Tonight We Fell A Little Bit In Love With Leo Marlowe

We know, we know. It's American Idol. We should be shot for watching. Yadda, yadda, yadda. But that doesn't mean we haven't been surreptitiously setting our DVRs and watching every episode with the lights down and blinds shut.

Tonight Leo Marlowe, as seen in the video above, made us very glad we tuned in.

Meet the 23-year-old Iowan who may be American Idol's first openly gay contestant (at least during the show's actual season, that is), who in his audition managed to be out, charming, and talented, all with relative grace.

He also had the best sound bite of the night: "My mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen, just too bad it wasn't one of her daughters."

Love it.

Do you think America is ready for Leo?

Comments

[scholiast]

Well, if you're not, we'll have him!

Having Simon like someone at first sight... That's truly rare.

[Dominic]

I agree that Leo was wonderful - and YES - I would think and hope that a gay Iowan would gladly be accepted by the AI viewing audience.

[Brad]

Last year's audition phase nearly ruined the whole thing for me. It was SO long with so many two-hour "events" and SO cruel to the lesser talented contestants who had been led by the show's producers to believe they were going to be the next American Idol.

Thankfully this year, they've reigned that in considerably. Shorter shows, only two nights a week, and, so far anyway, the judges aren't calling anyone a "bush baby" this year.

But WTF was up with Paula on last night's program? First she's absent because of a "travel delay," but it was clear, even after she arrived to the judges table, that her flight had obviously not landed. She was alternately slumped over the table, Then crawling over it, declaring touchdowns, and slurring all of her other pronouncements. I'm shocked the producers let her on camera. She was a bigger train wreck than most all of the "Hey Paula!" episodes combined.

[Skwrt78]

Leo is my friends cousin and he sang at her wedding last May. His voice from the balcony echoing through the church was absolutely moving. And he's probably one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I'm rooting for him all the way. Not to mention, I like that he's representing my home state! We don't have much else to do here in Iowa!

[Frank]

He was adorable.

I may or may not have added him as a friend on Facebook...we'll see if he accepts!

[Tim]

Leo is a personal friend of mine. I haven't talked to him in a few years, though. We were both members of a traveling summer show choir and jazz band called Celebration Iowa, although not at the same time.

It was a nice surprise to see him on TV and he sounds just as great as ever.

[mosassy]

Well, I don't even like American Idol, but since there's nothing much on tv these days I have tuned in the past couple weeks. Do they always save the best for last? I hope the "friends of Leo" will include us any off-stage happenings as the season progresses.

I just love Leo!!!! I'm his biggest fan! It's MIL MIl!! Keep singing, you're gonna make it!! Love Ya

[Rita]

Anybody know the name of the boy at the beginning who had zero singing voice but whom Simon promised a spot on the AI finale's red carpet? I'd like to watch that clip again...

[Gary]

Leo was awesome! That intro of himself was so precious and unassuming.

I hope he makes it to the big time!

We will join you with the lights down, blinds drawn...Dialing 1-888-IDOLS1 for Leo!

[Robbie]

I haven't watched a single episode yet, but he makes me want to! Such a cutie! I like how humble and down to Earth he is, and that he sang really well but was still crying when they said yes. So cute.