EXCLUSIVE: 'American Idol' viewers are still wiping away tears after watching Chris Medina audition in honor of his brain-damaged fiancee this week, and The Script, the Irish trio responsible for the heart-wrenching ballad he sang, tells PopEater they're "moved" by his performance of 'Breakeven' and are pulling for him to win.
"We write our music from a pure and honest place and to see Chris singing 'Breakeven' moved us all," singer Danny O'Donoghue tells us. "The world would be a better place if more people were more like him. Too often we place our admiration on people who don't deserve it but in this case we have a rare individual, a selfless individual who truly puts others ahead of himself."
Medina's fiancee, Juliana Ramos, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident just two months before their wedding. In his touching story, Medina said he believed Juliana would have wanted him to audition and make it through to Hollywood. He wowed the judges and brought viewers to tears with his story of devotion to her.
The Script's guitarist Mark Sheehan is similarly impressed, both with Medina's performance of 'Breakeven,' and also his character.
"The biggest pay off for us with our music is when it finds real people like Chris Medina for him to sing it like it was his own song about something so personal," he said. "That to me is why we make music. His story touched us so much we can only hope that we will all stand by our loved ones like him. That takes a real man. He's already a winner to us."
O'Donoghue adds that he's pulling for Medina to go all the way on 'Idol.'
"It was an honor to hear words we wrote in our darkest day sung so beautifully by this extraordinary man and I hope he makes it all the way to the final, and moves the world on his way there."
An estimated 25.2 million people watched Medina's impressive run-through of 'Breakeven' on Wednesday's show.
The video package that 'Idol' prepared for him was filled with the type of poignant, emotionally taxing imagery that viewers have come to expect. But when Medina had finished singing, the judges asked to meet Juliana, and when she was wheeled in, viewers got the full scope of her injuries. Seated in a wheelchair rocking back and forth, her face was partially paralyzed.
After guarded greetings from Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler bent down, embraced her as a father would to a young child and told her that Medina couldn't have done it without her.
"I just heard your fiance sing, and he's so good. You know, because he sings to you all the time. I could tell," he said, then whispered, "That's why he sings so good, because he sings to you."
Showing posts with label Chris Medina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Medina. Show all posts
Friday, January 28, 2011
Chris Medina Sings for Brain-Damaged Fiancee on 'American Idol'
There's something about 'American Idol,' tragedy and great singers. During season eight, we had Danny Gokey, who auditioned four weeks after his wife's death and went on to the finals. On Wednesday, viewers met, wept and cheered for a Chicago barista named Chris Medina, who stood by his fiancee, Juliana Ramos, after she suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident just two months before their wedding.
In his touching story, Medina said he believed Juliana would have wanted him to audition and make it through to Hollywood. After an impressive run-through of The Script's 'Breakeven,' Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez asked him to bring his fiancee into the room. "We've gotta meet her," Lopez said. At this point, viewers had primarily seen photos of the happy couple before the accident.
Cue tears as Juliana is wheeled in and you get the full scope of her injuries. Seated in a wheelchair, her face partially paralyzed, she rocked back and forth either nervously or through no fault of her own.
After guarded greetings from Lopez and Randy Jackson, Aerosmith frontman Tyler bent down, embraced her as a father would and told her that Medina couldn't have done it without her.
"I just heard your fiance sing, and he's so good. You know, because he sings to you all the time. I could tell," he said, then whispered, "That's why he sings so good, because he sings to you."
It was a classic 'Idol' tearjerk moment, but in a wholly different league than something you would have seen during the Simon Cowell era. Call it the moment that Tyler officially connected with viewers of the show and, as the judges would say, "made it his own."
It's also sure to draw some criticism to the series for tugging viewers' heart strings in a clearly "emotionally manipulative" way, as The New York Times described it. While viewers may have been manipulated, you didn't get the sense Juliana was being overtly exploited. As the Times puts it, "It wasn't pity on display, it was compassion."
As for Medina, of course, he's going to Hollywood.
In his touching story, Medina said he believed Juliana would have wanted him to audition and make it through to Hollywood. After an impressive run-through of The Script's 'Breakeven,' Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez asked him to bring his fiancee into the room. "We've gotta meet her," Lopez said. At this point, viewers had primarily seen photos of the happy couple before the accident.
Cue tears as Juliana is wheeled in and you get the full scope of her injuries. Seated in a wheelchair, her face partially paralyzed, she rocked back and forth either nervously or through no fault of her own.
After guarded greetings from Lopez and Randy Jackson, Aerosmith frontman Tyler bent down, embraced her as a father would and told her that Medina couldn't have done it without her.
"I just heard your fiance sing, and he's so good. You know, because he sings to you all the time. I could tell," he said, then whispered, "That's why he sings so good, because he sings to you."
It was a classic 'Idol' tearjerk moment, but in a wholly different league than something you would have seen during the Simon Cowell era. Call it the moment that Tyler officially connected with viewers of the show and, as the judges would say, "made it his own."
It's also sure to draw some criticism to the series for tugging viewers' heart strings in a clearly "emotionally manipulative" way, as The New York Times described it. While viewers may have been manipulated, you didn't get the sense Juliana was being overtly exploited. As the Times puts it, "It wasn't pity on display, it was compassion."
As for Medina, of course, he's going to Hollywood.
Chris Medina Sings for Brain-Damaged Fiancee on 'American Idol'
There's something about 'American Idol,' tragedy and great singers. During season eight, we had Danny Gokey, who auditioned four weeks after his wife's death and went on to the finals. On Wednesday, viewers met, wept and cheered for a Chicago barista named Chris Medina, who stood by his fiancee, Juliana Ramos, after she suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident just two months before their wedding.
In his touching story, Medina said he believed Juliana would have wanted him to audition and make it through to Hollywood. After an impressive run-through of The Script's 'Breakeven,' Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez asked him to bring his fiancee into the room. "We've gotta meet her," Lopez said. At this point, viewers had primarily seen photos of the happy couple before the accident.
Cue tears as Juliana is wheeled in and you get the full scope of her injuries. Seated in a wheelchair, her face partially paralyzed, she rocked back and forth either nervously or through no fault of her own.
After guarded greetings from Lopez and Randy Jackson, Aerosmith frontman Tyler bent down, embraced her as a father would and told her that Medina couldn't have done it without her.
"I just heard your fiance sing, and he's so good. You know, because he sings to you all the time. I could tell," he said, then whispered, "That's why he sings so good, because he sings to you."
It was a classic 'Idol' tearjerk moment, but in a wholly different league than something you would have seen during the Simon Cowell era. Call it the moment that Tyler officially connected with viewers of the show and, as the judges would say, "made it his own."
It's also sure to draw some criticism to the series for tugging viewers' heart strings in a clearly "emotionally manipulative" way, as The New York Times described it. While viewers may have been manipulated, you didn't get the sense Juliana was being overtly exploited. As the Times puts it, "It wasn't pity on display, it was compassion."
As for Medina, of course, he's going to Hollywood.
In his touching story, Medina said he believed Juliana would have wanted him to audition and make it through to Hollywood. After an impressive run-through of The Script's 'Breakeven,' Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez asked him to bring his fiancee into the room. "We've gotta meet her," Lopez said. At this point, viewers had primarily seen photos of the happy couple before the accident.
Cue tears as Juliana is wheeled in and you get the full scope of her injuries. Seated in a wheelchair, her face partially paralyzed, she rocked back and forth either nervously or through no fault of her own.
After guarded greetings from Lopez and Randy Jackson, Aerosmith frontman Tyler bent down, embraced her as a father would and told her that Medina couldn't have done it without her.
"I just heard your fiance sing, and he's so good. You know, because he sings to you all the time. I could tell," he said, then whispered, "That's why he sings so good, because he sings to you."
It was a classic 'Idol' tearjerk moment, but in a wholly different league than something you would have seen during the Simon Cowell era. Call it the moment that Tyler officially connected with viewers of the show and, as the judges would say, "made it his own."
It's also sure to draw some criticism to the series for tugging viewers' heart strings in a clearly "emotionally manipulative" way, as The New York Times described it. While viewers may have been manipulated, you didn't get the sense Juliana was being overtly exploited. As the Times puts it, "It wasn't pity on display, it was compassion."
As for Medina, of course, he's going to Hollywood.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Emotional Back Story Behind ‘American Idol’s’ Chris Medina
Chris Medina was the breakout star on Monday night’s audition episode of “American Idol,” as he tugged at America’s heartstrings for more than just his singing.
Chris auditioned, performing The Script’s “Breakeven,” and he brought along his beloved fiancée, Juliana Ramos, who is confined to a wheelchair following a tragic car accident. Today, Access Hollywood has new details about this emotional story.
Chris, an aspiring singer, said he fell in love with Juliana the first moment he saw her and the two became engaged in the coffee shop she worked in, in 2007.
They had planned to wed two years after getting engaged, but shortly before they could walk down the aisle, Juliana suffered a brain injury in a tragic car accident.
On the exact day they were supposed to get married, Chris shared a song he wrote for his ladylove on Facebook.
“I’m giving all I’ve got to give/To Pull You through/To set you free/More than the vow/‘Through thick and thin’/I’m living it/In your darkest hour, I will be your light,” were some of his heartfelt lyrics. Click HERE to check out Chris’ song.
According to Juliana’s MySpace page, which appears to not have been updated since December 2007, her idol is Oprah Winfrey and she is a major music fan, especially of musicals like “Rent” and “Wicked,” and Chris’ band at the time, The Green Light.
Even rocker and “Idol” judge Steven Tyler could see that Juliana remains a fan of her fiance’s music, accompanying him to the audition, where she met the judges and show host Ryan Seacrest.
“I just heard your fiance sing and he’s so good,” Steven told Juliana following Chris’ audition. “You know, ‘cause he sings to you all the time, I could tell. Love that… That’s why he sings so good – because he sings to you.”
Chris received a ticket to Hollywood, which Juliana proudly waved.
While he is heading to Hollywood to pursue his dream of singing, Chris continues to take care of Juliana, alongside her mother.
A source close to the family told Access on Thursday that the young woman “is constantly improving. Crossing milestones all the time.”
Chris’ love story touched more than America. It reached Irish rockers The Script, who Tweeted about the young man covering their song at his audition.
“Chris Medina: Not only R U a major talent but U R 1 in a billion! Stay Strong,Never waver,This world needs more MEN like U. Peace+Love,” the band’s guitarist, Mark Sheehan, Tweeted on Wednesday.
Chris auditioned, performing The Script’s “Breakeven,” and he brought along his beloved fiancée, Juliana Ramos, who is confined to a wheelchair following a tragic car accident. Today, Access Hollywood has new details about this emotional story.
Chris, an aspiring singer, said he fell in love with Juliana the first moment he saw her and the two became engaged in the coffee shop she worked in, in 2007.
They had planned to wed two years after getting engaged, but shortly before they could walk down the aisle, Juliana suffered a brain injury in a tragic car accident.
On the exact day they were supposed to get married, Chris shared a song he wrote for his ladylove on Facebook.
“I’m giving all I’ve got to give/To Pull You through/To set you free/More than the vow/‘Through thick and thin’/I’m living it/In your darkest hour, I will be your light,” were some of his heartfelt lyrics. Click HERE to check out Chris’ song.
According to Juliana’s MySpace page, which appears to not have been updated since December 2007, her idol is Oprah Winfrey and she is a major music fan, especially of musicals like “Rent” and “Wicked,” and Chris’ band at the time, The Green Light.
Even rocker and “Idol” judge Steven Tyler could see that Juliana remains a fan of her fiance’s music, accompanying him to the audition, where she met the judges and show host Ryan Seacrest.
“I just heard your fiance sing and he’s so good,” Steven told Juliana following Chris’ audition. “You know, ‘cause he sings to you all the time, I could tell. Love that… That’s why he sings so good – because he sings to you.”
Chris received a ticket to Hollywood, which Juliana proudly waved.
While he is heading to Hollywood to pursue his dream of singing, Chris continues to take care of Juliana, alongside her mother.
A source close to the family told Access on Thursday that the young woman “is constantly improving. Crossing milestones all the time.”
Chris’ love story touched more than America. It reached Irish rockers The Script, who Tweeted about the young man covering their song at his audition.
“Chris Medina: Not only R U a major talent but U R 1 in a billion! Stay Strong,Never waver,This world needs more MEN like U. Peace+Love,” the band’s guitarist, Mark Sheehan, Tweeted on Wednesday.
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