmly embraced by his amazing family (dad Nick Sr, mom Liz, sister Kristen and uncles Peter and Tom) and Team Fradiani cemented itself firmly in my heart. I was enjoying every second of the rollercoaster ride Nick’s journey presented.
Reality finally set in when Jax was eliminated during the Top 2 announcement leaving Nick and Clark competing for the title. I was a nervous wreck! Never before I have encountered emotions to rival what I was experiencing. I questioned my sanity more than once. Surely it wasn’t normal to be so passionate about someone you have only seen on TV?
There were brief moments where I pictured the inevitable – Clark winning. Although immensely talented in his own right I just could not fathom the idea of him being the winner. When Nick walked on stage to perform what would be his winning single ‘Beautiful Life’ all insecurities vanished. I knew that this would be the winner’s single! Inspiration and positivity flooded through me and I counted down the hours till the finale.
The night (early morning for me) Nick was announced as the winner was the first time I was grateful for not having any immediate neighbours. I can only imagine that the screams and shrieks coming from my house were disturbing to say the least. I laughed, I danced, I even yodelled - and then I cried. I cried because I was so extremely proud of Nick. I cried because I was happy beyond words. And I cried because this incredible experience was over.
Now, a year since his first audition aired on television, I am even more of a fan than what I was back when he was crowned the winner. I follow his journey with heartfelt passion and am eagerly awaiting the release of his debut single. I read the feedback from fans attending his shows and it is bittersweet.
As much as I am elated that he has such a great support base I am saddened by the fact that I am unable to be a bigger part of his new journey. More than anything I want to attend one (or all) of his shows. I want to buy his album when it is released and not 5 months later as is the norm in good ol’ South Africa.
I am watching the current, and final, season of American Idol and although I acknowledge and appreciate the immense talent I know in my heart that there will never be another Nick. He was my talent show ‘one and only’ my ‘love can touch us one time and last for a life time’. I can and never will give that much of my being to another talent show contestant.
To Nick:
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your Idols journey. Thank you for inspiring not only me but all your fans to be the best that we can be. Thank you for being the glue keeping Team Fradiani together and for still treating us with the same compassion as when our votes were deciding your fate. I wish you only the best for the future and pray that the road ahead be a glorious one to travel and that you may you live a Beautiful Life!
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