Oakland County ‘American Idol’ contestants star in Ford video
FYI
The eight remaining “American Idol” contestants will perform at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on Fox (Channel 2 in Detroit). At 9 p.m. ET Thursday, viewers’ votes will be tallied and the results revealed. Because celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. already used their only “save” to keep Sam Woolf last week, the group will be down to seven by Thursday night. Visit www.americanidol.com.
Life on the set of “American Idol” is exciting and glamorous for Malaya Watson of Southfield and Jena Irene of Farmington Hills.
Meeting celebrities, performing live before millions, becoming a household name ... and now, branding video shoots for Ford Motor Co.
Sundays used to be a day for the singers to relax, but not any more. Every Sunday the “Idol” contestants will be taping promo spots with a Ford vehicle in a commercial to air during the Thursday night results show.
Ford Motor Co. was an early supporter of “American Idol,” and has featured contestants in commercials for its vehicles throughout the program’s 13 seasons. Last week, the remaining eight singers competing for the title of “American Idol” spent 10 hours at the beach with a shiny red Focus. Beginning at 9 a.m. with hair, makeup and wardrobe teams, the contestants admired the car on camera and everyone, except for Watson, took it for a little drive.
“I’m digging it,” the 16-year-old said. “But I am the only one who can’t drive the car because I only have a driver’s permit and you need a license to drive in the State of California.”
Since the contestants have personal assistants and drivers, they have not been behind the wheel for months.
“It felt good to drive again,” Irene said. “I miss driving. “The funniest thing was when they asked me where I would go in the car if I had a boyfriend. I responded by saying I would drive to the movies and make out in my Ford Focus!”
Ford Experiential Marketing Manager Ginger Kasanic said the auto company is producing weekly videos known as “My Idol Journey.”
“Ford will give the Idols a means of showcasing their individual personalities, allowing the audience a peek into who they really are away from the rigors of the stage and rehearsal,” Kasanic said. “They will have an opportunity to let down their guard and share their personal stories, secret skills, fun facts and what makes them tick.”
In addition, Ford will launch an all-new online promotion, “The Ford American Idol Journey Challenge,” offering fans a chance to win a prize package. The winner will walk the red carpet with four friends to meet the “American Idol” contestants and drive home in a 2014 Fusion.
Both Irene and Watson say they already feel the hectic pace of the show picking up another notch. During an interview earlier this week, Watson was pulled away mid-sentence for a costume check and rehearsal. Nearly two hours later she resurfaced, saying she had a short window before another interview.
Season 13 “Idol” contestants have faced challenges and twists, and will continue to until a new “American Idol” is named in late May. The remaining “Idols” can look forward to one constant, they will be spending their Sunday’s on location and behind the wheel of a Ford.
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