Chikezie Eze 'American Idol' Interview

How did you feel about your elimination?

I was glad that none of the other guys had to go home. Honestly, I was. Because that's probably the hardest part of the show -- saying goodbye to your friends. Things couldn't have gone better.I didn't have to say goodbye to anybody and honestly they didn't have to say goodbye to me either, because they'll be seeing me again on tour.

You and David C. took risks on song choice. Did you think about the judges' reactions?

I had absolutely no clue how the judges would feel about it and I think that's why I did it. If I had knew how they would respond, then it wouldn't be as much fun. I already knew that Simon wasn't going to feel it, no matter what. I came in knowing that and I did the song anyway. I just had to do what I thought was right and what I felt represented me.

You sang ballads despite getting discouraged from doing so. Why?

It's kind of like ... running on a diving board. You know the diving board is eventually going to end, so you run even faster, you know? That's the way I looked at it, because I knew that [the judges] -- at least Simon -- wouldn't like it. So it took a lot of the pressure off because then I didn't have that to worry about, and I was just performing for the sake of performing.

You always had a smile on your face. Were you really that happy?

I tend to wear my emotions on my face most of the time, so if I'm nervous you can usually tell. I'd probably be sweating without doing any kind of work [laughs]. I tend to be happy because I feel so blessed to be in the position, to have had this opportunity -- really really blessed.

Why did you drop your last name?

My last name is "Eze" [eh-zeh] actually, and I dropped it for that exact reason -- because it was constantly mispronounced.

Which upcoming mentor were you most excited to work with?

It would have to be Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber ... because I respect his body of work so very much. When you've created a masterpiece like 'Jesus Christ Superstar' -- what an honor. That would have been great to be able to meet him and perform his songs for him.

You wanted to do well on 'Idol' to pay your parents back. Mission accomplished?

I won't feel like I've fulfilled it until a time comes when my parents no longer have to work, no longer feel like they have to get out of bed and drive off to work in the morning. When they no longer have to do that, then I know my job is done.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I would like to see myself getting at least one Grammy [laughs] that's for starters. I really want to get started with my music career -- start making music that makes me feel good and hopefully makes others feel good. Also, acting. Who knows, why not? Why not try everything? I'm the type of person that I like to see what I can do, see what my boundaries are. I'm always testing myself to see what I can accomplish.