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I don't know if she tripped over a black cat and broke a mirror while carrying salt, but Angela Martin may just be the unluckiest woman in America.
Martin is one of those hopeful, starry-eyed contestants that audition year after year for "American Idol," hoping for overnight fame and fortune. And unlike most contestants, Martin is actually very talented. She has auditioned three times for the show, and three times she has made it to the much-beloved Hollywood.
However, her trips to Hollywood have consistently ended in disaster.
In 2007, her moving personal story of life with her disabled daughter, coupled with an amazing singing voice, easily won her a spot in American Idol's second round. However, shortly after snagging her first golden ticket to La La Land, her father was murdered by his long-time girlfriend, leaving the young Chicago woman too grief-stricken to compete. She left the competition shortly after his funeral.
On her second try in 2008, she once again sang her way to Hollywood, only to lose her spot thanks to a traffic court summons over an outstanding ticket. She spent six days in jail. Now, with a third and final chance at realizing her dream, tragedy has struck again: Martin's mother was reported missing after Christmas. The 28-year-old's mom, Viola Brown (pictured with her daughter to the left), was going to visit Martin's older sister, after the holidays, but never arrived, according to People.com. On New Year's Eve, her car was found abandoned in a Chicago suburb. The "America's Most Wanted" show did a report on Viola Martin's disappearance Jan. 23.
Angela Martin's 10-year-old daughter has Rett syndrome and has been having "multiple seizures a day," Angela told People.
And to top off this heartbreaking tale, Angela was cut this week from "American Idol." She did not make it to the Top 24. Now even a cynical Idol-hater like myself finds it shocking that the producers of "American Idol," knowing this woman's back story and knowing her mother was currently missing, would decide to cut her at this point. You would think they would keep her just for the cliché-overcoming-the-odds-happy-ending. Then they could just wait for the viewers to vote her off. However, sitting in the Kodak Theater, Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi gave her the bad news by telling Martin how strong she was and then told her to pack her stuff. Hey, that's Hollywood. At the age of 28, there will be no more auditions for Martin. She will be ineligible to compete next year. But with every audition bringing tragedy for her, perhaps that's a good thing. I have two words for the unlucky Angela Martin: Jennifer Hudson. People with information about Viola Martin are being asked to call Glenwood police at 708-253-2420 or the "America's Most Wanted" hot line at 800-274-6388. 
Comments: (206)
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By: Lakeesha Lewis on 2/19/2010 11:54PM
What kind of comment is that, "Jennifer Hudson" oh that's some real bs. Jennifer Hudson was an established star when tragedy struck her and there is no comparing the two. This woman is trying to provide an enjoyable and stabile income for no only her but a special needs child. In addition to that without the support of her parents. It's unfortunate and I believe most people have become numb especially to the suffering of the black community. Furthermore, I watched this week and some of the folks that made it personally to me sound like grade a sh*t. Last of all, forget Idol I'm not watching that fake, whack, overrated show again!
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By: Greg D. on 2/19/2010 7:02PM
Lakeesha,
I too think you may have missed the point with the Jennifer Hudson reference. In my opinion, she has and showed more talent than some of the other woman who made the top 24. She has the singing voice, the look (cute with a gorgeous smile) and the body (bam!) to excel in popular music. Her back story is the most compelling one I've heard from that show in years. She certainly has the tenacity (witness 3 attempts)the handle the grind. Not that I didn't already think so but, that show is B.S. for the most part. Hopefully she keeps going. From what I can tell she probably will.
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By: tompage12 on 2/20/2010 7:25AM
You must be black to make a comment like that. She wasn't good enough. Get over it. Maybe if she paid her traffic ticket last year she would have stayed on the show. What keep her on now because shes black....isn't that what you are saying. Racist talk
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By: Alison Wonderland on 2/20/2010 8:29AM
I agree.
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By: sheryl on 2/20/2010 11:23AM
Lakeesha, apparently that article went over your head...read it again.
Tompage, remind me never to have you on my side for a cheerleader. Is this what you would tell your kids "you're not good enough, get over it" WOW....
I tell my kids, there will disappointments in life, you may not always get what you want, but you have to be strong enough to know that 'life happens'...but "get over it"? Seriously? Really?
To Angela Martin: "it ain't over, until GOD says it's over"
Keep your head up sweetie...you're going to be fine. Praying for your strength.
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By: pj on 2/20/2010 10:25PM
African Americans - drop the race card - LET IT GO!! The writer was obviously giving Angela Martin some positive feedback and a well-deserved compliment. Using Jennifer Hudson as an example of a woman who overcame the rejection of American Idol to prove the judges ruling SOOOOO wrong, is an HONORABLE compliment!! My jaw dropped when the judges did not pick her as one of the top 24, because, in my opinion, she is a talented singer and better than some of the contestants that did go through. My only saving grace is seeing in her the strength, talent, determination, and poise that will keep her going and is what gives me hope that we will be graced with her talent, maturity, and presence in the future. She's deserving, she's talented, a positive roll model, and simply amazing!! My prayers are with her!!
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By: Leigh O on 2/21/2010 10:09PM
tompage12,
Racist talk? That's purely hypocritical considering your comment spews profusely of racist slander. I'm not completely dedicated to the show but I have kept up on this year's talent-- And from what I saw, she was better than some of the ones they did put through to the top 24.
From your statement, I gather you have never had any of these struggles. Simply "paying the traffic ticket" isn't easy for most in America, especially with poverty at an over 32-year high. Millions of Americans struggle daily with the threat of poverty and this only increases with the growth of corporate greed. Remember too, that, this young mother has a special needs child-- and that she is probably up to her neck in medical care debt, tack on top of that the inevitable cost of living and a most likely undeserved over-priced traffic ticket. Which would you choose? Feeding your child or dishing out a couple hundred to revenue? Who is to say she had that cash to begin with. Life is obviously a struggle for this woman. I'm sure the last thing she wanted to do was spend six days in jail, away from her daughter and losing yet another chance to make life better for them. Have a heart, give her a break.
By the way, I am white. And I found nothing racist on this comment board until I stumbled upon your unintelligible, heartless and illogical rant. It might do you some good to take a quiet moment and reflect. Take a look into your mind-- Is it warped? Conservative? Filled with sugarcoated propaganda bliss?-- We'll get back to that later-- Now look into your heart. Is there room in there for anyone else besides those who look, think and feel the way you do? Maybe you should take a little *you* time, and resolve these issues. I'd suggest this to you and anyone else who acts the way you do-- and maybe if you and others can resolve all this un-needed hatred and judgment... maybe, just maybe, the World can be a better, more peaceful place.
God Bless.
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By: cal on 2/20/2010 12:22PM
What is this "suffering of the black community" crap ? Life is what you make it. The black people in my neighborhood drive BMWs and fancy SUVs with chrome rims. I wish I could afford to "suffer" like they do. If you hang around with drug dealers, you are a lot more likely to be murdered. Life is all about making good choices and making the most of opportunities. Ever heard of the golden rule ? Look it up. Don't bring the rest of the black community down with your pity comments. That's insulting.
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By: free on 2/20/2010 1:08PM
Tom Page and Alison Wonderland-
you must be white.
[Did they mention Angela's race? No. Only her back story which matched Jennifer Hudson's in family tragedy.]
As for "get over it".....don't you whites get tired of posting that everywhere? It's old and you use it for everything that has a black person in the story (even if it doesn't make sense).
Get over- "GET OVER IT." It doesn't piss blacks off anymore.It's too overused.
Find a new racist catch phrase.
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By: BD on 2/20/2010 1:33PM
This comment is to "free". We say "Get Over It" because we want you to get over it. It's not to piss you off. We really DO want you to GET OVER IT. We ARE SICK AND TIRED OF BLACKS BLAMING EVERY SINGLE THING THAT EVER HAPPENS ON THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BLACK! We are sick of hearing "whitey", "cracker", "hillbilly", and all the other racial slurs. Whites are the only ones required to be politically correct? Heaven forbid we forget if we are supposed to use the term "black" or "African American" this week. Since when are all blacks from Africa anyway? I'm white (I'm sure you assumed that from the get-go!), of Native American (Cherokee) and Irish descent. I don't call myself Native American/Irish American. I just call myself "me". If I HAVE to answer a question about my skin color, I say "white". It's not that tough. I don't feel the need to mention my ancestory. So where did this "African American" bullshit come from anyway? It's annoying, but we play along so we can continue to be politically correct - even though it sounds so stupid. You don't even realize how ridiculous it sounds. So, if you think "get over it" is a catch-phrase that whites are over using, I have only one thing to say. GET OVER IT!!!!!!
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