American Idol Reject Josiah Leming on Ellen DeGeneres?

February 15th, 2008 · 13 Comments · Tagged as Music Stars · Daytime TV · Fox · Ellen · American Idol

First of all, let me just say that I don’t think Josiah Leming is a reject as stated in my title — just an “American Idol” reject. Will an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres turn more people on to the discarded Idol hopeful?

Since Josiah Leming was not extended a spot in the “American Idol 7″ top 24, I’ve seen a major outpouring of support (and some haters, naturally) on both TV Crunch and numerous blogs and American Idol message boards.

The general consensus is that Josiah Leming was robbed — despite delivering a poor final audition for Hollywood Week, he gave solid performances otherwise (I’m including the video of Josiah Leming playing keyboards and singing Mika’s ‘Grace Kelly’ as proof that he’s got the goods).

Whether Josiah Leming will appear on Ellen DeGeneres has not yet been confirmed, but I’ll be sure to post again with details as they become available. I’m not much of the betting type, but I’d wager that Josiah Leming has a future in the music industry and that the exposure from Idol and Ellen DeGeneres will get the ball rolling.

Time will tell… remember, Jewel became pretty popular once people found out she lived in a van. Maybe it could work for car-livin’ Josiah Leming too?

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That was a kickass article. What do I do now?

13 responses so far ↓

Alexandra Michelle // Feb 15, 2008 at 2:38 pm

Amazing. Simply amazing.
I’ve talked with him a little bit over email, such a nice guy.
He deserved it more than anyone.
A pity he didn’t make it an A.I.
But I know he’ll still make it big.
Claudio // Feb 15, 2008 at 3:47 pm

He’ll make because of his music, not because he lived in a car. Plus he already has a huge following. His myspace within a week and half went from few hundred visitors and less added people to almost 600 000 views to over 12000 people added. He has almost 3000 letters of support from all over the world. This is due somewhat to his exposure and back story on AI but once we heard his original music on his myspace we’ve been hooked and want more. This kid is truly talented. Oh and if he was trying to manipulate the media for sympathy votes he would have mentioned that his mother has been fighting fatal ovarian cancer for a few years now. Furthermore he didn’t run away from home. He left with his parents blessing to hit up bigger metropolis’s in order to get noticed. His parents didn’t know he was living out of his car. They thought he was living with friends.
Josiah will be huge
Jack // Feb 15, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Josiah was probably the one kid who stood out the most during Hollywood week and he certainly had the most potential.

He was certainly robbed, I sincerely hope he gets a record deal. I would buy his album.
Lisa // Feb 16, 2008 at 5:23 am

Somebody please sign this kid so we can hear more!!!!!!!!!!
Tobey // Feb 17, 2008 at 10:24 am

Hey Josiah fans!

I just found that former American Idol Chris Sligh (#10) of Season 6 was a HUGE Josiah Leming fan! On his blog he says:

Josiah Lemming should’ve been in the top 24. He should’ve been in the top 10. He should’ve been in the top 5. The kid is seriously one of the most original contestants ever on Idol and is one of the most original songwriters I have heard in a long freaking time. His stuff is really acoustic and the recordings aren’t great. But when you listen to those freaking songs…holy cow. The dude is good.

Are you convinced now you made a big fu**en mistake American Idol?

Josiah’s #1 Fan,
Tobey
Wendy // Feb 17, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Josiah Leming’s appearance on Ellen DeGeneres has been confirmed — airing Tuesday, February 19: http://tv.popcrunch.com/josiah-leming-confirmed-on-tuesday-february-19-ellen-degeneres/
Check back at TV Crunch for the Ellen video clip later on Tuesday!
Preston // Feb 17, 2008 at 11:23 pm

I liked that clip of Josiah Leming singing in that audition. He could have been in that top 24. I hope that some record labels consider signing him since he’s a songwriter and plays music as well. We need more of that in music today. This will be a better thing than that William Hung, who got over with his bad singing. For once, we will have someone with TALENT that didn’t make the top 24 or top 12 on American Idol.
And I commend Ellen DeGenres and her producers for getting Josiah to perform on her show just after American Idol rejected him. This way, he can sing and perform on his own platform!
Becca // Feb 19, 2008 at 12:24 am

Josiah is amazing! He is original and his heart and soul come out in his music. I’m a 40 year old mother of 4 and I love his music just as much as my teenagers do. His talent is enjoyed by people of all ages. I have no doubt that this young man is in for some major success!! We’ll keep listening Josiah!
Suzie // Feb 19, 2008 at 12:44 am

One thing for sure. He shouldn’t be promoting a video on You Tube that shows him smoking. Not a good message to give out there to young people.
Jesse // Feb 20, 2008 at 5:19 pm

And this would be the reason all music that comes out of american idol is terrible. First off, ET or some show like that showed him sitting “homeless” in his car outside of his parents house. WHAT ? Secondly, a person that has been homeless for a year like he claims, would be able to answer more questions than he can. All he says is, “I go where the road takes me”. No dude, you dont, this kid has no responses to how did you get money to eat ? where did you eat ? how would you wash your clothes ? how did you get the shiny new clothes you are wearing, and gel for your hair ? where do you shower ? where do you work ? do you work ? and so on, and so on. Thirdly, the british accent comes from….. ???? Oh right ! He listens to british music. Thats right too, everytime I eat a taco I speak mexican for a week. Vocal range ? I think the majority of people who want him to “go on to bigger and better things” better stop clenching their ass checks so they can remove their TV speakers from their anus and maybe then you will realize what he sounds like. He is always holding his guitar and strums 3 chords, anyone heard him play this instrument he made a priority to carry around on his “homeless venture” ? Given its not Instrumental Idol but still, it proves to be another notch in his poser belt. If you pluck a hair out of your ass clevege you are sure to make the same sound that sounds like his “singing”. Hey now at least Madonna and Britney have some company, they are no longer the only ones who have become british overnight.

Need I say more ???

- Jesse
josiah leming crying // Feb 21, 2008 at 6:18 am

It is possible that he staged all that to get some popularity. But you can’t say his song don’t have quality. Or his voice, come to think of it.
Alex // Feb 28, 2008 at 3:38 am

Maybe the songs he sing aren’t my style, but I didn’t really think he was awesome. He sounds like many of the high school bands around here. Not to put the kid down, but even if he made it, I don’t think his voice is strong enough to compete against other singers such as David Archuleta.
jviz.blogspot.com/2008/03/josiah-leming.html // Mar 17, 2008 at 11:51 am

Josiah was outstanding on Ellen. He got a standing ovation, and Ellen gave him some free music gear…which is great, but I think Josiah will be a millionaire before too long.