Here are more quotes from yesterday’s press conference with Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey.
Sounds like the kids who make the Top 12 won’t be going home in the mean time. Both Alexis and Michael hint that we’ll be seeing more of them in the coming weeks…
Alexis Grace:
- Would you say your style is like Amy Winehouse and Duffy? I sing more like blues kind of stuff. More like blues, some Joss Stone, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s where I come out.
- Do you perform at home? I do the bar scene, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what I do back home.
- How did you pick your song? From my hometown, Memphis, you hear blues all the time. My mom and dad listen to soul; my dad plays it. When you grow up listening to it all the time, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what you end up singing like.
- How did it feel to have your family there? My dad and his girlfriend were there. I loved having him there. My dad and I are in a band together back home. So it was like having my band member there, so the support was nice. I knew my dad was so proud of me. It was an amazing moment and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll never forget it.
- They teased everything with Tatiana à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ what was your experience with her? Honestly, Tatiana and I never really talked a whole bunch just because I kind of kept to myself a bit. But I can tell you that that girl is determined and sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gonna be something [some] day. She is hilarious.
- Does your daughter understand what you’re doing on “Idol”? I would hope that she’d understand. That would be really cool if she did. But I know she watches the show with all my family, and when I come on the TV, she points at it and screams for me: “Mommy!” She might figure something out soon.
Sources:Â LA Times, MTV, People
Michael Sarver and Danny Gokey after the jump…
Michael Sarver:
- When did you get into music? Began in my life when things were really tough. I resorted to music. Music made everything made sense to me. Then I started singing and realized thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s something there. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d hear compliments from my mom when I sang around the house. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been a huge part of my development as an artist.
- Have you performed in bars or clubs? MS: Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve performed in arenas and civic centers, not bars or clubs. Different youth conventions, concerts also.
- What are you doing during the break? A lot of what weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be doing is what weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re doing right now. Theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re rehearsals. Theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll keep us busy. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s plenty for us to do. You guys will be treated to some. They got plans for us way ahead of time.
- Talk about the roughneck biz. Theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re feeling the hit. A lot of people Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve heard have been laid off. There are hiring freezes in the oil field…. These guys live off what theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re bringing home every month. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s tough.
- What was their response to you trying out for “American Idol”? Some were positive. Some were, yeah right. One person, who I won’t say his name, he looked me in the eye and said “I heard you want to be a singer. Let me tell you something, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll never happen.” Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll tell ya, no matter what people tell you, you keep trying, you keep trucking and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll work out.
- What did you think about the judges saying you’d “lost your soul”? I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t feel they were trying to portray I had lost something so much as telling me not to step away from it. I took it as a compliment rather than a criticism. That means they saw something in me that set a higher standard. Stepping up for me would just continue to be who I am. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not ashamed of the song I sang at all. I stand [by] my decision to sing it. The words mean a lot to me and I know theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll probably mean a lot to a lot of other people. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll probably begin to flirt with my roots more, which is a lot of B&B and soul.
Danny Gokey:
- Why did you pick “Heard it Through the Grapevine” to sing for your audition? It showed my range. It was a fun song. The No. 1 thing is that it showed my ability. That was the whole point singing that song.
- Were you wearing different eyeglasses last night? Yeah, I hadnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t worn them on the show. I actually have a couple of more pairs that I want to wear, but they havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been approved because they have logos on them. Hopefully that works out because I love wearing different kind of glasses.
- I wanted to know how you feel about the reaction Jamar has gotten? As you can see from the show, I was mad [when he got eliminated]. I had a pretty upset look on my face. I expected him to go through. I even said “Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll see you in the top 36″ when we were talking. I was so confident that he showed his ability. Disappointment was completely in my heart and mind. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s received such recognition, though, I know heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to be fine. It only gets better for him from here.
- How is it not having Jamar there with you? I hope people take this the right way à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ at this point in the game, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s easier. I feel more emotionally stable. I wanted him to be here, but I’m so thankful he was in Hollywood. Hollywood was very tough for me. I was miserable inside. Only he knew that because I poured my heart out to him.
- Tatiana was next to you during the results show. Was it hard to stay composed? With Tatiana, you expect the unexpected. But she really is a great person. I mean she wants it so bad and you see the desire and passion in her. At times it can maybe hurt her image on TV…. With me, I looked calm and cool, but on the inside, I felt kind of like a wreck. I hope that it doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t come off that way to the viewers. My whole thought process was I was preparing myself to go home. Tatiana showed up that night when she sang. She had the surprise element. I was saying to myself, “Well, I got my message across.” I wanted to go out gracefully.
- They showed a photo of your wife last night. Do you keep a memento of her when you perform? Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in my heart and you can never take that away. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t hang on to charms or mementos. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s so ingrained in my heart and mind, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a part of who I am.
I also did download Rickey’s performance and hope Idol see that he is worth a second look.
And I still hope that Paula mentioned his name earlier is an indication that they have him on the list.
Jodeb, count me in as one who thought Ricky was the top vocal of the night. Contrary to what usually happens, I found myself comparing all the others to him throughout the night as opposed to forgetting about him because he was #2 in singing order. I really can’t imagine him not winning a Wild Card spot, but you just never know on this show. He’s a bit shy, but that’s what I enjoy about this show….watching the underdog transform into a confident star before our eyes. I hope Ricky gets that opportunity because he’s more than earned it!
Ricky definitely needs to be in the top 12. :thumbup_tb:
That Rickey gave the first or second best performance Tues and yet didn’t get as many votes as Michael, Danny and Anoop proves Simon’s point.
Rickey does lack the star power. Whether it is his look, the way he dresses or his manner of singing, who knows? That great performance simply did not translate into votes.
So Rickey is the first victim of the revised format, which is a shame because there is a real sense of decency about him.
Butt if there is a wildccard among the discards Tuesday night, my choice would be Anoop based up vocal ability and potential star power.
Then Stephen Fowler.
Then Rickey.
Contestants are getting more and more savy with their own personal backstories. They have watched enough American Idol to know that the best way to get screen time (if you don’t have a killer voice and good performing skills) is to highlight a personal tragedy on their application. You can’t tell me that during the initial cattle call a 20 second sing wins you a spot to audition in front of the judges without their being something that sets you apart from the rest. Jordin tried out in two different cities and it wasn’t until she had “Arizona Idol” on her resume that she got through.
That being said, it is what the contestant does about their own personal back story, once they have gotten past the judges, that counts. When they do the sound bites, or the on camera bits it’s how they present themselves. If they “play” into the producers hands by providing too much personal information they should be ready for the consequences.
Personally I find it sad that the voting audience is so easily manipulated and can’t see between the hype and the true talent of an individual. To this point I haven’t seen anyone, on the show itself (Youtube videos aside) that have shown themselves to be anyone that would make me want to buy a CD. Hopefully, some real talent will imerge down the line.
I don’t think Ricky has any less star quality than Danny and Michael. Those two are some of the blandest finalists ever, imo. Michael has all the star quality of Matt Rogers and Danny reaches for his cheeseburger and points. If they had shown one good Hollywood performance from Ricky, it might have been enough.
I think Ricky might be called back for the WC, but I don’t think he’ll make it through. I think the judges might use the WC to make the gender balance a little more even (i.e., if America votes in 6 guys and 3 girls, they’ll add 1 guy and two girls) or add a little ethnic diversity to the group. I think Anoop will get a WC spot unless he blows it.
Well, that says it all really..
I hate to keep asking but…. someone tell one more time… Once the top 3 are selected from each group of 12, how exactly does this wildcard thing work. Sorry to be dense.
That idolatry episode was HILARIOUS!
Lu, I’ll explain the best I can based on an article that was in another thread. I had wondered this myself. I think the problem may be that nothing clear has bee stated yet.
It seems that the next highest voted getter for each 12 (ie. Anoop(?)) will come back for the wild card. In addition, the judges will choose additional ones to come back. IIRC the article said there can be up to 9 or 10 in the WC round.
I hope this helps and maybe someone else has more clarity on it.
Actually, I DID have that reaction after sassy little Alexis sang. I enjoyed it that much, maybe b/c my expectations for others were so high and I was mostly disappointed.
OK, we know that AI went to Danny and Michael’s churches this weekend – so we get the promotion of the wholesome Christian values guy(s). Having Adam in the TOP 12 may shake up some of the Christian values voters to rally against an openly gay contestant. Maybe even more than one? More open-minded fans will rally for their guy.
Does anyone remember the drama Mandisa set up the week she left? The boards were buzzing. New posters came aboard on all blogs. DRAMA!
Maybe after all this, Alexis emerges as a Final Two contestant?
^^^ I hope someone will give me their view on my theory of manipulation.
Aretha revealed in the Detroit Free Press that she does watch American Idol.
I read that Simon paid the mortgage for Fantasia’s house.
I have no problem with Alexis saying she missed her little girl. AI often does an editting on interview comments.
Is Adam openly gay? Cool. Where have i been?