Lemingheads, Lament: Josiah Is Gone!

Posted Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:42pm PST by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

Well, only hours after I sung the praises of American Idol semi-finalist Josiah Leming and prematurely cleared a space for his voting number on my speed-dial (sorry, Mom, I'll re-program your number later), I've been hit with the shocking news that this favorite contestant of mine did not make it through to the final 24.

I'm about to cry on cue--just like Josiah himself!

Seriously, despite Josiah's barely-standing version of "Stand By Me" last night, I stood by him. I definitely still thought he was worthy of a spot among the the 12 final boys. And my respect for him only grew when I checked out his MySpace page and discovered that his influences included cool, credible Britpop bands like Radiohead, Travis, Blur, Echo & the Bunnymen, Oasis, Supergrass, and Keane (not to mention Mika, the U.K songwriter he covered on last night's show).

I honestly can't believe a Brit like Simon Cowell let a promising young Anglophile like Josiah slip away. Blimey!

Well, until the Idol powers-that-be reinstate the "wild card" policy that once gave ousted Idol semi-finalists like Clay Aiken a second chance, I encourage all my fellow Lemingheads to petition on the message board below, begging Simon, Randy, and Paula to give poor Josiah another shot. Or at least encourage Idol sponsor Ford Motors give the boy a new Focus or something, so he has a nicer, newer car to sleep in.

And since we won't be seeing Josiah on future American Idol episodes, I'll leave you with this amateur video of the boy wonder in all his fake-English-accented glory. He will be missed:

4571 Comments

121. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:15am PST

I am dumbfounded by the some of the people that got through and Josiah didn't. He brings a different, fresh persepctive that is much needed. PLAY THE WILD CARD AND BRING HIM BACK!!!!!!

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122. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:16am PST

My heart sank when they told him he didn't make it. I definitely think Josia deserves a second chance. I believe if they do let him come back they would see a very humble, determined, talented musician. Come on you guys......let him back in!

123. Jenifer - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:16am PST

Stand by Me is one of my favorite songs and there is no getting around it, He butchered it. But, there is also no getting around the fact that he is a very talented kid. I don't understand why they put him through after that performance just to shoot him down in the end. Bring him back!!!

124. YoungTurk - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:16am PST

He was one of my favorets. I hope Idol Show or a talent agent/record company will give a hand. He needs nothing but parents love. I hope he will keep his hopes up and don't do anything to end his life. Most teenagers are very vulnarable can't take rejections that easily. However, the life he has been living should help him to continue to strive to reach at better level of life. I hate to see him not get recognized for his talent.

125. Dana - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:16am PST

I personally loved Josiah and was looking forward to seeing him compete. Let us hope that all the publicity during Hollywood week was enough for someone to take notice and give him a shot! Blessings to you Josiah!

126. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:17am PST

Josiah Leming is indeed young----and with the young there is a certain immaturity that follows. However, that does not and should not cloud the fact that the boy has great talent--not just singing, but also songwriting! Being young in this business is a good thing--time to inhance, mature, perfect your sound---lets just hope somebody in the music business does not let Josaih get away!

127. BRUCE S - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:17am PST

I agree with Steve M. Asking the band to leave was dumb! He couldn't hack it with the band playing so he got rid of them. What would he have done once the real thing started? Tell the band to leave each time?
I liked him at the beginning, like so many but then he turned out to be a guy that couldn't compete like the rest of them.

128. allinyourhead - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:17am PST

WELL FORGET HIM LIKE A HOT POTATO

129. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:17am PST

I agree with heehee -- what a wuss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
good that this no talent crybaby was seen for what he is

130. Bud - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:18am PST

Kyle was robbed as well....Josiah and Kyle were both interesting and talented. There are maybe TWO of the twelve boys that are memorable.

Close your eyes and LISTEN to Kyle by the way...beautiful voice.

131. Desiree - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:18am PST

To his parents - go get that young man and bring him home! I don't know the situation, however, you gave birth to him, he is your child. Give him some support. People need love the most when they deserve it the least!

132. madlilly6 - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:18am PST

It wasn't his time , he let his emotions and imaturity get in the way of his shot on Idol

133. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:18am PST

Hmmm...if Josiah is so "down on his luck", how does he have a MY SPACE page? Must be able to afford a computer. Sounds like the whole "living in his car" thing may have been a hoax to get the sympathy vote. Not a bad plan, but I wasn't buying it. On the other hand, I think he would have done well but not enough to win. He was a little annoying!!

134. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:18am PST

I was definately was hoping we would have made it and was highly dissappointed that he didn't. I think the reason he didn't sing with the band was that he wasn't confident enough to do so after he rehearsed with them. And he thought he had a better shot singing without them, not that he was overly confident to sing without them. There were a few that made it that had to come back the second time and redeem themselves. He made it straight through the first day, that should have said something there. I thought the majority of who they picked deserved it, but I know of at least one that he should have made it over. He was very likable and definately could have made it far if not have won it. I wish they would give him a wild card and put him back in it.

135. cindys - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19am PST

I hated to see Josiah go because I think he has something special. At the same time I agree that he could benefit from developing that talent further. All that emotion he demonstrates isn't necessarity a bad thing...it could be what makes him such a talented and passionate artist. He's young and he's still learning how to creatively channel it into music. Once he can do that, I think he'll be absolutely awesome. I hope Simon keeps this kid on his radar!

136. Sweets*FR* - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19am PST

OK. I understand, his story, full of heartbreak and adversity, has got many cheering for him, but Josiah as The American Idol? Now come on.

137. Adrienne k - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19am PST

He's 18. Of course he has some maturing to do. He does not have a phoney English accent. That's how he sings. He is not egotistical and was not over confident. Quite the reverse for his last song actually. Simon, and I guess Paula and Randy, totally misinterpreted the situation. What Josiah actually requested, was that he sing alone without the band. Simon jumped in, as he is wont to do, and assumed he was asking the band to leave thereby putting a very different stance on the situation. Josiah had also explained earlier, that it was not going well with the band. I assume he thought he had nothing to lose by suggesting he tried it alone. He was not in the least bit over confident. He was worried. All he is guilty of is using the same method of confidence boosting that most of the other contestants do. That is to say he uses positive thought and statements to help him towards his goal. How many times have we heard variations of "I AM the next American Idol", "I know this is MY time", "I have a feeling I will get through and I am going to WIN!"

Josiah - you rock!!!!!!!!

138. Yahoo! Music User - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19am PST

Ameican Idol----Bring back the wild card! We want Josiah back! I sure hope he back with his family. He needs them. Good Luck Josiah!

139. Patty - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19am PST

Bring him back, he's so cute and needs a nice bed to sleep in!

140. Angela - Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:19am PST

This kid Josiah has a raw passion and talent that could take him great distances in the music industry. He may be unpolished but look at some of the other people that have made it in the music industry, for example in the classic rock era we have Janice Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, etc. they were very unpolished. In this era of music there are many unpolished artists as well. Bring him back. With a little discipline and guidance this kid could really go far if he had a mentor. I was disappointed when he got the ax.

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