We think we know why Aylin is so happy.
Tonight may be the season finale of The Glee Project, but the SALT Glee project keeps moving forward (those quitters!).
At this point, Ryan Murphy has already decided who will win a guest spot on the show next season—and details about future episodes are trickling out as well.
However, we’re not deterred from our mission, and we’ll still come up with a great financial aid-related story for whoever inherits the crown from Damian (and Samuel… and Alex… and girl whose name escapes me—let’s hope they really choose just a single winner this year).
Here’s our best guess for who that person will be.
BLAKE (CHANCES OF WINNING: 20%)
Poor, poor Blake. His talent got him to the finals, but I think this is as far as he goes.
The Glee team makes it pretty clear that they’re looking to be “inspired by a contender” (i.e., not have to work very hard to come up with a backstory for them). As a tall, handsome, vaguely boring white guy, Blake’s spot is already occupied… and then some.
Nevertheless, we came up with a story that could work for him. In the previous episode of The Glee Project, Blake displayed him “actability” (groan) by taking on a “bad boy” persona, including seemingly getting arrested.
So let’s play off that. Blake gets arrested for vandalism and is worried that he’s ruined his ability to get federal aid. He promises to reform his ways (singing David Bowie’s “Changes,” naturally). However, he learns that his crime will not stop him from obtaining federal aid, so he falls right back into old habits—with tragic (maybe?) results.
ALI (CHANCES OF WINNING: 35%)
Ali probably has the most momentum entering this final episode. Still, despite an “inspiring” backstory (she’s in a wheelchair), I don’t think she’ll win.
If she does, she could become an interesting foil for McKinley High’s other wheelchair-bound student, Artie. For her financial aid story, Ali could keep applying for the same scholarships as Artie—and keep winning them. The two engage in a spirited version of “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better”… and, obviously, eventually fall in love.
Perhaps it is too easy to pair these characters up because of their similarities. Luckily, Glee has never been afraid to make such bold choices.
AYLIN (CHANCES OF WINNING: 45%)
Aylin has done the worst in the competition so far, finishing in the bottom of challenges multiple times. So why will she win? Because Ryan Murphy seems fascinated by Aylin’s background (she’s of Turkish descent and comes from a very conservative family—or so she’s told us every chance she gets).
I can’t blame him or The Glee Project for this. It’s been clear that this competition isn’t just about talent ever since the show introduced its contestants by their physical characteristics (“…a cute blind guy…,” “…an Asian with red hair…”). Glee is about outcasts. You find outcasts by looking for people who are different, and Aylin is the most “different” left in the competition.
Since the show will play off her heritage, we will as well by making Aylin a first-generation college student. To the tune of Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger,” Aylin navigates the FAFSA and the College Shopping Sheet all on her own. As a result, she serves as a role model not only for young girls but also for students everywhere.
Who do you think will win The Glee Project? And what financial aid-related story would you give them? Let us know in the comments.
(Photo: Glee Project Tumblr)
Apparently “money savvy” does not equal “odds-making savvy.” Congrats, Blake!