Wednesday night (January 25, 2012) I was begrudging the popularity of reality TV shows and how they have displaced some programs I’ve grown up with, most recently One Life to Live (OLTL).  I’ll be honest:  I was not in the mood to watch anything on television; I told myself nothing good could come from Reality TV.  There I was lying in bed watching 1980s OLTL clips of Tina and Cord on YouTube when I started getting emails that would prove me wrong.  My cousin’s emails were urging me, “Watch Tweten on American Idol!”  I thought, What’s Tweten?  Is that a city or something?  Boy was I glad I turned on American Idol.  Contestant Shelby Tweten got a yes from all three judges after singing a soulful rendition of Carrie Underwood’s Temporary Home.  But her beautiful voice was not the only amazing thing about this teenage girl from Minnesota.  She had the courage to candidly talk about having bipolar disorder on national television!  Her story is not just one of the most real moments I’ve seen on American Idol (I used to watch when Simon and Paula were on), but one of the most real moments I’ve seen on TV.  Period.

From Shelby’s brave example, I’ve derived three lessons we can bring to our own lives: 

1)   Bipolar doesn’t have to define you—Shelby said of her condition, “I want to show people that bipolar doesn’t define who you are.”  Yes, she did talk about overcoming bipolar disorder.  But her soulful, raspy rendition of a very adult song, Temporary Home, also distinguished her from other contestants.  It said something about her personality—to choose a song about various characters that are in pain and yearning for a relief from these earthly trials (a poor single mom, an old man on his deathbed, etc) sets her apart from other talented singers auditioning.  She didn’t just want to squeak by with a good enough audition, but she wanted to deliver a show-stopping performance.  And she did!  Randy said, “Dude, you’re good to go because you’re fearless as a singer.” Jennifer Lopez enthusiastically said, “I think everybody knows.  Yes.  Big yes!  100% Yes!”  Steven Tyler said “Wow.  She’s great; another star.”   

2)   Dreams help us stay alive—If you’re fighting a mental or physical illness, it’s important to hold on to your dreams.  For most of us that dream may not be going to Hollywood.  But that doesn’t make our dreams any less important!  Whether it’s finishing school, doing a good job at work, or being a good friend, partner, spouse, parent, aunt/uncle, grandparent despite your illness, hold on to that dream.  Shelby said, “I was diagnosed with bipolar in March but I’ve been struggling with depression since the fourth grade.  American Idol has given me a reason to stay on my meds.  When I’m not on my meds, I’m incoherent…and I’m not myself.” During those times when you’re tempted not to take your meds or to skip therapy, remember what (or whom) you most want to live for.

3)   We all need people who remind us to keep on fighting—When you watch her talk about bipolar disorder or hear her sing, you can tell that Shelby’s a fighter.  But even fighters get weary when staring down chronic illnesses.  Shelby said, “There’s been times where I’ve had hypomanic episodes—I’ll be shaking.  I will stutter.  I can’t control my body.  And my mom will be like, ‘Well let’s sing together.’ And I’ll sing, and like it really helps…”

In case you missed it, here are American Idol clips featuring Shelby’s performance and story.  Flipswitch listeners and readers, I am readjusting my beliefs on reality TV—apparently people on reality TV can get real.  I will be watching American Idol again, and I will be voting for Shelby Tweten.  Will you tune in to watch Shelby?

--Your Flipswitch host, Jessica Lynn Gimeno

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