Will Asperger's or colitis win 'Idol' contestants new fans?

Ever since he showed up at "American Idol's" San Francisco auditions and shared the compelling story of his struggle with both Asperger's syndrome and Tourette's syndrome, contestant James Durbin has enjoyed the support of others whose lives have been touched by Asperger's and Tourette's.

"He is my new hero," wrote eddie82 earlier this month on a discussion board on WrongPlanet.net, which calls itself "the online resource and community for Autism and Asperger's," urging others to "Show your support and go and vote for him on americanidol.com. Aspies rock!"

Responding to eddie82's WrongPlanet.net post, blueroses wrote that she'd voted for Durbin "about 100 times over. That's another thing he has in his favor, other people with Asperger's compulsively voting for him."

Thautcast.com, which calls itself a "blogazine for the Asperger's and autism community," is encouraging its readers to watch and vote for James. And James has been a lively topic of conversation on Facebook pages focused on autism and Asperger's.

What's more, when Durbin advanced to the top 24, the Tourette Syndrome Association featured him on its website, saying it was "excited to spread the word" of his success. "With an average of over 33 million viewers, 'American Idol' has provided unprecedented worldwide awareness of Tourette Syndrome through James’ appearances and openness about his disorder," noted the national nonprofit organization.

But Durbin might not be the only contestant this season with a medical-issue-oriented voting bloc. Now that Casey Abrams has confirmed via Twitter that he suffers from ulcerative colitis (thus his two trips to the hospital this season) –- "Just to let every one know, I have ulcerative colitis. I'm always going to have it, but the symptoms are pretty much under control. :)," he tweeted Wednesday –- he's found a few new fans himself.

"We here wish him the best & hope this brings more awareness to Ulcerative Colitis," wrote Gabriel Hedges on The Digestion Blog.

And after Amber Tresca, who writes about inflammatory bowel disease on About.com, asked her readers whether they'd be more inclined to vote for Casey now that they know he has ulcerative colitis, commenter Sarah Yopp wrote:

I have Crohns Disease so i know how hard it is to live with an IBD. I probably will vote for him more now that i know this but i have been voting for him all along because i think he is one of the best this season. i wish him the best and if u read this Casey, Hang in There!(=

Interesting. What do you think of voting for an "American Idol" contestant based on personal or medical issues/struggles? Fair or unfair?

 

Full Show Tracker coverage of "American Idol"

-- Amy Reiter

Top photo: James Durbin performs on "American Idol" last Wednesday on Fox. Credit: Ray Mickshaw / Fox.

Bottom photo: Casey Abrams performs on "American Idol" last Wednesday on Fox. Credit: Ray Mickshaw / Fox.

Comments

[Shannon, M.Div.]

I'm not ashamed to say that as a diabetic, I supported Bowersox (and still do! Love the CD!). Now, Crystal made it easy to support her by easily blowing her competition out of the water week after week, but it did touch something in me to see someone struggle with *my* struggle. In addition, as I and likely others anticipated, Bowersox has continued to support diabetics in turn; she has spoken to kids in hospitals and generally raised awareness of this wide-reaching illness which will prematurely end the lives of many people who don't even know they have it!

So I don't identify with the current crop of illness-beset contestants, but I quite understand. Anytime you can feel like your difference isn't *that* different, it feels good.

[bev]

It's not their fault they have medical issues and disabilites, it's a part of their lives, just like others. Yes, it's fair !!!!!! I'm voting for James ,because of his voice ! not for his disabilities. What a inspiration to others for James to show them no matter what life throws at you never,never,never, give up. I'M VOTING FOR HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE END AND I HOPE HE WINS THIS DARN THING. I wanted a girl to win , but James Durbin has stolen my heart .

[lah]

Its garbage. The audience should vote the contestant they feel is the best singer/performer and not based on their background, illnesses, or any tragedy in their lives. Maybe, it would even be better if we didn't know what state they came from since the majority of the winners have come from the south or midwest.

People often vote with their emotions instead of really listening to the contestant's performance. Americans are notorious for supporting the underdog. Durbin is the perfect example. If you re-listen to hes performances you'll see that he always has some pitch problems and his high notes are shrill and used to often. This is where I miss Simon Cowell. People may not have liked how he critqued the contestants but, most of the time he was right. The current judges are too nice and aren't helping the contestants to better their performances.

[Sophie]

I never vote for anyone due to their back story or their health issues. I voted for Crystal because she clearly was in a different universe from the other contestants. Plus, I knew that I would follow her career. Wonderful album--and I hope I get to see her in concert one day.

This year I am voting for Casey for the same reason. I think he is the most talented. When I saw him with the bass during Hollywood week--I knew that he was amazing and I would vote for him. It didn't come out until later that he was sick.

[Karen]

oh gimme a break. You should vote for the best singer, neither of which are Casey or James IMO. I hate that Idol uses these backstories. No one should vote based on whatever disorder a contestant has. It diminishes what they've accomplished. Don't you think they want to be on equal playing ground?

[Katy Perry]

This is not a lifetime movie, sweetheart.

[Jo]

Idol voters haven't voted for the best singer in years. They vote for who fits their sensibilities the best and that means the ones who are nice and safe with no questionable stuff in their backgrounds. Same ole same ole. This year it will be Scotty who fits that mold. Idol has been taken over by the backward southern christian old folks who are the only ones still watching the show.

[Celeste]

Oh, God, why can't we just keep rewinding AI 8 and the excitement of hearing Adam Lambert blow us away every week?
Hearing about the contestants' issues is fine for 20 seconds during the auditions, but geez Louise, that seems to be the main focus of the show now. Adam's back story was funny, informative, and related to his struggle AS A SINGER, not information about the pain his red hair and freckles caused him. SING CONTESTANTS !! Let us vote for the best SINGER (even though that didn't happen in AI 8) not
the most fascinating medical condition. When it comes time to make a record, neither the label nor the public is gonna give a flying fig if someone has 2 heads as long as they can sing out of one or both of them!!

[Celeste]

Just one more thought: It's not a place to vote for someone who has stolen your heart, that's E Harmony, it should be the one who has captured your attention with the VOICE.

[Jimmie]

people this may be american idol next kelly clarkson. and i think he could go through this. coming from a person who HAS aspergers i think he could go far and i wish that God will bless his heart if he wins or not

[Veronica]

American Idol has long ago stopped being a singing competetion and become a popularity/underdog competition. That's why I don't watch it anymore. I predict it will not last many more seasons.

[Lynhe Wheeler]

I have always watched A.I. and like Adam L. James blows me away. I downloaded, for the first time, his beatles song "Baby I'm Amazed" and have not stopped playing it....... absolutlely one of the best, whether he wins or not I and many others want to hear him on records!!!!!! Great natural voice.