Bret Michaels appears to be the frontrunner in a rather informal contest to replace a departing Simon Cowell on American Idol. After indicating his desire for the judging gig, Michaels is now racking up some key endorsements. Former judge Paula Abdul recently expressed her approval of the Poison frontman.
“It takes someone who really really understands what it’s like for young people who want to make magic happen. If he were to take that position, I think he would fit the mold perfectly,” said Abdul.
Former contestants seem to be keen to the idea as well. “I like the Bret Michaels idea. It’s totally against the grain,” commented Constantine Maroulis.
The Celebrity Apprentice champion is out on an intense solo tour this summer, following his somewhat miraculous recovery from a variety of ailments including a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a warning stroke, appendectomy, and even a hole in his heart (patent foramen ovale).
Last week, Michaels first went public in his vying for the Idol job. “For a lot of these young musicians, I’d be able to give them incredibly awesome and very, very real advice. Not just the music, but their attitude and what it’s gonna take. Because everyone forgets one simple thing: Once you get chosen as the winner, you still have a big road ahead.”
“I would bring my heart and my soul and amazingly honest and truthful advice. And I would tell them if I thought their chances of making it were really slim – and how to fix that. Because my chances of making it were extremely slim. It’s come from brute determination.”
Some of Michaels’ tour dates this summer will be alongside southern superstars Lynyrd Skynyrd. For a complete listing, visit BretMichaels.com.
