Reality Rocks

Carly Smithson Finally Has A Hit

By | Reality Rocks – Sat, Feb 23, 2008 7:55 PM EST

Financing a music video with more windy special effects than the director's cut of Twister: $250,000

Marketing an artist who sells only 370 albums: $2.2 million

Getting on American Idol: PRICELESS

Hey all. As I'm sure you all know by now, back in 2001 Carly Hennessy--or Carly Smithson, or Carly Hennessmithson, whatever you want to call her--released a $250K video rather inaptly titled "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind." (From the looks of it, $249,000 of that budget was spent on a wind machine.)

I say "inaptly" because, as many articles (including one in Reality Rocks) have reported, Carly only blew about 370 minds...if the appallingly not-so-high record sales for her album Ultimate High are any indication.

Ah, but what a difference a few years--and a suspicious, controversial placement on television's most popular talent competition--can make.

Outraged interest in the conspiracy-theory-sparking American Idol contestant (who was signed to Randy Jackson's old label, whose song "Just Missed The Train" also appeared on Kelly Clarkson's debut album, etc.) has caused the "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind" video to skyrocket from spot #999,999 (or thereabouts) on the Yahoo! Music video chart all the way up to the #2 spot:

Yes, more people have probably seen Carly's six-year-old windblown video in the past week than did in 2001, back when MCA Records was squandering more than $2 million trying to get her on TRL.

So I guess, in a way, Carly's already won, huh?

 

News for You

  • NYPD investigating actress Bynes allegations

    NEW YORK (AP) — Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that New York Police Department officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window of her 36th-floor Manhattan apartment.

  • Museum starts night tours of signs from Vegas past

    LAS VEGAS (AP) — The junked signs that attracted throngs to old Las Vegas have for years gathered dust in a neon boneyard just a few miles from the sleek mega-casinos on the Strip.

  • A controversial victory lap for Lewis at Cannes

    CANNES, France (AP) — Jerry Lewis, so beloved in France, isn't quite overcome with emotion now that he's back at the Cannes Film Festival.

  • Latest 'Bachelorette' won't say if she's engaged

    NEW YORK (AP) — ABC's newest "Bachelorette," Desiree Hartsock, says it's not hard to keep the details of her experience on the show a secret from her friends.

  • Actress Bynes accused of bong toss out NYC window

    NEW YORK (AP) — Actress Amanda Bynes appeared disheveled in a long blond wig and sweats Friday in a criminal court where she was charged with reckless endangerment after police said she heaved a marijuana bong out the window of her 36th-floor Manhattan apartment.

  • Rare Superman comic found in house insulation

    MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — It's considered the Holy Grail of comic books: Action Comics No. 1 from 1938, featuring the debut of Superman. And David Gonzales found one mixed in with old newspapers insulating a house he was renovating in a small town in Minnesota.

Show More