Show business can be extremely fickle and at times very cut-throat. One minute you are the best thing since sliced bread, the next you are yesterday’s news. It has happened to me in the past, and yesterday Over the Rainbow hopeful Stephanie Davis learnt that cruel lesson as well. The 17 year old from Liverpool found herself in the bottom two along with Steph Fearon, but Andrew Lloyd Webber elected to give Stephanie the chop. But without sounding like just another conspiracy theorist, the circumstances surrounding Stephanie’s departure do raise suspicion.
It has emerged that some people who were attempting to ring in and vote for Stephanie were unable to get through, sparking claims that the result was fixed. But that is not the only thing that is puzzling about this result. Every week Stephanie received rave reviews from the panel and Andrew Lloyd Webber, resulting in her becoming the bookies favorite to win the show. So it seems strange that all of a sudden John Partridge and Sheila Hancock did not think that Stephanie was fit to become Dorothy. The Song that Stephanie was given to perform, Mr.Bojangles, has a reputation for suiting a male vocal and being extremely tough for female singers to get to grips with. That was a sentiment that all of the panel echoed after Stephanie’s performance, so it is baffling as to why she was given that song in the first place.
Every week Andrew Lloyd Webber has to decide which girl to save out of the bottom two, but his reason for saving Steph this week was farcical. The Lord was taking into account the fact that Dorothy is supposed to be an orphan, and because Steph is mixed race, he deemed that she would somehow give the role of an orphan more credibility. This was despite previously airing doubts as to whether Steph had the ability to play Dorothy, and also praising Stephanie for being a complete performer. So his decision did seem rather odd, and basing who to eliminate on the grounds of race sets a very dangerous precedent.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s verdict also raises the question of elitism in show business. Steph Fearon and her family have fairly substantial backgrounds in the world of entertainment, with both of her parents being successful recording artists, and Steph herself starring in “My Parents are Aliens” and “As If”. So some may believe that she was saved purely because of her showbiz connections. But before people begin to say that what I am saying is nonsensical, I know for a fact that it does happen as I have been a victim of it. I myself applied to audition for the role of Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, having gained the backing of my stage school, but was subsequently told by the production company that they were not looking to cast an English actor. Low and behold, Rupert Grint (an English actor) got the part, and his parents are both film producers and extremely well connected in the industry. Read into that what you will.
But in the cold light of day, the result cannot be altered, and unfortunately Stephanie is out of the competition. In my opinion, she was one of the strongest contenders to become Dorothy as she could sing, act and dance, and I had backed her to win. However, you do not always get what you deserve, but the key to achieving success in an industry such as show business is to keep on fighting and never giving up. As long as Stephanie stays focused and determined, I am sure that she can fly higher than the rainbow.
Monday, May 3, 2010
“Magic” Mayweather Has “Sugar” Shane Spellbound
The eyes of the boxing world were on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and to say we got treated to something magic was an understatement. Many pundits and top fighters, including Heavyweight champion David Haye, thought that this would be the night where “Pretty Boy” Floyd’s pristine record would become tarnished. After all, he was fighting Shane Mosley, one of the greatest boxers in modern history and a certain future hall of famer. Yet Mayweather managed to make Mosley look pedestrian.
The 38 year old former welter-weight champion seemed mezmirised by the speed and unerring accuracy of Mayweather’s punches, and there was a constant look of utter dejection on his face whenever he was sat in his corner. Meanwhile, Mayweather was looking so relaxed he must have been wandering what the fuss was all about. Only once did Mosley appear to rock Mayweather, landing two hefty right hooks on the undefeated champion, sending the crowd into raptures. But Mayweather showed the grit that many thought he lacked, and weathered the storm in spectacular style.
The brash boxer used his lightning fast jab and unbelievable movement to negate any threat that Mosley posed, and once again his counter punching was impeccable. Mayweather has been criticized in the past for not showing enough aggression in the ring and being overly cautious. However, such an accusation could not have been leveled against him on Saturday night. He was determined to prove a point to his many fans, and also his critics, and he consequently produced one of the best displays of boxing I have ever seen. If he wasn’t one already, this was the fight that cemented Mayweather as one of the greats of the sport, and it was fitting that Muhammad Ali was at ringside to witness it.
The final round of the fight was one of the most surreal that I have witnessed. Both Mosley and Nazim Richardson (Mosley’s trainer) sat in their corner knowing that this was a bridge to far for “Sugar” Shane. There was nothing left in the tank, while Mayweather looked as though he could go on for another twelve rounds. But both Mosley and most importantly Richardson, who had earlier threatened to pull him out, knew that this would be the former three weight world champion’s last hurrah, and to throw in the towel so late would seem an undignified way for a proud fighter like Mosley to take his final bow. And despite still outclassing his opponent, Mayweather seemed reluctant to go for the knockout. Maybe it was because he had too much respect for Mosley, and saw it fitting that the veteran fighter should at least have his record of not being stopped in tact. But that is something we will never know for sure. But what I do know is that Mayweather, who has now firmly cemented himself as the pound for pound best in the world, will be itching to take on Manny Pacquiao in one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts in boxing history. If Mayweather emerges victorious, it will be hard to argue against him being the greatest boxer of all time.
The 38 year old former welter-weight champion seemed mezmirised by the speed and unerring accuracy of Mayweather’s punches, and there was a constant look of utter dejection on his face whenever he was sat in his corner. Meanwhile, Mayweather was looking so relaxed he must have been wandering what the fuss was all about. Only once did Mosley appear to rock Mayweather, landing two hefty right hooks on the undefeated champion, sending the crowd into raptures. But Mayweather showed the grit that many thought he lacked, and weathered the storm in spectacular style.
The brash boxer used his lightning fast jab and unbelievable movement to negate any threat that Mosley posed, and once again his counter punching was impeccable. Mayweather has been criticized in the past for not showing enough aggression in the ring and being overly cautious. However, such an accusation could not have been leveled against him on Saturday night. He was determined to prove a point to his many fans, and also his critics, and he consequently produced one of the best displays of boxing I have ever seen. If he wasn’t one already, this was the fight that cemented Mayweather as one of the greats of the sport, and it was fitting that Muhammad Ali was at ringside to witness it.
The final round of the fight was one of the most surreal that I have witnessed. Both Mosley and Nazim Richardson (Mosley’s trainer) sat in their corner knowing that this was a bridge to far for “Sugar” Shane. There was nothing left in the tank, while Mayweather looked as though he could go on for another twelve rounds. But both Mosley and most importantly Richardson, who had earlier threatened to pull him out, knew that this would be the former three weight world champion’s last hurrah, and to throw in the towel so late would seem an undignified way for a proud fighter like Mosley to take his final bow. And despite still outclassing his opponent, Mayweather seemed reluctant to go for the knockout. Maybe it was because he had too much respect for Mosley, and saw it fitting that the veteran fighter should at least have his record of not being stopped in tact. But that is something we will never know for sure. But what I do know is that Mayweather, who has now firmly cemented himself as the pound for pound best in the world, will be itching to take on Manny Pacquiao in one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts in boxing history. If Mayweather emerges victorious, it will be hard to argue against him being the greatest boxer of all time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)