Death Of A Superfan

Give it a rest. This whacko's problems trancended Idol. The media will milk this for everything they can. Bloodsuckers is too kind. After all just look what they did to the Presidential election. Biggest scam in the American history.

American Idol reminds me of the movie "They Shoot Horses, Don't They". For the sake of entertainment we put people who are different on TV and laugh at them so the viewers can feel better about themselves. ("At least I'm not that weird.") Desperate people will go on there for fame, attention, money, because they think they're better than they are or whatever reason and the rest of the world can make fun of them. The show will go on because there are a lot of people out there who are worse off than most of those who show up to audition and need a way to feel better about themselves. That's why they show the really bad auditions and the really good auditions and skip the mediocre. Seeing other people hurt is what the show is all about and people love that.

To blame the show is ridiculous! Long before the show friends and family must have ignored this young woman's behaviour that cried for help. You can just imagine how many people fed into her fantasy by not telling her straight out that she could not sing and by not staging in intervention to force her into the reality that she needed help. The show could not possibly have been the first place where she was encouraged to get up and perform. I know horrid actors like this who perform in one micro indie film after the next, for no pay, and are continually encouraged to "follow their dreams", which is typical American nonsense. Following unrealistic dreams is stupid. Aspiring to be something when you are not the material for the job is stupid. Encouraging people who are living in that fools pardise is a crime that is committed by many before such a tragedy occurs. Also, we need to think about possible danger to Paula whom she was stalking. I feel sorry for stars who have wierdos like this doing the things she did. It's very scary. It was just a matter of time before she hurt herself or Paula and EVERYONE including friends and family who ignored her behaviour and encouraged her is partially to blame, NOT the show.

American Idol has had a following ever since it began. Everyone that has gone on to audition KNOWS that if they cannot meet the judges expectations, especially if they are really bad they set themselves up for public humiliation all over the world! What happens, unfortunantly, is some family member or friends have actually told these people that they can actually sing when in fact they can't! So this puts it in their heads that they are good. When in fact they suck. It is really sad that this woman did this, but she had some really deep seated mental issues that she should have gotten help with long ago before it reached this tragic end. The show or Paula Abdul should not be blamed.

How obnoxious to suggest that this untimely death of some poor soul who idolized Abdul and wanted to sing would boost the ratings of that show. How obnoxious it is that this could possibly be true and what does that say about the people who take pleasure in mocking and humiliating and enjoying someone elses suffering. That show is becoming a "rag sheet show" rather than one of talent. Most people I know only watch the stupid auditions because that is where the producers stick the worst of the lot and make fun of them. Seems Ms Goodspeed could not handle the abuse. She is gone and you think their ratings will go up. God help us. Idol should be done.

zzdoc you're an idiot. They call people out for what they are when they are so delusional they show up with no talent. Goodspeed had nothing to offer other than she fashioned herself after Abdul and she got what she deserved. So a mentally ill person commits suicide and we're discussing if a show will survive? Stupid.

I heard Goodspeed actually called a suicide hotline that connected her to their outsourced call center in Pakistan. When she said she was suicidal, they got all excited and asked if she could drive a truck!

The show must go on!! We would not have Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Kelly Pickler, Ruben, etc. if it were not for Americon Idol. I have also enjoyed songs from the other contestants. It was cool to see some old favorites show up on the show???like Queen, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, etc. American Idol gives people who can sing a chance that might not otherwise make it. Unfortunately, to find that talent takes sorting through those who do not have that ???it??? factor. It must be very frustrating for judges who have heard the best vocalists in the world to then have to sit and listen to the worst. There should be some sort of prior screening, but then it would not be as ???real???. I do agree with others on this blog that there should be less promotion of the public ridicule, which could be very damaging to someone who is unstable, and obviously this has now happened. However, people do need to know the honest truth, which Simon gives them.

Given the obnoxious glee with which those self-proclaimed judges deprecate the hopeful, for the sake of entertainment value, this unfortunate happenstance was anticipated by me long ago. I gave up on those fools long ago.

I can't believe a true journalist could actually write this story. At first, I thought your headline was a spoof. And specifically by a Newsweek journalist...

Mr. Setoodeh and Newsweek editors, please show some judgment, rather than going for shock-value with your articles. This individual was obviously disturbed, however because they chose to put themself in the possible and likely position to be judged and ridiculed publicly, does not make any kind of a statement about the value and longevity of the show itself. One has to only watch one episode of Idol to understand the rules by which the participants play.
Personally, I don't care for the show, but it is what it is... Shallow entertainment for the American public, usually at the expense of the participants.
As a Newsweek reader, I hope you'll choose your perspectives more carefully next time.

NEWSWEEK, why don't you POST the past whackos who have stalked, and harmed celebs. Obsession is a disease and it would do you well to focus on THAT rather than on focusing on the program, film or venue of the celeb involved. Jodie Foster would be one....... You are becoming TABLOID, Newsweek.

Everyone has seen the show and knows what to expect. Unfortunately this woman had an obsession with Paula long before she was even on the show. The only reason she went on the show was because of Paula not because she thought she could sing. It's not fair to blame the show. I do feel for her family and it is sad that it had to end that way. But it was not the first time this woman was in front of Paula's house. Scary

The "superfan" was mentally unstable and had problems....I don't believe that's the definition of a "Superfan"

to make fun or "mock" someone who has obvious issues w/reallity is just sick.

"Can American Idol survive the suicide of Paula Abdul's admirer?"....should we care?

oh it was a female that ended her life any way no matter he or she they made a stupid choice too end their life that way and for whatever we all may get depress but isnt your life much more than a show we watch or ? self more important get over it

This is a sad commentary on our society really. What we consider entertainment is often a bit scary. I suppose it is just human nature to be interested in the unusual. The worst part about suicide is what those who go on living have to live with. I am certain someone is asking themselves what did they do to make this person do what they did and balming themselves and will carry the scars for life. I have first hand experience with this and I assure you all it will stay with me the rest of my days. I am sure Ms.Abdul feels very sorry about this just as she indicated.

Who cares some nut job committed suicide? Why should/would it have any influence on/over what Paula does is connected with. Just cleaning up the gene pool folks.