CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
So much for the Indian Call Center Theory: Undertalented singer Sanjaya Malakar's unlikely wave of American Idol support apparently isn't coming from his father's homeland.
Indians are usually attuned to the successes of their compatriots abroad. But apart from a few brief newspaper articles, at least one short TV news segment, and a few blog mentions, the reedy 17-year-old with the unsteady voice is a virtual unknown here.
One reason is that the show is broadcast a day late in India and on an English-language channel that attracts relatively few viewers in this country of 1.1 billion.
''He's also an object of ridicule,'' said Amit Varma, who runs the popular India Uncut blog.
Malakar's success with viewers, who vote by phone or text message for their favorite performers, has come despite withering criticism from the three Idol judges on News Corp.'s hit Fox network show. The irascible Simon Cowell has even threatened to quit if the native of Federal Way, Wash., wins the contest.
Malakar survived elimination Wednesday night to make it to the final eight. If he can hold on for a few more weeks, he might see his fame spread here, Varma said.
''Even if the guy's really an American, it will be projected by the media here as an Indian doing well in the world,'' he said. ''They'll make a big deal about it.''
As for the theory that Indian call center operators are phoning in votes for Malakar: Most workers have calls automatically dialed for them by computers. They couldn't even call next door if they wanted to. (AP)
Don't miss the untold LGBTQ+ stories of NEW HOPE, PA!
Five short documentaries that capture the diversity & rich history of its deeply rooted LGBTQ+ community.
QUEER CUTS: New Hope!
Watch it ON-DEMAND on the Advocate Channel App until November 15th.
Download our App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lauren Boebert Caught Fondling Date’s Genitals During Family-Friendly Musical: Video
September 15 2023 11:20 PM
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Homophobic Colorado Web Designer Returns to Trial Court After Supreme Court Win
November 10 2023 6:12 PM
Watch Jamie Lee Curtis Tell Homophobes and Transphobes to 'Back the F*ck Off'
November 10 2023 3:18 PM
Transgender Man and Former Athlete Opens Up About What It Means to Be ‘A Real Man’
November 10 2023 1:30 PM
Republicans Try and Fail to Cut Karine Jean-Pierre's White House Salary to $1
November 10 2023 12:16 PM
After Pastor's Suicide, a Man Took to TikTok to Explain What It's Like to Be Outed
November 10 2023 12:06 PM