Fired ANNIE to be on this season of American Idol- Page 3

[BWAYROCKS]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 5:21pm

Hi.

The real controversy around Joanna being fired from ANNIE was that she was let go with virtually NO notice - and it was done very "sneakily". Alexandra Kiesman was Joanna's understudy, and had been since the pre-Broadway tour kicked off four months prior to the firing. One night in Boston, Joanna got bronchitis and was advised by a doctor NOT to perform. Instead of putting Alexandra on, the powers that be put on Brittny - a then 8 year old who was playing "July" and was NOT an Annie understudy. So... the girl MUST have been coached/rehearsed behind the scenes to be ready to go on as Annie. It was just done very deviously. Producers claimed "Joanna and the role" never came "together" --- it certainly couldnt have taken them 100+ performances to figure that out. They just wanted publicity and Nell Carter also had a say in it -- she wanted a "small child" to play Annie. But... all aside, I really hope Joanna does well on AI --- she has a gorgeous voice. I do not really like her outfit choices as of late, but her voice is still gold.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 5:47pm

"Graced with brilliant musicality marked by agile vocals that sustain both angelic delicacy and dynamic power, Brittny is able to transcend generations with a versatility to be savored by all ages."

Her humility is refreshing, isn't it! I too thought at first the guy in the photo was her...and that SHE was the one with the fake meth addiction!

[theaterlover45]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 9:57pm

I don't know if this was posted already but this breaks my heart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc693cU4Sfg&feature=related

[dg22894]

Posted: 1/21/09 at 8:18pm

she was good but I'm surprised they did not do a whole segment on her being a fired Annie before she auditioned.

[provocation]

Posted: 1/22/09 at 2:11am

I find it amusing Adam Lambert, a previous understudy for Fiyero, is also on this season's Idol. I love them both. I own Joanna's album, as well. I hope they both make the top 12. They really are fantastic vocalists.

Updated On: 1/22/09 at 02:11 AM

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 1/22/09 at 7:43am

The Annie on the current tour has just been let go after a month...

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/22/09 at 10:53am

"The Annie on the current tour has just been let go after a month..."

I am beginning to think that the powers-that-be are purposely doing this for free publicity...I didn't even know there was a current tour!

[snowskittle]

Posted: 1/22/09 at 1:47pm

So...Joanna was supposedly a meth addict and out all night when she was...what...eleven or twelve? This is ridiculous.

[LansburyLuPone]

Posted: 1/22/09 at 9:57pm

I remember being so outraged when they fired Joanna from "Annie" because the next morning the radio kept playing a sound clip of her sobbing over it. I always felt that if the child playing "July" could be elevated to the role of "Annie," then the child hired to play "Annie" should have at least been allowed to play "July" - and still be in the show on opening night. It was heartbreaking what they did to Joanna...so I hope she ROCKS on "American Idol" and wins it hands down! If you're out there, Joanna, LIVING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE!

Love,

Lansbury LuPone