The 29-year-old church music director from Milwaukee, Wisc., who lost his wife Sophia to congenital heart disease just nine months ago, spoke to reporters this morning about that infamous 'Dream' scream, his take on Adam Lambert and Kris Allen and his plans for a music industry movement.
Allison Iraheta Idol' Elimination Q&A
1. Were you prepared to go home?
You know what? I don't know how to say this because it was weird. I've been in the bottom three so many times, and I was just really prepared for anything. Everyone was prepared, and when it was down to me an Danny, I was like "Well, it's either him or me," and it was me. I'm pretty happy I made it that far and I'm glad that I got the opportunity to be on that stage.
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2. Your farewell performance was so heartfelt. What was going through your mind?
it was funny because I was crying and I was singing a song called 'Cry Baby' [laughs] ... It felt so different because ... it was like, "All right, you know, they're not gonna judge me on this, so I'm just gonna do whatever and I'm gonna give it my all." I just really felt it and I went up to the judges and I was singing to them. I just felt really great about it and I felt like this is my last time on here, so I better just give it my all and leave on a good note hopefully.
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3. How did you react when Simon said you had no personality?
Every week, [he said that] I'm boring and I have no personality, and I'm like, "Uh, OK Simon." I'm really not the kind of person that talks back, you know? But that show he [said], "Start begging," I was like, "You know what? That's it!" [laughs] So I really just felt it was the perfect time to stand up for myself. I'm not boring, first of all, and you say I don't talk and I said, "Well, I might as well just talk" [laughs].
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4. Did the comments about your fashion choices bother you?
It did. It sort of did. I was like, "Come on, I'm singing here!" But I think overall, they all look for what you're gonna do as a selling artist, and I know there were a lot of risks I did in the dressing and all that. But hey, I had fun with it, so I think that's what mattered.
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5. How did you and Adam decide what to sing for your duet?
We thought about doing a duet since awhile now, I think. 'Slow Ride' was on the list, and we're like "That sounds fun. We should really do that." And then he had originally told me about his friend ... that has done his hair for like, two years, and I was like, "She does his hair really well, so I need to go to her." And then she hooked me up, and we really had fun -- it was great. And we're even planning on doing that song on the tour.
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6. Were you excited to work with mentor Slash?
You have no idea. When I heard it was Slash, I was like, "Oh my gosh! Jesus, I can't wait to meet him!" He's so awesome. I've been a fan for so long, and it's insane that I got to sing while he was playing for us, and it just such a great opportunity. I think he was one of the best mentors we've had, hands down, and we were just so happy he took time out of his schedule to just come to the show and help us out.
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7. Were you all shaken up by the accident that injured the show's stage manager this week?
We didn't know how to react because it was rehearsal and it was a great friend of ours -- she's a stage manager, Debbie [Williams]. We heard that she was doing fine ... but I think during each of our performances, we probably started off a little shaky, but then I think we all just got into place and continued on what we were supposed to do.
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8. Did the guys treat you like a little sister?
Oh, yeah. It was so fun. They would pick on me ... say we're having a little argument and I'd be like "Yeah!" They're like, "You stay out of this! You're only 12 years old!" I'm like "Aww!" [laughs] It's love, you know? It was like a family ... we all got along so well. And they would really stand up for me. And the cool thing is that they would help me with song choice ... it was great.
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9. What's your take on the four-judge panel?
Change is good, and I love Kara and it's awesome that they changed it up. You don't want to be stuck seeing the same thing, right? So I think it's pretty cool that they bring something different to the table.
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10. Who should your fans vote for?
They gotta vote for whoever they think is awesome. It's so crazy, this competition, because everyone is so different, so if you find someone that's awesome, that you like and can totally connect to, you go for it and vote for them because ... they're gonna be the next 'American Idol' and they're gonna be great. Everyone else that has been on the show has been great and we've been different, so whoever they feel just connects with them.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 32)
It was time for Danny to go. He was just the same week after week. And the scream finished him off, I think. He was a class act after that though. So cute to make fun of himself and laugh at himself the way he did. Adam is too broadway-would never by his cd just to listen to. Would go to his Broadway show any day of the week however-he will so successful in that venue. KRIS IS THE BOMB-so creative-songwriter, guitarist, pianist; listen to him on youtube and you'll see for yourself. Can't wait to buy his cd. He has a great voice that is pleasant to listen to. He was different every week. He's not flashy and tween's love the flash-so we all need to vote for him-for KRIS- leave ADAM to Broadway-
By the end of this year, only 2 names will be remembered from this Idol season, Danny Gokey & Adam Lambert. They will definitely huge land recording contracts and become legends.
Kris Allen is definitely talented, no doubt, but is NOT Star Quality!
Each of these 3 will have their own individual 'niche' audiences,
but Adam Lambert will not only become America's New Rock Star,
he will, I predict, will become a Music Producer and will be a Movie Star as well.
Where Danny Gokey will enjoy Fame & Fortune as David Cook;
and Kris Allen will end up hosting the Muppet Show, with Mr. Green Jeans. Remeber You heard it here first ....
YOU"RE RIGHT - ADAM SHOULD GO TO BROADWAY...
BUT COMPARED TO DANNY---KRIS IS AN AMATEUR!!!
I didn't vote - but I believe Kris is the best talent. He not only sings, he plays the guitar & the piano. I can see him writing songs in the future. Adam has great showmanship & he can sing - but Kris is truly more talented!!
Sorry, Chirs doesn't belong in the final two. He has no range and can't carry the high notes. His voice is one dimensional, no depth. He's a skinny little nothing as far as I am concerned. All the little teeny boppers who voted for him must be tone deaf! Adam sings so effortlessly, have you ever tried to hit the notes he hits? No matter what his private life is, he has always been in a different league the entire show. How Chris made it this far is a mystery to me and my realatives who are in the music business. If Adam loses it will be a felony!
"Sorry, Chirs doesn't belong in the final two. He has no range and can't carry the high notes. His voice is one dimensional, no depth. He's a skinny little nothing as far as I am concerned. All the little teeny boppers who voted for him must be tone deaf! How Chris made it this far is a mystery to me and my realatives who are in the music business."
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So, saying your relatives are in the music business somehow validates your opinion of Kris? If that's what your relatives think of Kris, then their involvement in the "music business" must be limited to selling used records at the flea market.
Adam is a great singer, however HE is more "one-dimensional" than Kris. Kris doesn't have the range that Adam has, but Kris is much more artistic. His voice is smoother, softer, and more melodic than Adam's.
Kris is also multi-faceted and his rewrites of popular songs are incredible. I hated that song by Kanye West when Kanye first "performed" it on Idol....since Kris purified it with just vocals and an acoustic guitar, I thought it was brilliant.
Trust me....I have more professional experience "in the business" than all your relatives combined. Kris is an amazing talent and he will go far because he impresses us musicians just as much as those teeny boppers. He may not impress the used record sellers at the flea market, but no one takes their opinions seriously anyway.
my friend was crying because of that
I so agree with you. Kris has been my favorite from day one. He is what American Idol is suppose to be. Talented, creative, artistic and most of all, show a different side of yourself each and every week. I didn't think he would make it to the finals. I thought the judges pushed Adam and Danny to the semi-finals and forgot about the dark horse known as Kris.
I don't know why the one week Danny screamed, he received the "Scream-On" badge, when each and every week that is exactly what Adam does - SCREAM. The judges call it high notes, I call it screaming. I lower the volume on my TV when he is on so my "neighborhood watch" people don't call the police. I am so happy the American Idol voters, once again, show the judges we know what we are doing. Let's do it and vote again for the true American Idol of this season - KRIS!
WHAT EVER DUDE ! ADAM IS A ROCK STAR ! YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR EARS OUT!
It was a big mistake voting Danny off. It is extremely talented and has a great future. Adam has pretty much had a recording contact since day one of the show. As for kris, there is no way he should even be in the final two. He is nowhere near as talented as Danny. While he sings well he is no different that what you will find in the thousands of karaoke bars. No creativity! He should have been eliminated instead of Danny.