She didn't fit the stereotypical narrative but the country loved her and I was one of them! She gave me chills and I was on the floor almost in tears cheering for her during her audition. It wasn't just her vocals that sold me, it was her personality, vibrancy and inner strength that shined through and I definitely believed that had she gone through, she would have won! By the way, love you too Rhona!
I remember Frenchie was one of my favorites on TV watching that season. Then I remember the story about some pictures but didn’t really know any details and she was just suddenly gone from the show. I wondered what happened to her. This whole story it’s just sad and I think they should’ve kept her on the show personally..
Shows like Idol and The Voice are rigged. They know from the onset who they are going to let win(No matter how anyone votes). If you are not what they consider marketable and willing to bend to their will without question they don’t want you and will use whatever drama and dirt they can find to eliminate contestants. I myself auditioned for The Voice almost two years ago and was not chosen because of my age. I’m okay with that. I think that people miss out when they reject talented people because they don’t fit the so-called mold. When I was growing up it was talent first that got you signed to record deals. The cosmetic stuff got handled later(clothes, makeup, hair, and stuff like that). Now it’s looks first and auto-tone is used to fix up voices. Artists like Frenchie Davis does not need electronic help to sing and as far as her appearance she is an attractive woman with curves. I wish Miss Frenchie all the best!
I've been a Frenchie fan since her AI audition. I was like 15 and I feel like no one cared that she had nude photos. I dont _know_ if it was about race or size (Ruben Studard, the winner of the season was on, was an obese black man) but I remember being outraged because she was so good. I think they kicked her off BECAUSE she was so good. The singers that suck get them better ratings.
Thank you Rhona for sharing Frenchie's story! For giving her another voice that will help her to heal... There's always a hard way to go for our talented black performers and it's crucial for them to understand the vile pit that is the entertainment industry before they step in. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT expect fairness, loyalty, honor from those who run that industry! If you can get yours once you understand there's no honor, well more power to you. But many enlightened artists are using social media wisely to promote themselves, thereby completely sidestepping the filthy pit of today's reality entertainment industry.
That doesn’t make any sense. American Idol is a money making machine! They would NEVER get rid of someone that the public liked and could potentially win that would make them LOADS of money. Frenchie was let go because of the simple hypocrisy of both the music industry and the music-consuming public... as well as the broadcasting companies that make their decision based off the GENERAL PUBLIC!
FD got totally disrespected and dogged out, pure and simple. The bizness is and has always been a dirty one to our artists. Sing on Frenchie, you're still a queen.
+skinnedred4life I think that would have only made things worse. It's a hard road. Complaining, backlash, anything at all, only feeds the fire at the time. She's showing incredible strength in forgiving them. We all know reality TV is a game. I'm glad AI brought her to my attention, and I've followed her ever since. I can only name one other AI contestant that keeps my attention - Kelly Clarkston, another woman who refused to fit into the skinny runway model expectations of pop stardom. Go on Frenchie. Keep being you! GREAT video Rhona!
she lost in american idol because simon looked at full figureness and thought that it was not going to seel her records. He thought body image aka skinny girls.
American Idol don't give a damn about color people. So sad . In addition, Corey car got eliminated on the same season as Frenchy because of his fight with his sibling.
American Idol is ALL about making money. They knew Frenchie was/IS the best singer, and she would win. A.I. did not know how to market a BBW. They had to find a way to eliminate her from the show. Example of this is Martha Wash, a BBW. Great singer. But, the studios only used her voice and used another "artist" to lip sync. The group, Black Box.
@TheAlanakane Are you kidding? What BBW pop or even R&B singer are you referring to from American Idol? Even outside of AI it's not the thing to do. When a "Big Girl" does "make it", They go a dramatic weight loss diet or surgery. Example: Jennifer Hudson, Carnie Wilson, and even the great Jennifer Holiday! So, were is the big girl pedestal?
GERALD J Monique, Loni Love, JENNIFER HUDSON (had she been skinny and PRETTY during American Idol she wouldn't have gone as far), Octavia Spencer, Oprah, Queen Latifah, Gabourey Sidibe, then you have you cross dressing Aunt Jemima clowns such as Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence, etc. that perpetuate the Big Black Sassy Mamie type character. Beautiful, fit Black women aren't wanted in Hollywood, they're too much of a threat, on top of them being way more talented acting/singing wise. The last thing Hollywood wants to do is praise a Black woman for her features and make them sex symbols. They'd rather push silicone junkies (as the evidence shows), Kim Kardashian, Coco, and the rest of those bozo PS freaks.
She still hasnt lost any weight??!! She is just as big as she was 11 years ago!! She was on AI Rewind so I dunno why she is all of a sudden trashng the show 11 years later. She is a bitter woman who has a "career" that went nowhere!
You need to really check yourself! That's not bitterness, that is realness. She was asked the question and came with the honest answer. The show has become irrelevant and she can now tell the truth without looking bitter because AI exposed their own hypocrisy. Frenchie IMHO it was size and color, but I personally feel more size than anything. And you are the prime example. Your first words are about her weight. Your idiocy only further proves the validity of her claims.
She didn't fit the stereotypical narrative but the country loved her and I was one of them! She gave me chills and I was on the floor almost in tears cheering for her during her audition. It wasn't just her vocals that sold me, it was her personality, vibrancy and inner strength that shined through and I definitely believed that had she gone through, she would have won! By the way, love you too Rhona!
This story hurt me to my heart. Frenchie fan for life.
I remember Frenchie was one of my favorites on TV watching that season. Then I remember the story about some pictures but didn’t really know any details and she was just suddenly gone from the show. I wondered what happened to her. This whole story it’s just sad and I think they should’ve kept her on the show personally..
Shows like Idol and The Voice are rigged. They know from the onset who they are going to let win(No matter how anyone votes). If you are not what they consider marketable and willing to bend to their will without question they don’t want you and will use whatever drama and dirt they can find to eliminate contestants. I myself auditioned for The Voice almost two years ago and was not chosen because of my age. I’m okay with that. I think that people miss out when they reject talented people because they don’t fit the so-called mold. When I was growing up it was talent first that got you signed to record deals. The cosmetic stuff got handled later(clothes, makeup, hair, and stuff like that). Now it’s looks first and auto-tone is used to fix up voices. Artists like Frenchie Davis does not need electronic help to sing and as far as her appearance she is an attractive woman with curves. I wish Miss Frenchie all the best!
Great interview Rho! And thank you Frenchie for sharing your story!!! Looking forward to part 2!
I've been a Frenchie fan since her AI audition. I was like 15 and I feel like no one cared that she had nude photos. I dont _know_ if it was about race or size (Ruben Studard, the winner of the season was on, was an obese black man) but I remember being outraged because she was so good. I think they kicked her off BECAUSE she was so good. The singers that suck get them better ratings.
Thank you Rhona for sharing Frenchie's story! For giving her another voice that will help her to heal... There's always a hard way to go for our talented black performers and it's crucial for them to understand the vile pit that is the entertainment industry before they step in. Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT expect fairness, loyalty, honor from those who run that industry! If you can get yours once you understand there's no honor, well more power to you. But many enlightened artists are using social media wisely to promote themselves, thereby completely sidestepping the filthy pit of today's reality entertainment industry.
American Idol just didn't like the fact that the viewers loved her so much and felt threatened that she would win the competition.
That doesn’t make any sense. American Idol is a money making machine! They would NEVER get rid of someone that the public liked and could potentially win that would make them LOADS of money. Frenchie was let go because of the simple hypocrisy of both the music industry and the music-consuming public... as well as the broadcasting companies that make their decision based off the GENERAL PUBLIC!
Frenchie deserved and deserves better. I think AI should apologize even if it is years and years later.
FD got totally disrespected and dogged out, pure and simple. The bizness is and has always been a dirty one to our artists. Sing on Frenchie, you're still a queen.
truly one of the most fucked up things thats ever happened in the history of Reality TV. Shame on Idol Producers
Love her! 😍
she should have kept quiet ! them white girls kept quiet ! duhhh
Frenchie should have went off on American idol
+skinnedred4life I think that would have only made things worse. It's a hard road. Complaining, backlash, anything at all, only feeds the fire at the time. She's showing incredible strength in forgiving them. We all know reality TV is a game. I'm glad AI brought her to my attention, and I've followed her ever since.
I can only name one other AI contestant that keeps my attention - Kelly Clarkston, another woman who refused to fit into the skinny runway model expectations of pop stardom.
Go on Frenchie. Keep being you!
GREAT video Rhona!
+Beauregard Hall yea you're probably right lol but I can't see my self forgiving them
I believe her
.my favorite singer
she lost in american idol because simon looked at full figureness and thought that it was not going to seel her records. He thought body image aka skinny girls.
I'd bet they cared about size over race :/ sadly
No it wasn't about the pictures. I knew it back then
Something is missing from thos story... something is not quite right but Frenchie you still have an awesome set of pipes!!
Wym
Wow! I didn’t know Nikki was a former stripper!
Robert you love
😍 you girl
Hmmmm She has a nice voice....thats all Ima say.
Yes dear. It was about race. Everything is about race. Nothing is your fault. Ever.
American Idol don't give a damn about color people. So sad . In addition, Corey car got eliminated on the same season as Frenchy because of his fight with his sibling.
I didn’t know that white girls were allowed to stay. I see American Idol differently now…not in a good way.
American Idol is ALL about making money. They knew Frenchie was/IS the best singer, and she would win. A.I. did not know how to market a BBW. They had to find a way to eliminate her from the show. Example of this is Martha Wash, a BBW. Great singer. But, the studios only used her voice and used another "artist" to lip sync. The group, Black Box.
+GERALD J Big Black women are THE ONLY "types" of black women that are put on a pedestal in the media, so no I have to disagree.
@TheAlanakane Are you kidding? What BBW pop or even R&B singer are you referring to from American Idol? Even outside of AI it's not the thing to do. When a "Big Girl" does "make it", They go a dramatic weight loss diet or surgery. Example: Jennifer Hudson, Carnie Wilson, and even the great Jennifer Holiday! So, were is the big girl pedestal?
GERALD J Monique, Loni Love, JENNIFER HUDSON (had she been skinny and PRETTY during American Idol she wouldn't have gone as far), Octavia Spencer, Oprah, Queen Latifah, Gabourey Sidibe, then you have you cross dressing Aunt Jemima clowns such as Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence, etc. that perpetuate the Big Black Sassy Mamie type character. Beautiful, fit Black women aren't wanted in Hollywood, they're too much of a threat, on top of them being way more talented acting/singing wise. The last thing Hollywood wants to do is praise a Black woman for her features and make them sex symbols. They'd rather push silicone junkies (as the evidence shows), Kim Kardashian, Coco, and the rest of those bozo PS freaks.
+TheAlanakane Hmm. I did realize Mo'nique, Lonnie Love, Gabourey Sidibe, Octavia Spencer, Oprah, and Queen Latifah were on AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!
GERALD J Never said they were.
She still hasnt lost any weight??!! She is just as big as she was 11 years ago!! She was on AI Rewind so I dunno why she is all of a sudden trashng the show 11 years later. She is a bitter woman who has a "career" that went nowhere!
What are you talking about? How is she bitter? She was asked a question and answered. What should have done? Just now answer the question?
You need to really check yourself! That's not bitterness, that is realness. She was asked the question and came with the honest answer. The show has become irrelevant and she can now tell the truth without looking bitter because AI exposed their own hypocrisy. Frenchie IMHO it was size and color, but I personally feel more size than anything. And you are the prime example. Your first words are about her weight. Your idiocy only further proves the validity of her claims.
dee cee you must be the skinny non-singing white girl Frenchie referenced
you are TRASH TRAILER PARK TRASH
I know its 7 years later but youre a disgusting person and I hope youve gotten help