So LGBTQ experts and culture watchers were…wrong. At the very least, predicting “history” long before its time. After being frustrated that “American Idol” failed to crown an LGBTQ winner, they had high hopes for “The Voice,” a new vehicle for star-making.
In 2011, The Advocate wrote, “There’s no need to wait for NBC’s new vocal competition ‘The Voice.’ The show boasts four gay contestants, two men and two women, competing in the battle rounds, where Blake Shelton, “They’ll be coached by Cee-Lo, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and others, and some of them may be eliminated in the coming weeks (there will be eight-person teams in the Battle Round).” Teammates competing in a singing contest will be narrowed down to four, but it’s likely that a lesbian or gay singer will compete for the first “voice” spot. ”
good. It’s not that strong. All LGBTQ candidates lost. Like other shows over the years, it also included a young trans man singing with his father as one of the show’s few duet contestants. ‘American Idol’ crowns LGBTQ winner in 18th editionth season.
That was then…and this is now. After 25 seasons, “The Voice” has a winner in Asher Habon. No wonder. The tone of Asher’s voice is hypnotic and rich, penetrating the auditory senses. Listening to certain notes in his vocals may bring you to emotional tears. At least it was for me.
It was the same for coach Reba McEntire.
The significance of Asher Havon’s victory goes beyond just queer identity. It is decorated with deep expressiveness and visibility. When Usher took the stage, he brought culture, diversity, history, and identity.
Like many great vocalists, he comes from a church foundation. Reba McEntire was a wise coaching choice that reflected a wide range of American sensibilities. She is one of those rare entertainers who is loved by fans across a wide range of political stances. She is traditional, but ally.
Somewhat ironically, his LGBTQ status remains in the closet in some parts of his hometown. selma times journal They brag about his “historic win,” but when they write about it, they refer to the fact that he is Alabama’s first-ever winner. They don’t mention his LGBTQ identity at all.
I don’t see how they could miss it. Usher appeared in full-beat makeup with gorgeous nails and diva-quality eye makeup and lashes. His costumes were never that great. His song selections put him in the ranks of LGBTQ-worshipped goddesses, including Adele, Beyoncé, Whinney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Tina Turner, and Donna Summer. Not only did he have the courage to take on their innovative hits, but he also had the talent to impress with his own versions of them.
When Usher takes the stage, he also represents a proud black man living in the spirit of America’s civil rights movement. He truly represents Selma, Alabama, and the fight for what equality means is part of his DNA and history. When President Barack Obama visited the city in 2015, Usher sang for him in front of 200,000 people at the famous Selma Bridge crossing.
Usher has not forgotten the significance of the event, but he will “never forget” it, telling the Montgomery Advertiser that “The Voice” is “different because it’s the Usher Havon that most people never got to see. I’m free. I’m sharing my gifts and being who I am. It means more to me than anything I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
Usher carried his heritage, the history he represents, and his authenticity into every performance he gave over the course of the show, but it was his sheer talent that brought him to the top. It was so impressive that it even defeated the show’s premise of four celebrity coaches vying for victory. In that name, each coach begs America to vote for their protégé.
Usher, most of them begged for him instead. He first received three rounds of “musical chairs,” with Chance the Rapper, Dan and Shay, and Reba campaigning to have him chosen as their celebrity. John Legend held out. Always a diva lover, Usher has already chosen Reba in his heart and will choose her no matter what others say.
Later in the season, Legend received a call from his father who revealed that not only was he rooting for Usher, but that Usher was declared to be “The” voice of the season. Both Legend and Chance declared multiple times in their feedback statements that Usher was “the best vocalist on the show.”
Usher’s win and credibility should bring joy to LGBTQ fans, but it’s also a huge boost for his coach and main champion, Reba McIntyre. Although the show went full throttle and showered Reba with praise as the “Queen of Country,” she had some difficulty recruiting many auditioning singers onto her team. Not only does it mean an important win for Usher, but he’s also the coach of No. 1 Josh Saunders when he starts next season against Gwen Stefani, Michael Bubbles and Snoop Dogg. The latter two are newcomers, with Stephanie only winning once a few years ago, but losing in her last match against McIntyre.
Reba has some important beliefs for future voice contestants.
Usher has arrived in the hearts of the rest of us, the LGBTQ community, dance clubs, and those in need of a new diva to love.
Related:
Asher Havon and Coach Reba perform Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald’s “On My Own” on “The Voice” finale.
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Rob Watson is the host of the popular Hollywood-based radio/podcast show RATED LGBT RADIO..
He is a prominent LGBTQ columnist and blogger, writing for many top online publications including the Los Angeles Blade, Washington Blade, Parents Magazine, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Gay Star News, New Civil Rights Movement, and more.
He is the editor-in-chief of The Good Man Project, has appeared on MSNBC, and has been quoted in Business Week and Forbes Magazine.
he is the CEO of Watson Writes, marketing communications agencycan be accessed. [email protected]
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
