The Minors
If you’re watching American Idol this season then you no doubt tuned in for the emotional train wreck event known as “Groups,” when the individual contestants are forced to partner up with the competition and make beautiful, harmonious music together. One of those singing groups,“The Minors,” is a quintet made up of 15- and 16-year-olds whose mothers, as required by law, are on set with them day and night. The group includes: Keonna Evans, 16; Jalen Harris, 15; Sarina-Joi Crowe 15; Felix Ramsey, 15; and Deandre Brackensick, 16. I found it refreshing to watch the moms of the minors work together harmoniously as they “directed” their cooperative and talented children through a Glee-like rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”
The Stage Mamas
However not everyone got the warm fuzzys watching the stage moms in action and jealously reared it’s ugly head amongst some of the “over 18” contestants, most notably a competing group who was set to perform the same Queen song as The Minors. The lead singer of the second group seemed particularly peeved and charged that the stage moms coaching was an unfair advantage. But seriously, although it may have been unfair, the whining over it was much more obnoxious than the offense itself.
The best part of the night was watching the mamas jump up and down enthusiastically as their teen songbirds blew the judges away with a near-perfect performance. Judge Jennifer Lopez even went so far as to say, “They just gave the performance of their life right there!”
How the stage moms relate to each other as the competition gets more fierce may be the true “show” to watch this season.
This is Keonna part of the Minors and our moms were fabulous!!!
I loved them!!! and that’s my sister and niece…. go Team Keonna…
This is Kathi, my son is Felix Ramsey fromt he Minors. We are all still friends and keep in touch every day practically. We are greatful that we were able to meet such wonderful people, and plan to continue our relationships well past idol. We are all very supportive a of ALL of the contestants, not just our children. We were actually mothers to a lot of the other contestants, adult and minors, and gave our support, input and coaching tips to them as well. And for the record, we are “The Minors and the Minor Moms”
Keonna, you and the minors were the best group ever. When you skipped out of the back stage with a great smile, I knew then there was something special about you and you sure proved it. While every member of the minors were truly wonderful and you all deserve to be in the finals, for me your performance was out of this world. I have replayed the Minors performance at least 50 times.
But don’t forget this, the competition is about great singers as all the Minors are. There are going to be some people who might get upset about the attention AI is giving your moms. They must step back. This is the chance of a life time for the minors. Your moms have to understand. They have every right to be as proud as any parent would be.
Two things I left out one was the unfairness of highlighting people because of true tragedies in their families.
The great thing about your moms was that of them were great and they did bring attention to you guys.
Good luck to all.