Want to be a singer? Better have 'the look'

She was an "amazing talent," a young singer with a wonderful voice who wrote beautiful songs. But she was no beauty, plus flat-chested and overweight to boot.

Remembering the aspiring star, music exec Jody Gerson still feels terrible for thinking: "She's never going to get signed, even though she's fabulous."

Gerson might feel even worse after Wednesday night's exit of the matronly Melinda Doolittle from "American Idol." In today's music industry, Plain Janes need not apply.

Doolittle and the heavyset LaKisha Jones were widely considered this season's most talented on "Idol." Yet both were eliminated from the final four in favor of Blake Lewis, who makes the teen girls swoon, and the 17-year-old looker Jordin Sparks.

A quick check of the Billboard Top 40 turns up a list of candidates for "America's Top Model": Avril Lavigne, blonde stunner Carrie Underwood; tomboyish but sexy Ciara, fashionista Gwen Stefani and hip-swiveling Shakira (on a song featuring bootylicious Beyoncé).


When asked whether a female with so-so looks and sex appeal could get a record deal, Gretchen Wilson quickly replied: "They can't."

"The music is not about just music anymore, it's about the look, the 'it' factor if you will ... it's marketing," Wilson said.

True, looks have always been a part of the music business: Diana Ross played a model in the movie "Mahogany," Marianne Faithfull was considered a beauty, Tina Turner's legs were part of her sex appeal, Olivia Newton-John was the lovely girl-next-door and Stevie Nicks rocked teenage boys with more than just her guitar.

But there also were stars like pudgy Janis Joplin and Barbra Streisand, who challenged beauty standards. Even curvy Aretha Franklin was known mainly for her one-of-a-kind voice.

Even singers who are heralded for their talent are gorgeous, such as Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae or Norah Jones. And though critically acclaimed Amy Winehouse isn't a beauty, her songs have a raw sexuality that give her that "it" factor.

So how would Gerson advise the overweight, amazingly talented singer to chase her dream? Put out her music and promote herself on the Web.

"As far as we've come as women," Gerson asked, "where are we really?"