On November 17th 2011 the musical competition television show X Factor did its best to take over entertainment news headlines with drama. The reopening of the Natalie Wood murder case might have dampened some of the controversy’s popularity, but then again more people probably know who the little rapper boy Astro is than they do Natalie Wood. During the X Factor elimination show the contestant Astro caused a ruckus by seemingly refusing to perform and copping some serious bratty attitude. However, was it real?
When viewers first met Astro he came right out with his swagger and started accusing Simon Cowell of checking out his mother. It was a scripted bit that he used as a segue into his rap performance. It was slightly awkward, but definitely scripted creatively by Astro or perchance someone else. During the elimination show during which Astro created a stir with his tears and attitude, stating he did not feel like he should perform, what occurred really felt similar to his first audition. He went from his lines about being upset and not wanting to perform straight into the rap performance, which just happened to be a song about not wanting to say goodbye and the music started perfectly on cue. Once again it felt slightly awkward, but it wasn’t natural feeling either.
One has to question everything with reality television anymore. Why would they script Astro to act in such a way? The show needs to keep viewers and draw in new viewers and the kid with an attitude storyline has successfully drawn a lot of attention. Here are some scenarios to think about:
A.) He really was in the bottom, which baffled the producers who want to keep him around, so they have him pull this stunt. Then next week they make a video package showing him becoming humble and changing and thus his character arc makes people want to vote for him.
B.) They want him off of the show to start making records right away. Who the real audience for a child rapper is seems to be confusing. Is he capable of making content that adults will groove to? Get him off of the show and capitalize on his current notoriety right away so that money can be made before the idea sours. They just wanted Stacey Francis off worse because she is creepy.
C.) The producers do not actually care about human beings and Astro is just another plot puppet for them to play with and possible really damage. Scripting and paying him to do the part. Perhaps a villain, kid with attitude is the role they are going to market him on. People will tune in to hate.
D.) It was real and he is a spoiled brat. He is not mature enough to be a business man in the music industry.
Astro may feel like he is carrying the world of hip hop on his shoulders being a rapper in a pop dominated format. However, if he is legitimately upset and truly meant everything he said without being prompted then he needs a reality check because last I saw he was not the only contestant who raps on X Factor. Chris Rene may not be doing the same style of rap exactly, but he is representing none-the-less. I overheard that the female contestant Drew is threatening to rap as well. I hope she does and that it is awesome because that could be beneficial to Astro’s ego in the long run.