Is Alter Ego on FOX sending the wrong message?

Almost everything about FOX’s new singing competition series is fun, except for the main part. What message is Alter Ego sending? Fans have mixed feelings.

Alter Ego is a new competition show on FOX that allows contestants to create an avatar so that the digital projection performs in their place while they sing backstage. As the host Rocsi Diaz explains, this gives the vocalists a shield from their anxiety.

Any insecurities disappear thanks to the avatar, but is giving these contestants a security blanket the right move? Is that sending the wrong message to audiences?

Only two episodes are out, but fans have mixed feelings about it.

Should Alter Ego encourage self-confidence instead of avatars?

Many contestants share they come from a place where there is no judging. A place of acceptance and self-love. So why hide behind an avatar?

It would have been more empowering for Alter Ego to encourage self-confidence to boost any aspiring artists watching from home. Think of how motivating that would be! It’s what we need more of.

It would have been better if they performed as avatars, just for fun. Because the technology really is super cool and clever. The judges, Alanis Morissette, Nick Lachey, will.i.am, and Grimes, are fun and get along well. I’d like to see more of their chemistry. The part I can’t understand or get behind is hiding behind an avatar.

To be fair, I’ll continue watching and give it a fair chance. Perhaps they’ll address this in a future episode once auditions are over and the artists perform as themselves.

How do you feel about the whole concept? Do you think the singers should perform in-person? Will this issue be addressed after auditions are over? Only one way to find out!

New episodes of Alter Ego premiere Wednesday nights only on FOX. Will you continue watching?