Syesha Mercado fought hard to stay in the race. Despite seeming to always end up in the bottom, she didn’t let it break her optimism. She kept plugging away, until her strong will and work ethic were no match for TPTB who were determined to have a David and David finale. Syehsa sure gave them a run for their money, and I would imagine, a little scare.
Check out excerpts from her exit interviews with the press yesterday, after the JUMP…
Sources: USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, EOnline
- How did her Dad’s struggles with drugs and alcohol shape her as a person? “Well, the struggles that we go through, I’ve always seen it as something that can either make you or break you. For me, it made the strong, sincere, humble person that I am. Having my dad struggle through that really made me sad a lot of my life, but it actually made me understand people more and be more forgiving. I told myself that I’m not going to let this determine my future, that I’m going to do something good. I’m going to help my dad and encourage him and be there for him. I’m going to make him proud so he makes me proud. And that’s what’s happening now — he sees me doing something good and it’s really motivating him to stay sober and clean. It’s a beautiful story to tell. One day I’ll tell it, maybe in a book.”
- Who is she as an artist? “I’m a mix of a lot of things. I think that’s why people are like, “Oh she’s Broadway,” because they see me doing some Broadway singing. I’m just like a black Christina Aguilera/Alicia Keys. I definitely see myself (as something of a combination of) a Christina Aguilera album, the one she just recently did, and an Alicia Keys album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. I like pop and R&B and the new school/old school thing. I’m growing as an artist, I’m evolving, and I’m glad that I did do American Idol because people were able to see that transition that I went through, and I’m still learning about myself every day. I think that’s the beauty of doing this competition. You learn so much. People will know who I am. You’ll know who I am, once I put out that album.”
- On choosing the song “Fever”, “Everything happens for a reason. There were a couple of songs I had my heart set on that were songs I felt from the heart. I felt if I had sung those songs I would have touched a lot of people and changed people’s opinions of what I could do. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to do them.”
- Which songs were those? “I’ve been told not to say. But the song I most enjoyed was ‘If I Ain’t Got You.’”
- About the producer’s choice song, “I knew I had to do the song they gave me. I didn’t feel it was as recognizable to the older public. My nieces and nephews love that song and their ages range from 2 to 6. They’re not really the people who are voting. Maybe it did put me at a disadvantage. I never really thought about it like that.”
- Behind the scenes with the boys, “As the competition went on and there were fewer people, it became different. In the beginning it was all fun and games, and then it got serious and our relationships became more intimate. I felt like I was their sister. Someone was always saying, ”Can you tap David on the shoulder for me?” and I felt like I had to go get my brother to sign someone’s autograph.”
- About her Style “In the beginning I was having a hard time with my stylist. Some things I wore I wasn’t very happy with, but it got better over the weeks. It helped me when I was on stage to have a look that was different from normal Syesha, which is jeans and sneakers. I wanted something that made me feel like a star. But the hair was a long process. That’s the one thing the boys never had to go through. It took so long.”
- She didn’t necessarily think it was going to be a David/David finale, “I heard rumors that it was going to be a David-Syesha finale. I was thinking it was going to be a miraculous change in voting, that little girls stopped voting for David Archuleta and a cloud of votes came in for me. But I had a feeling I was going home, especially after the bad commentary I got for two of the songs I did. At this point in the game there couldn’t be any harsh comments. I’m at peace with everything I’ve done, though. I learned a lot.”
- About her experience on The One “I think all of us had advantages. A lot of us had a lot of experience beforehand. I don’t think it hurt me. It really let me know what’s in store, because it kind of was the same format but more reality. So people got to see my personality. With American Idol it’s not as much reality behind the scenes, but more about the hour show and being on stage, and a lot of my songs weren’t showing who I really was. I think it definitely prepared me a lot for this show.”
- What’s special about the two Davids? “Of course, they are unique. David Archuleta has the beautiful smile and really good connection with kids, the younger audience, and David Cook has that connection with the younger audience, the girls go crazy over him, and the older audience too, because he’s really charming. I feel like I’m a little sister and a big sister to both the Davids. Once everybody was gone, we really had a chance to have a really more intimate relationship. Just have fun and kind of that brotherly/sisterly love. And people would be like, “Oh my gosh, I love you so much. Syesha, Syesha, could you tap David on the shoulder for me?” And I’m like, “Ooookay. Sure, guys.” (chuckles) So it was that kind of relationship. This competition could go any way. I just wish them both the best of luck, and it’s all about what the voters want.”
- What Broadway musicals would she like to do? “Once on This Island, The Color Purple, Aida, Chicago, whatever. I love musical theater. I love regular music too. I’m not just Broadway. I love so many things but given the opportunity to do a Broadway musical, I’d do Once on This Island. I played it twice during high school and I would love to do it on Broadway. If they have to make my skin dark, I’m all for it.”
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I think she’d make a good Shug Avery in the Color Purple movie. Make it happen, Oprah!
Syesha will be o.k. She has a wonderful career ahead of her!
I’ve already hear rumors that she was approached during the competition to play Dorothy in a Broadway revival of “The Wiz.”
I didn’t think Syesha was the best female on the show but she is talented girl with a very flexible voice.
I did find it interesting that all of her song choices couldn’t be cleared which makes me understand why she did Fever when she could have done something else.
So Syesha correctly assumed young women are the one demographic among voters where she had the most room for growth.
And her song coice this week is a rather vampish version of ‘Fever?’
I’ll never be able to figure that one out.
She made a lot of clever strategic decisions during AI7, but that selection wasn’t one of them.
I’m curious what they wouldn’t let her sing and why she’s been asked not to publicize that. Seems very odd to me.
Its got to be somewhat deflating when you’re in a crowd signing autographs and some fan asks if you would tap one of the guys on the shoulder so they could have, not yours, but their autograph.
There’s a Broadway revival of the Wiz? I’m not well versed in the ways of Broadway - has that been a broadway show before? Or was it just a crappy movie? That being said, I think she’d be great in that role. To me, Diana Ross as an actress is the epitome of over-rated, so I’m going to assume Syesha will be better.
SpenserJ, have you ever seen Lady Sings The Blues? Might change your idea of Diana Ross as an actress. IHMO she was always a better actress,the Wiz nothwithstanding. She also did some stellar made for TV movies when they were the rage. The Wiz was a stage show before it was a movie. Launched the career of Stephanie Mills.
J.S.G., I am befuddled by her choice of Fever. It deflated me, and made me throw all my votes to Archie, as the overtly sexual vamping bugged me. Now it sorta makes me wonder how firm any of their choices were.
Tinawina, that would be freaking incredible, they would have to age her though cause Shug is older than Celie, and even though she may be older than Fantasia, she doesn’t look it.
I say Chicago should be calling her. For everyone who said she was just another in a long line of divas, I think the idol stage has never seen one so well rounded. She’s got the pipes, she’s beautiful, she’s versatile, and she’s an actress. I am curious to see how far she can take this. Nothing would surprise me.
She would do well in the Wiz….but I think it’s better to do something more standard vs. a revival, like Chicago. She will get the call after the tour.
No, I haven’t seen that. I think really what it is is that I thoroughly hate Diana Ross. I have no rational reason for this either - she just rubs me the wrong way in general.
Thank you very much for the answer to my question, and the interesting factoid. I find Stephanie Mills to be a far better singer than Diana Ross. In fact, I find Syesha to be a far better singer than Diana Ross.
SpenserJ you are more than welcome. I am a font of useless information and pop trivia. LOL! Stepanie Mills is the bomb. Totally underated in my view, but that’s another story for another day. Goes back to the making of a popstar video once talked about on this blog. Syesha has a possibility to make it because she has some of those qualities that other have to contrive.
FWIW, Spenser, I completely agree with abbysee about Lady Sings The Blues. It is an astonishing performance by Diana Ross but also Richard Pryor and Billy Dee Williams. She was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe. I never thought she was much of an actress either until I saw it and she really blew me away. If you’re interested, I think you’d be surprised!
I hope Syesha gets every opportunity she wants. She has come a long way and persevered through some tough times. I admire her tenacity and enjoy her voice.
If it’s true Syesha is considered for Wiz revival, this does not look good for Idol, which is supposed to find the next “pop” idol. All their winners and runners up are going to Broadway. They’re not turning out pop singers (ala Leona Lewis). So it’s going to be super expected that 19E produce a bona fide “star” or the show is worthless.
I am perplexed why being a star on Broadway is bad. Most actors/singers on Broadway have dreamed about it their whole life. Broadway is good, Broadway is success!!!!!~!!~!!!! I am really really mad. Is Matthew Broadrick a failure?
Well since Syesha DIDN’T WIN its not expected of her to be a Pop Star. Hope she does well on Broadway if that is what SHE wants.
Performers always say that broadway is a challenge and one that they desire to have accomplished. It is a good thing……I think. The public loves to be entertained.
Funny how TBPB makes a killing off these kids from using their talents to promote a top-ranked television show.
Yet the contestants are obviously given little if any training in dealing with the deluge of media appearances that follows elimination, thereby damaging their own marketability.
And in Syesha’s case, promoting an image of an arrtist who is wildly confident and so driven that she wants to win very award on top of opening an organic restauarant and saving the children may work.
But please, enough with the third person references.
The course TBPB should be offering these kids as they leave the bubble is: Humility Works 101.
There’s nothing wrong with Broadway, but only recently have AI been approached about their contestants doing Broadway. I think it started in S4 when Broadway producers came calling. Which is good for the contestants, because what else do they have? People seem to forget as Michael J stated, the record business is in disarray. These kids are “performers” and singers, so they get what they can….they need to keep their name out there.
Am I the only person who, after reading these reviews, FINALLY understood why exactly I was never moved to vote for Syesha?
Her sheer ARROGANCE came through in droves. DROVES. Especially in the EW article. Geez, woman– show a little humility, some humor, don’t take yourself SO seriously.
And people say DC is smug! Comparing this to DC’s article in Rolling Stone made that comparison perfectly clear.