“We all want to judge; it's an intrinsic part of our society and human nature. I'm not surprised that talent shows are hits, but I'm glad some of them aren't so brutal.”

American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, born 1961

Melissa Etheridge is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born in 1961, she became known in the late 1980s with her self-titled debut album, which turned into an underground success and brought her early Grammy attention. Her first album reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, and its lead single, "Bring Me Some Water", earned her first Grammy nomination in 1989. Brave and Crazy followed in 1989 with two more nominations, and Never Enough arrived in 1992. Its lead single, "Ain't It Heavy", won her first Grammy Award.