Highlights:
- What was she thinking when she was in the Bottom 2? “I think at this stage, we’re in the top six, and I feel that everybody was kind of thinking they were going home. Not one person feels safe anymore. We’re all just so grateful for the experience. I feel like “American Idol” has given me such a gift, such a platform to be able to launch myself off of. … I’m actually not that sad to be leaving. I enjoyed every minute thoroughly, but we’re back in two weeks to start preparing for the tour and the finale, so it’s like a small break and I’m gonna be back. I think anywhere after top 10 is just a bonus. I think I made enough of an impact to be able to reach a good fanbase. Now I just get to be me without a theme night and make a really cool record, so I’m excited.”
- Was she upset to be eliminated after a good performance? “loved every minute of [singing “Superstar”], I really did. I had fun. I think maybe it was too late. I realize not to take everything so seriously. Early on in the show, they had set the standard so high for me, and they were a lot harder on me than other contestants. And I think it kind of got to me for maybe a few weeks. By the time I met Mariah Carey, I had kind of changed my mind. She was just so cool and so normal and so nice. Obviously, we come into this and they want us to be a star, but I come from a bar, and I have no idea what a star really is supposed to act like. … When we met her, I was just like, ‘You know, I can just be normal, and that’s cool.’”
- Is American Idol a popularity contest? “I agree a little bit. I think that I kinda started out on the show with some bad press. I don’t think it really helped me that much. [Laughs.] Early on, people accumulate their fanbase. Every week, I gave as good as I could. I enjoyed every moment on the show. Everything was just so amazing, the response that I had, [but] women vote for this show, and they vote for the boys. The boys are adorable, and I definitely feel that the girls had more of a struggle this year with trying to get the popularity vote. I think the boys are definitely charming the females a lot. And they’re very talented too — everyone’s very talented — but I think it was definitely a bit of a struggle for the ladies.”
More After the Jump…
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, MTV, EOnline
- Was she surprised to go home before some others? “You know, I’ve been asked this question all morning. And I know what you’re talking about, and I’m sure she knows what [you’re] talking about. But I kind of sat down with everybody before I left, and I’m not surprised. Some people have bigger fanbases than I had, and that’s okay. My fans were very good to me, and they kept me in as long as they did. And I truly believe when you have a good night, it is maybe the kiss of death, because your fans don’t power-vote for you like if you had a bad night. And that’s just the way it goes. And I have no hard feelings. I love everyone on the show, and I wish them all the best. [Brooke] had a blunder, but I truly believe after the blunder, she gave a knockout performance. Cut the blunder out, and go from where she restarted her song, and I think it was great.”
- Is American Idol her second chance? “I’m not sure that I even had a first chance. I did get signed before, but it just never really happened. [My album] went to stores, but it was never promoted. It just kind of crashed beneath my feet. The record label imploded. … I understand [”Idol”] was a second experience, but it feels like it was my first chance. I like to see it in a fresh mind. I like to not dwell on things that had happened before and just like to see this as the first real experience that I really had. I learned so much more with this and had so much more of a positive experience than I had ever had in the past.”
- Who is her favorite in the competition? ” My favorite went a long time ago. My favorite was Amanda Overmyer. I thought she was fantastic. Obviously, I love the rest of the people, and I could never pick a favorite.”
- About performing Andrew Lloyd Webber, “They’ve been wanting to do Andrew Lloyd Webber for a couple of years, and it finally happened this year. He is so incredible. I’m not sure Broadway was really anything challenging to any of us. You look at Mariah Carey — that was a hard week for everyone. But looking through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s songs, there was something for every person in the top six.”
- About forgetting her lyrics, “That song was last-minute. When I sang for Andrew Lloyd Webber, I’d learned the other song, All I Ask of You, and there’s a lot of words in Superstar. I fumbled on a few of the lyrics. I was so irritated with myself when I got off the stage, but last night I got them all right.”
- About the judges being hard on her, “It’s nerve-racking; I’ve already been disqualified, and I had such a great audition in Las Vegas. And then I come back, and I just felt like I had to beat myself almost. You guys haven’t seen the footage of the Las Vegas audition, but I asked to see it because I felt so confused (by Simon Cowell saying), “That wasn’t as good as two years ago.” I watched it back, and it was exactly the same. I was trying to beat myself every week to be better and better and better. I felt I did a great job; I was satisfied with myself and my performances. Simon had a different idea in his mind. I’m not sure he really wanted me to be who I am. I don’t think they liked the whole pop/rock, Heart idea that I have about myself. All of his criticism wasn’t necessarily negative, I think he just really wanted me to do well.”
- About Simon Cowell in particular, “Everyone kept saying, ”Don’t try to impress Simon,” and it was like, well, everyone’s clearly listening to what he’s saying, because every time that I’m in the bottom section, it’s because he was unpleased with anything that I did. But he set the bar very high for me early on. A lot higher than he did for any of the other contestants. Whether somebody else forgot their lyrics or whatever, I could go out and do something great and he still wasn’t going to like it. I felt satisfied with everything that I did. Words cannot describe what goes through the mind of Simon Cowell. You just don’t know what he’s going to say. So I went out there, gave it everything I had, enjoyed every moment of it. I have no regrets, and all I can do is move forward now. There’s no theme nights anymore, so I can be myself and make my record and be creative and not sing cover songs. American Idol is this huge pedestal, and they know their stuff, the people on that show. They’re amazing. They really are. They’ve helped me so much. And I owe them. I don’t think ”thank you” is enough.”
- How she felt about Simon criticizing her look, “I understand what he meant by he wanted me to be a star. I think that I kind of upped my look a little bit [since]. I think I looked all right that night; I didn’t think I looked bad. But I understood what he meant by, Put on the glitz a little bit and look like a star. But I came from a bar. I don’t necessarily know what a star is supposed to be, how they’re supposed to act or whatever. You know, that’s just part of learning. And I think I learned a lot on the show, and I’m very, very grateful to the show.
- What Neil Diamond song was she going to sing next week? “I was planning to sing “Sweet Caroline.” I wanted to do a ballad-ish [version], because I did such an uptempo song this week. I was gonna do it with a cello and a piano and make it like a slower, big, big, big song, because it’s such a recognizable song.”
- Is Broadway in her future? “Maybe.”
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Refreshing candor. No one else was as blunt. You’ve got to love that.
The girl is super talented and with the right material, will score. You don’t have to connect to the audience with a recording, which is where she will shine. (And I suspect that she will record something that will be contemporary and worthy of radio.)
Hmmm…..is she claiming that David A. and David C. are winning by “batting their eyelashes” and wooing with their falsettos?
Well, fine, Carly. But charm is a large part of the business they call “show,” lassie. And though you seemed almost desperate to please us and the judges, you need some lessons in how to make the most of your own considerable talent before snarking on those who know how to make the most of what they’ve got.
meanwhile, on to something else I may have missed on some other thread: did anyone else think that Leona Lewis pimpage was thoroughly forgettable? Beautiful young woman, obviously talented. But the song was evaporating in my memory as she sang it. No hook, no melody, nada.
at least when/if Carly does get another shot at making a record, she’ll be able to pass on crapola like that…..
colette, I checked out Leona Lewis when her buzz started about a year ago and I just didn’t get it. I still don’t…
I’m with y’all on Leona. Very forgetable. I’m a Jason fan this year and a huge Taylor fan so I guess I am moved less by perfection on a voice (which is not that rare) to the emotions that singers bring to their songs. Taylor IMO is a master at that and I think Jason is good too. I like a distinct voice. A lot of the singers today are interchangeable IMO.
Hmm… Leona is HUGE where I’m from. People love her, and they love “Bleeding Love.” I personally think it’s got a good beat, and the melody is pretty memorable.
As for Carly, I love how honest and open she seems in these interviews. I, for one, will miss her.
I am amazed that she thinks she got the lyrics to Superstar right the second time becase she didn’t. One example is she said “King of the crop.” instead of “pick of the crop” Quite frankly, I always thought she had some mental “issues.” She seemed extremely needy.
I read in an interview, maybe on people.com, where Carly said that she was proud that she got all the lyrics right on Wednesday night, except for one that she did on purpose. She said that she sang “king of the crop” to Simon when she knew it was “pick of the crop.”
Thanks QZar99, Ill look for that!
I read the People. com thing. If ALW knew she would sing “King” as she said in the interview, then she knew she would be in the bottom 2. Or it is all a bit of a fib…?
Oh, pleeeeeeeeeeeeze, harder on Carly than the others? Only if you’re TCO do you get a pass on anything from forgetting lyrics to a medicre performance. Carly, where have you been? We’ve had 4 female winners on AI, so, there goes that theory down the crapper.
So, she hit the bottom 2 o3 when Simon didn’t give her props. Then she hit bottom 2 when he praised her. Can’t have it both ways.
Good luck in your career. I certainly won’t be supporting it.
And, yes, Leona Lewis is forgettable. But, with Cowell’s money behind her, she’ll be shoved down everyone’s throat.
-I actually agree with Carly’s popularity comment, but after MJ was voted off, it doesn’t hold as strong.
-I love “Bleeding Love”! It gets stuck in my head a lot, and I love Leona’s voice. I don’t think she’s forgettable, but w/e.
-Carly forgot the lyrics? Ouch, I didn’t even realize.
Hicksaholic, I’m a Taylor fan, too. Always will be.
I agree with most of you about Leona. I didn’t think she was any big deal.
I don’t think Carly was criticized any more than the rest of them. Maybe it’s just me, but when she’s asked about her song choice or how she thought she did, she says it was fun or she enjoyed herself. Sounds like she’s bragging on herself. I also noticed on American Idol Extra that when Michael Johns joined her for the interview, he couldn’t say much because she kept interrupting him. The host clearly looked at Michael, trying to talk to him and Carly butted in almost everytime. Later, Michael had a one on one interview and wasn’t interrrupted. I wish Carly all the best and I know she’s proud of herself, but I hope she doesn’t get too cocky.
I think it is silly of Carly to say that women do the voting and it is harder for females. Hello…last year a female won..the year before a female was runner up …the year before that a female won…and so forth…if a female is a good singer I think they have a fan base with no problems. Dont try to use the I am a girl excuse Carly, it just doesnt fly with me.
I don’t care for Leona Lewis either, though I thought she was better than Mariah Carey, on the same stage.
I agree that’s it’s not just singing ability alone that makes a talent great. There’s also the likability factor that Simon refers to now and then.
“Oh, pleeeeeeeeeeeeze, harder on Carly than the others? Only if you’re TCO do you get a pass on anything from forgetting lyrics to a medicre performance. Carly, where have you been? We’ve had 4 female winners on AI, so, there goes that theory down the crapper.”
Maybe that’s because it was her exit interview and not his. He had his 2 weeks ago and coming back for hers seemed a little odd.
She said this year the boys are so adorable which is something that I brought up before that I feel the boys get a way with a lot because they’re so dreamy. I know at least in my personal life when I’ve talked to people my niece only mentions Jason in the he’s so dreamy and a coworkers reaction to Michael Johns was he can do anything because he’s so cute. Also most of the comments around the boys have had to deal with how cute they and such.
Steven, I don’t disagree that there are those who vote for idols based on how “dreamy” they are. That doesn’t go for everyone, however. It certainly isn’t the reason I vote for Jason or the reason I voted for Taylor. I have only ever voted for those two (except last year when I threw a few votes Blake’s way; and this year when I threw a few to Cookie) because they gave performances that moved me to vote for them.
The mentality of vote because they’re “dreamy” swings both ways. I’m sure Kat received more than her fair share of “oh she’s so pretty, I’m voting for her”. I know that’s why my nieces voted for her. She fit their pretty, pretty princess ideal. They voted for Kellie until she left and then switched to Kat. So, what I’m saying in my long winded way, is that there are lots of reasons that people vote for every idol wannabe. It isn’t always about perfect pitch for everyone. And everyone is entitled to vote for their favorite for whatever reason - even (gasp!) VFTW.
Was sorry to see Carly leave the show, was beginning to like her very much and her personality was starting to shine, she can really sing, and when relaxed, and in her element, enjoyed her very much. It was obvious to me all the early press about her old failed record contract was getting in her head, and made her a bit tense, and disconnected.
She seems like a gal I could talk music with, enjoy a band and have a beer with,appreciated her grace on elimination night, she was a real trooper, and took it in stride.
As far as forgetting the lyrics, thought she covered pretty well, all in all, I never noticed!
Bleeding Love is on heavy rotation, you can’t escape it anywhere. I like Leona, but she’s European — and it’s very very hard being European to win over an American audience — just look at the Beckhams :)
If Madonna wasn’t American she wouldn’t make it here so easily either.
OMG Sally!!! Van Morrison, James Blunt, Newton Faulkner, Amy Winehouse? Do I need to go on?
I have to agree with Steven about the whole “dreamy guy” thing, but, of course, not everyone votes that way. I know that’s why I liked Chris Rich so much last year. If you watch the beginning of Idol Extra (I don’t know if it’s the videos MJ posted), you can see that the mosh pit consists of a bunch of younger girls screaming their guts out to get a touch of Simon’s hand. (isn’t he so dreamy? haha.) But, I also think that relationship status might possibly have something to do with it too. That could explain why Michael Johns got an early boot. I do find it interesting that the last three guys standing are all “single”. Hehe. Just adding a little something to the theory.
Totally disagree with all of them….I don’t know who Newton is….James Blunt is a one-hit wonder….he had one hit here and gets a lot of gossip….Amy Winehouse, need we write more about that wreck! Van Morrison goes back decades, he had already made his mark….
But I mean Joss Stone is having a hard time making it to the top of the charts and she’s British. Corinne Bailey had one hit record….it’s just harder coming from Britain NOWADAYS to make it here….Kylie Minogue isn’t doing well here — I think she’s Australian…not sue….not like it was back in the Beatles days when everybody from England came over.
I’m not saying Leona won’t make it….it’s just harder….she’s doing very well considering….but she’s got to win over the American public and that’s why the push to get those sales up.
Anyway back to Carly — she seems so MUCH MORE RELAXED….I guess the pressure is OFF and she’s having fun.
My opinion is that Carly thought that she was a lot better than she actually was. I did not like many of her performances and I did not find her to be a likable person.
She sold 378 copies of her first CD. If she makes another, she may sell 1,000 copies of it.
Daivd Beckham was a footabll player which is not as popular as american football,baseball and basketball but wildly popular elsewhere..He was braught over for tons of money to play for the LA but broke his leg..I heard rumors that some other country wanted him back some on eson thought it was a good idea did not pan out….Off the sports thing..
Davids wife belonged to a group called the Spice Girls .
Can we also say the Beatles or the 70’s or 80’s band Queen were from a little Islandin a country called England. Both still played today the later can here is a mainstay at sportings events..
Off to watch a cd of the tv Canadian Tv show “Slings and Arrows”(the title from shakesperian play whom was from Europe also)
In the sixties and seventies, british artists ruled US airwaves: The Beatles, Elton John, Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Queen, and the list goes on and on. Something happened around the nineties, when Europe went more pop and the US turned more towards grunge tock and country. After that, British artists never regained their clout on the US charts.
There are some great artists like Winehouse, James Morrison, Corrine Bailey Rae, Joss Stone, but they are not being promoted to mainstream top 40. They reside mainly on AAA radio. The only two that have hit it big recently are James Blunt and Coldplay.
Forgot to add my comment on Carly: I loved her and I’ll buy her record when it comes out. I like David Cook a lot, but I feel he’s in a bit of a bubble right now. I don’t know how good a real rock record from him would be. I’m not into the Daughtry brand of pop-rock and I fear he will be forced into that direction.
I wonder what record label will be willing to take a chance on Carly knowing her history. She may not consider this to be a second chance, but after having all the resources of a huge label available to her and failing so miserably, I can’t imagine anyone wanting to risk taking her on again, especially considering the state of the music industry today.
Sadly for her, I agree. Early in the season they pimped her, but then dropped her. I think she was just meant to be a controversy for them. I don’t think she was really one of the TCOs.
Leona is a mannequin. Insert cd, hit play. Sorry ! And no one has ever accused Simon of having any sense of music — he’s into marketing. Get makeover, dress up mannequin, wind mannequin up, it sings perfectly but it’s eyes never blink.
Carly was growing on me, just not fast enough. She’s quite rough around the edges — turned her arm/body into a lifelong coloring book. Hate that ! - sign of not thinking about the future (in another 15 years I think her fingers will be carrying the load and there will be a woman’s head smack dab on the top of her hand.)
I wonder about all the coloring that’s probably been done that we can’t see on camera — … 0!
She tried to reinvent herself but that never totally works.
I think you either have *it* or your don’t. You can soften the edges a bit but she needed more than that - she needed to find a way to connect with her audience and sadly, it just didn’t happen.
I think maybe a smaller label might give Carly a chance. When she had her first album fiasco she was only a teenager. She has matured, her voice is a lot better now IMO, and she does have somewhat of a built-in fanbase that may help her sell respectfully on a smaller scale.
I have been impressed with Carly’s exit interviews, she is having such a positive attitude about things. To me she seems like a cool person- I doubt MJ and David Cook would have been such good friends with her if she wasn’t.
I don’t know if they’ll hold her first deal against her since she was so young and only selling so few seems like the company did their share of bungling. I do think Simon was hard on her although would argue he’s hard on a lot of them including MJ. I think Carly could have answered a couple of the questions a little better but overall not a bad interview.