Chris Medina Sings for Brain-Damaged Fiancee on 'American Idol'

By Marc Schneider Posted Jan 27th 2011 01:19PM

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.

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Tags: American Idol, chris medina

Comments

(27)

Thursday 27 January

By Hepsta

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This was really moving. This year of IDOL is off to a great start. I didn't want to watch it with the new judges but Steven Tyler makes me forget any of the other judges. What a rock and roll legend and what a genuine man.

By tony

you hit the nail on the head hepsta,he was great in areosmith and hes great in life.peace out.

By Maria

I cried the ugly cry. I cried for Juliana's struggle, I cried for the beauty of Chris's devotion and I cried because I wish I could have been as eloquent as Steven was. It was an amazing scene. I would have had to be carried out if I was there.
That said, stop the hate, people. We can all live amongst ourselves the way we want and get along. Or just don't engage.

By Horacio Garcia

Awesome story. God is still making miracles.

By fiona

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As is always the case, the sympathy votes will pour in once the season gets underway. The same with all these 15 year olds. The show needs to leave people's private lives at the doorstep and stop concentrating on finding the next Beiber boy as well.

By montana

I couldn't DISAGREE with you more. Their personal lives add a personal touch. These judges are Pros, unlike yourself. If the contestants can't sing I don't care how many brain injured fiances they bring in they aren't going to Hollywood. Now go back to work at McDonalds, Fiona

By Cole

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I agree, you should be judged on your talent, not your personal struggles, or your character. If we judged on character, Charlie Sheen and 90% of the rappers out there would be unemployed.

Monty, too bad you missed the point entirely, and at the same time degraded an entire population of McDonalds workers. It's obvious you've watched the show for years, yet you can't see how singling out someone and featuring them with a very sympathetic back story is actually creating instant bias. He now has 'one up', regardless. It's happened many times before (can you say Fantasia?) and it will continue to happen. But while this contestant Chris had a wonderful audition, he also has an unfair advantage given that Americans love to go with a hard-luck story. He could blow it a couple weeks during the regular season (just like Fantasia) and he'll still make it at least to the top 5. It's not his fault though, it's the producers for allowing the bias to enter a contest where everyone should be on an equal footing. I've held enough auditions and judged enough talent to know better. FYI, Monty, I could do their job in my sleep.

By Lisa Green

i am happily surprised at this season of idol, i have been a fan in the past, but was dissappointed when paula left & thought for sure when simon-exited, it was over-BUT, i am really enjoying the new judges & i think its just as great and entertaining as it was with the original judges--and this story is truly touching-i am positive the young girlfriend was over the moon with excitemnet meeting the three idol judges-they did a real nice-once in a lifetime thing for her-she is blessed in many ways.

By libert del mundo

... a person like chris medina is absolutely rare these days, i dont think that its exploitation. well if they insist that it was i am willing to watch all the exploitation such as this... "for better or for worse, till death do us part, thats what real love is all about.....

By Sharon

I'm kinda crushin' on Steven Tyler . . . .

By ks

You're not the only one.

By Alexandra

I understand! I have been "crushin'" on him since I was 13 years old, and this only confirms the great respect I have for him. Sure, Steven Tyler can be wild and crazy, but he has a genuine heart and is a great person :)

By mikey

While a tragic story, why do they bring these up before the contestants have even sung a note? It is absolutely exploitation and done for ratings since the show has done worse in recent years. If they insist on doing the personal tragedy stories, save them for late in the season.
Steven Tyler ROCKS by the way. He's one of the most credible judges because he's been through it all, from the top to the bottom and back again.

By mw

Goosebumps and tears with Chris' story last night. I'm watching Idol this after not watching for the past 2 years. I like Steven, I didn't think I would.

By KC

I was so touched by Steven's words to this young woman. He was so genuine and spoke to her with such sweetness. I don't think I'll ever forget what he said to her. It was as if he were speaking with his own daughter. And you could tell he meant every word. Way to go Steven.

By unknown

omg this brought tears to my eyes. " anybody gotta hanky " ? im serious , it was so moving , the man sang my fav song . sounded just like the true artist ..... i am so moved by this .... < breathless>

By lbc

I miss Simon and Paula! Idol is not the same anymore it's kind of boring. The judges are cool but it feels like it did when Kara and Ellen were on there's no pizazz. Steven and Jlo are great Entertainer's but that does not mean it will make for good TV.

By mdjsmom

I'm loving this season, great judging, great voices, and the last segment was truly touching with Chris singing for his fiance. She is very beautiful and he is a wonderful man and so talented. I can't wait to see how this season play's out. Lot's of luck to all those moving forward.

By MBsMom

Miracles DO happen - very cool story. Steven Tyler - you're DEFINITELY THE MAN! It's so good to read a story that you feel goodness and love from it.

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