americanidol.com had the opportunity to do speak with the four Idols voted off during week one. Each of them seemed to face their untimely end on the show with grace, and opened up about what comes next for them.
Garrett Haley was asked whether
Simon Cowell's comments were over the top, and his answer might surprise you. In fact, he said he found a lot of humor in what Simon said. He's happy with his fair skin and the way he looks, and, while it's possible the comments might have affected viewers, they really didn't bother Garrett at all. Now, his friends and family are another story, as Garrett did say that they were quite upset with Simon for what he said on the show.
Garrett was actually influenced by a lot of former Idols, and says that a big reason for him even trying out was his admiration for
Ace Young,
Chris Daughtry, and
Elliott Yamin. While he didn't get to show much of his musical style, he did say that he likes "alternative pop" the most, but he also likes to infuse a little R & B into his performances. Despite the many comparisons to Leif Garrett and Peter Frampton, Garrett admits he didn't even know who either of them was at the time, and he had to look them up on the internet!
When asked about his lack of air time, he said that it, too, might have affected his fate on the show, as viewers might not have gotten a chance to connect with him as fans. However, he didn't let this bother him while he was on the show. He did say that he "beasted it up in Hollywood," and he wishes people would have seen more of that!
While Garrett says he was shocked by being voted off so soon, he will definitely keep singing. In fact, he's never even had one voice lesson. The best piece of advice he was given when on the show was just to be himself, and that's when he thinks he started to shine. As far as who will win this year, Garrett thinks that's a very hard prediction to make. As he said, "Every single person brings something different and unique to the table, and everyone's very talented."
Unlike Garrett,
Amy Davis says she wasn't surprised by her early departure, as she really feels she had a few technical issues with her singing. Although she had a slight case of pink eye, Amy said she wasn't one of the unfortunate ones that was struck with the flu. As far as the most surprising part about "Idol" in general, she said that it was definitely how star-struck she was to see celebrities!
The toughest part of being on the show, according to Amy, was the pressure of realizing just how huge American Idol is, and knowing the expectations that come with each performance. She admitted to having some trouble channeling this anxiety. She said that the show takes it out of you physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, but it's the biggest platform you'll ever get, so you have to put every ounce of energy you get into every song in order to get something in return. She doesn't regret the experience, and even enjoyed learning a great deal about what goes on behind the scenes.
As for the best advice she was given, Amy said
Paula Abdul advised her to really know who she is as an artist, and she has really taken this to heart. In fact, she thinks that everyone planning on auditioning for the show should take the same advice into consideration. She also said that people should remember to stay true to who they are.
Joanne Borgella was asked about her past reality TV experience, as she was the winner of a show called "MoNique's F.A.T. Chance." She actually said that the two experiences couldn't even be compared, as only "Idol" involved singing. She explained that nothing can prepare you for the "whirlwind" experience that is AI. As far as being the last picked and the first one to go, Joanne still said she feels "amazing to be part of the Top 24" out of the thousands who auditioned. She feels like a winner, especially considering the fact that this year is being touted as the best of the best in the talent realm.
When asked about her comment about her voice not sounding the way people expected, she said that most people think that plus sized women will sing a sort of "neo-soul," and, while she loves that music, she really prefers Pop, R & B, power ballads, and dance/club music.
Many often wonder how difficult it is to sing that final song after finding out you are leaving that evening but, surprisingly, Joanne said "It was a beautiful moment." The hard part for her was actually leaving such good friends. She explained that after being under that kind of stress and getting that fatigued together, it's easy to form very strong bonds very quickly, which is what they did.
Joanne said that her life has already changed tremendously, as she's been talking to some huge media outlets about her experience. She also talked about how surreal it was to see herself on the AI commercials. The changes have all been for the better, and she plans on using "Idol" as a huge springboard. As for the future, Joanne is going to continue "dabbling" in modeling, singing, and hopefully a little acting. As she explained, "This opened like 80 billion more doors."
When asked about Simon's comments about his lack of a future in singing,
Colton Berry said that "Simon's job is to be Simon. That's who he's supposed to be." Therefore, it didn't come as a huge surprise to Colton and, in fact, Colton said that Simon should remember that he was a part of picking the Top 24!
Colton doesn't plan on letting Simon's comments deter him from his dreams for the future. As he explained during the interview, his two big goals in life have always been to be on "Idol," and to be on Broadway. Now that he can check off his first goal, he definitely plans to pursue his Broadway dreams, and he said that his dream role would be Fiero from the musical Wicked. In fact, after finishing up with talking to the press about his AI experience, he plans on going home to assume his role as Director for a production of The Wiz.
Colton talked a great deal about the quick bonds that were formed while on the show. He said that they all always made each other laugh, and that most of them were like brothers and sisters to one another, calling the whole experience "so much fun." It's no wonder, therefore, that he wasn't able to name a winner when it came down to it. As he said, "This Top 24 and the talent is ridiculous," and he went on to call it a "level playing field."
Did you miss the results? Watch our
Recap video! Check back soon for our
exclusive exit interviews.
Three-time Grammy winner and reigning ACM and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood launched her headline tour, the “Carnival Ride Tour,” on February 18 and enjoyed sell-outs on the first week of shows. Carrie and special guest Josh Turner performed for over 40,000 fans.
The “Carnival Ride Tour” will continue into 2008 coinciding with Carrie’s co-headline dates with Keith Urban on the “Love, Pain & the whole crazy Carnival Ride Tour,” which kicked off January 31.
Between the Pittsburgh concert on February 22 and the Providence concert on February 24, Carrie and her band headed to New York City to perform on “Saturday Night Live” for their first live show since the writer’s strike. The show pulled in their best ratings of the past two years.
Carrie's current album CARNIVAL RIDE, which contains the smash hits “So Small” and “All-American Girl,” was certified double-platinum within 2 months of its release. Her debut album, SOME HEARTS, was recently certified 7x-Platinum, becoming the best-selling solo female country debut in RIAA history. With this certification, SOME HEARTS now also surpasses all other releases as the all-time U.S. top-selling album by any American Idol contestant.
Watch Carrie as she "tries on" different careers in her latest video for "All American Girl," right here on americanidol.com.
After the girls of the Top 20 watched the guys light up the stage Tuesday, they knew they had their work cut out for them. They got in touch with their inner funky souls for a night of great '70s performances. Check out the songs they chose below!
Singer-songwriter Graham Colton, widely tipped as an artist to watch since the release of his compelling solo debut, Here Right Now, has been named an iTunes “Editor’s Choice” for New Pop Artist. Here Right Now recently debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, at #4 on iTunes Top Pop Album Chart and at #11 on iTunes Top Album chart.
American Idol fans were first introduced to “Best Days” during the closing montage of the "Best of the Rest" episode, the last round of live auditions before moving on to "Hollywood Week." Both the music and lyrics were a perfect complement to an emotional ending for some contestants, and new beginning for others. The song’s lush arrangements and thoughtful songwriting made it a natural choice to be tapped as the exit song for the first round of live auditions among the Top 24 contestants. Similar to the exit songs used in previous seasons, “Best Days” has proven itself to be a hit with American Idol fans across the country. Anthemic and sentimental, it is a song you won’t be able to get out of your head.
Graham moved to Dallas after high school to attend Southern Methodist University. While playing local coffeehouses, he routinely handed out homemade CDs of his music – one of which found its way onto the internet and landed him a slew of new fans. Eventually he attracted the attention of one of his biggest influences, Adam Duritz, who asked him to open for the Counting Crows. Colton put a band together and Graham Colton Band’s well-received 2004 release, Drive, was produced by Brendan O’Brien (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen) and put the band back on the road, opening for John Mayer, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Dave Matthews Band, Train and The Wallflowers.
With Here Right Now, produced by John Fields (Switchfoot, Rooney, Semisonic), Graham comes into his own. From the soaring “On Your Side” to the anthemic “ You Find A Way” to the raucous “Always In Love,” the album is an evocative collection of Colton originals that examine relationships with a deft, unflinchingly honest point of view.
The guys kept their nerves in check and had some fun with many great '70s performances. Check out their song choices below:
The girls of the Top 24 poured their hearts and souls into their '60's performances, and the judges seem more optimistic about this season than ever. As promised, we've listed the girls' song choices and artists below!