Syesha Mercado Elimination Interview

American Idol' Exit Q&A: Syesha Goes Home

How does it feel to get so close but not make it to the finals?
To me, I made it. I think anybody who is on the show, makes it. Success is different for every person. For me, this is very successful making it to the Top 3. I set a goal and I got there. I'm very, very happy, I'm at peace. Only great things can come from here on out.

Fox

When did you get the feeling that the finale was going to be the Davids?
After I got done performing, I was like, "It's over." I got too many bad comments from the judges to keep me there, and at this point in the game you can't have had too many bad comments to be [in the finals]. I made peace with it. I couldn't be happier right now. I don't feel defeated, I don't feel like I failed. I feel like there's only greatness from here on out.

Fox

What did you think when you got 'Hit Me Up' as the producers' song choice?
I told myself just sing. I think my nieces and nephews know that song because it was in 'Happy Feet' -- they watch it over and over and over again. It's not like I could change it, so I had to try to make the best of it. I'm like, "You know, what can I do to turn this into something positive, what can I do to make the best out of it?"

Fox

How did you deal with being in the bottom group week in and week out?
I never packed my bags. I didn't pack my bags because I didn't want to go home. If you want something, it's gonna happen. If you want to be Top 3, you'll be top three. If you want to win, you'll win. Whoever is going to win is going to be the most passionate. Whichever David is the most passionate, they are going to win. I just spoke to my family a lot and they really helped me stay strong.

Fox

What do you think is special about the two Davids?
David Archuleta has that beautiful smile and that really good connection with kids. David Cook -- girls go crazy over him and ... older women find him to be really, really charming. I feel like I'm a little sister and a big sister to both of the Davids. We've really had a chance to have an intimate relationship and ... that brotherly/sisterly love. This competition can go any way so I just wish them both the best of luck. It's all about what the voters want.

Fox

You've improved so much lately. Did you work at it or did it come with time?
I consider myself a hard worker and was always rehearsing and always trying to improve. When I first stepped into the competition ... I don't really feel that I was at my best potential because of the negative mind frame I was in. You know, like "Nobody sees who I am." But once I got over that, I became more comfortable with myself and the stage and the feeling of being overlooked completely subsided.

Fox

How has 'Idol' changed your life?
I don't even think we know what's in store for us. We had a taste of it when we went to Vegas and we had a bunch of people pulling on us, saying "Oh my gosh! I love you!" We've been in a bubble but I know it has changed a lot. I know there's going to be good and bad with that, but you have your family -- sometimes they understand and sometimes they don't -- and you have your friends.

Fox

Was your experience on 'The One' was an advantage for you going into 'Idol'?
All of us had advantages. A lot of us have had a lot of experience beforehand. I don't think it hurt me, I think it really let me know what's in store because it kind of was the same format but it had more reality. People got to see much more of my personality. With 'American Idol,' it's not so much reality behind the scenes, it's more about ... what you see on stage.

Fox

How did your dad's struggles shape you?
It made me the strong person that I am. Having my dad struggle through [addiction], it 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 won't let this determine what my future is going to be and I'm going to help my dad. I'm going to do something that is going to make him proud. 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.

Fox

What are your plans after 'Idol'?
I tell people that I want to do everything. I'm really goal-oriented and I know whichever goal I set, I can accomplish. I want to make an album. I want to star in a film. I want to do Broadway. I want to open up a organic restaurant. I want to start a foundation. It just depends on what comes first.

Fox