I, along with millions of people in America, tuned in to watch the first season of “American Idol” in 2002, the year Kelly Clarkson received the coveted “idol” title. As a 13-year-old girl, the show struck a chord and inspired me to follow my dreams, and made me believe, I too, could become a superstar like Clarkson.
Of course, that dream was shot down after I realized I could never pull off singing in front of millions of viewers, and let’s be honest, I can hold a note, but I’m no Clarkson.
Throughout my childhood, I tuned in almost every week to watch the show, which began its final season on Wednesday.
While the show’s rating has declined in recent years due to the increase of copycat singing competition shows, I will always remember “American Idol” as one of the shows from my childhood.
It’s funny what we remember from our childhood. Whether those memories are happy, sad or funny, we tend to take those memories with us into adulthood. I’m not sure if I consumed way too much television as a child, but television shows like “American Idol” serve as nostalgia for me and reminds me of a time when life was simpler.
While there were other television shows that meant a lot to me in my childhood, “American Idol” reminds me of the times I shared with my neighborhood friends while watching the show and the copious amounts of popcorn I ate as I belted “I Will Survive” along with the contestant.
It’s amazing how one show can shape pop culture and bring people from all walks of life together. The show focuses on making dreams a reality and that message resounds loudly to many of us who want to follow our dreams and be the best versions of ourselves. Whether we want to become a singer, an astronaut or a doctor, “American Idol” has a way of inspiring people who want to do something greater with their lives.
I plan to tune in this season in order to ignite my childhood nostalgia.