1. I'm confused. Isn't that Jennifer Beals from "Flashdance"?

Posted at 3:17PM on Mar 26th 2007 by Richard

2. Well, hello. Must admit, when I saw this photo I sent it to 67 close friends (and 13 not-so close) and chuckled and chuckled and then... remembered what I was like at 17 and suddenly felt a deep, deep regret. Poor guy. Imagine being a national joke, a symbol for inferiority and embarrassment. Soon he will be a verb -- like, "Omigod, John totally Sanjaya'd Hopelessly Devoted To You at karaoke last weekend..." Is this gay/gender bashing? Nah, it's kid/people bashing.

Posted at 4:19PM on Mar 26th 2007 by Stephen

3. Mangina! Mangina! Mangina!

Posted at 8:23PM on Mar 26th 2007 by Michael

4. Good Question! There's not really a yes or no answer since each individual has different motives/intentions. I guess we could trace the intentions back to the artist that created the pic. My gut feeling is that in most cases like this, heterosexism and sexism do play a role.

Posted at 10:53PM on Mar 26th 2007 by - john

5. Gay-bashing, and gender-bashing is not what it looked like to me. When I first saw the picture I saw someone not afraid to hide himself, which as I figure is what the contestants have to do to become " The American Idol. ". I see an embrace of a subculture which would not typicaly be something you see as normal. I instantly liked the photo, to be honest... and I am considering making it my background.

Posted at 12:35AM on Mar 27th 2007 by Ashley C.

6. Lets not forget that this is a very young man with feelings and still probably trying to find himself. It is a shame that people are making fun of him. I am sure he never thought his trying out for American Idol would of lead him down this path. His inocent big smile will soon be fading away.

Posted at 2:22AM on Mar 27th 2007 by cindy

7. LOOK KIDS, WHO KNOWS, THIS KID MAY HAVE ONE OF THOSE HUMOROUS TYPES OF LIFESTYLES TO JUST MOCK PEOPLE FOR LAUGHS. AS ONCE MENTIONED, HE HAS BEEN BASHED ALOT. SO DOING WHATEVER HE CAN FOR A PICKERUPPER CANT BE RULED OUT HERE. EVEN IF THIS ACTUALLY DOES LOOK GAY, IN WHICH IT DOES, HE MAY HAVE HDID SOMETHING FUNNY TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH.

Posted at 2:42AM on Mar 27th 2007 by Mrs. Flowers

8. Oh! but Is it the think that you know earlier??

Posted at 2:53AM on Mar 27th 2007 by Kobe

9. Great question Kenneth! I'm glad you asked too! While I don't have the answer, it's good for us to talk about these things... I think we too often buy into the "put downs" we see in society, not realizing how we're reinforcing a type of oppression that hurts us all.

So what's the point of this CD fake cover... to suggest that Sanjaya "looks like a girl?" If so, such an action reinforces the notion of what a girl, and therefore a boy for that matter, are "supposed" to look like.

But, as I think is often the case, this cover art says nothing bad about Sanjaya, or about females, or about anything. What is said is, I think, in the mind of the observer and what they see in it--not in the art itself.

Posted at 11:47AM on Mar 27th 2007 by chris tuttle

10. my idol here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=q2TnDX6z-5E

Posted at 5:20PM on Mar 27th 2007 by ucanhavmycake

11. This is awesome! I found a SNL clip of them making fun of hist last performance. He really is just bad! He needs to go. PERIOD! The judges just laugh at him now. I think the best part of it is that he thinks he's actually good... If he knew he was bad, I'd feel bad, but he just flat out sucks!

Posted at 7:06AM on Mar 28th 2007 by Katie

12. People shouldn't be making fun of someone who has achieved something & who's dreams of achieving some more...

Whoever speaks against Sanjaya should first think what they've achieved in life!! It's easy to make fun of others, but hard to get something out of this life...

Gender doesn't matter, what really matters is what have you achieved & how much you've struggled in life to achieve that...

Posted at 8:04AM on Mar 28th 2007 by Ricky

13. I don't think the photo is gay-bashing, I just think it's a comment on his hair-do choices in the last few weeks.
But nontheless, I can imagine that this is very hard for him to handle. I think that people in general feel that because someone has put themselves out there, that they are fair game, without thinking about what thier actions may be doing to the individual. And the anonymity of the internet allows people to be especially cruel. Bottom line is, it takes alot of courage to be vunerable on national television every week, and try to do your personal best. How many of us can say we'd do that?
Meanwhile,if you don't like his singing, don't vote for him. Let's try not to destroy whats left of this kids self esteem and individuality.

Posted at 9:33AM on Mar 28th 2007 by Gina

14. I think this is a travesty on our nation and how citizens relate to one another. This kid puts himself out there, tries his hardest at a talent which may/may not be his best, and what does America do? Try to embarrass the hell out of him. Sanjaya is a kid. You who are picking on him, how old are you? Old enough to be his parents is my bet. How sad. Does it make you feel better to put someone down who could be your son, your nephew, your brother, your friend? This is pure bullying, and I think it is a pathetic excuse for art, and those bashing him, are a pathetic excuse for a human being. Have a heart. I bet you wouldnt say half of this crap if he was standing right in front of you. And to those that would, how terrible are you?! Leave the poor kid alone...hes only seventeen!

Posted at 9:54AM on Mar 28th 2007 by Tiffany

15. Listen, it's all in fun and as "they" say, "There's no such thing as bad publicity." This will only further his career in whatever!

Posted at 10:56AM on Mar 28th 2007 by Marilyn

16. The issue here is not this picture of Sanjaya. The issue is Howard Stern has his audience calling in and voting for the WORST performer to make sure the show isn't rigged. The evil thing is, he's getting GOOD people kicked out and letting the worst one stay. Shame on Howard Stern for denying those who deserve fame and fortune for those who don't.

Posted at 11:31AM on Mar 28th 2007 by jestme123

17. I think Sanjaya represents a lot of people out there - people who don't fit society's rigid gender-norms. He is a wonderful icon for those who present as 'the other' and I feel he should be celebrated. Why does society pick on, tear down, and hate anything that is different? Why do people always fear the unknown? This is the 21st century people, and there are a lot crazier out there than this guy. But I do have to say, "You go, Sanjaya!" And to anyone who has a problem with him... well, you are sad, truly sad indeed.

Posted at 1:03PM on Mar 28th 2007 by Aaron

18. LOOK I AM A MAN OF GOD AND I DO KNOW THAT HOMOSEXUALS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO GOD. SO IF HE IS GAY THEN THIS IS UP TO GOD TO CHASTEN...NOT USE. GOD LOOKS AT SIN AS SIN. THERE ISNT A SIN THATS GREATER THAN THEE OTHER. SO HOW MANY OF YOU ARE LIVING IN SIN? ALL WE CAN DO IS CONDUCT OURSELVES AS CHRISTIANS, IF YOU ARE..ANDIF YOUR NOT YOU WILL FACE HELL HEAD ON. SING YOUR HEART OUT SANJAYA!!!!!GOD BLESS

Posted at 1:26PM on Mar 28th 2007 by Dasma

19. sanjaya sucked last night
please vote him off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Posted at 1:44PM on Mar 28th 2007 by elisa

20. Thats ha-halarious!!!!
i definately think hes gay

Posted at 1:45PM on Mar 28th 2007 by Caitlin