I guess you do have to whore your way to the top

I developed a theory, in light of the relative success and wholesomeness of American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken, that American Idol short-circuited the fame process not necessarily to bring more "talent" to the fore, but to provide record companies with a more dependable product--with the meltdowns of Winehouse, Spears, the declining marketability of Jessica Simpson, etc., the record companies could probably make more money on a more, well, let's just say "boring" star over time.

Because, as we all know, the road to fame is torturous and long, and often involves making huge compromises for both stars and parents, not the least of which is selling the kid off to Disney or Nickleodeon at age 12. It takes a toll on these child-stars, who are burning out by the time they hit 25.

Well, if my theory is true then it's not working out so well, as this report from The Superficial documents. Both Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks have been dropped from their record labels. Taylor, I could see, but McPhee seems to have the looks to justify some creative sound engineering. Maybe even that didn't work.