Ramiele Malubay 'American Idol' Interview
Were you surprised by your elimination?
I felt like I was going home -- not to be negative, because I'm not that kind of person. I just felt it a lot more when Dolly [Parton] sang. And I was praying while she was singing. But it's OK. All of us have to leave sometime, there's only one winner.
You started out strong. Did nerves get to you?
[The first week] people were telling me, "You did really well," and I'm like, "Did I?" I let that get to my head. Sometimes you just over think it. You should never second guess yourself, you should always go with your first instinct. I was also terrified of that humongous stage. But now I'm going to be on tour and I'm going to have to be on a lot of humongous stages.
You wanted to be the first Asian-American to win 'Idol.' Did that add to the pressure?
A little bit. I was like, "I have to do really well, not only for myself, not only for my parents but for people of the same race and the people supporting me." And I got as far as I could and I hope no one's disappointed in me.
Do you feel like <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/simon-cowell/329871' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Simon Cowell</font></a> was too mean?
Oh Simon likes me, I know he does [laughs]. He's a really nice guy. Backstage, when I left the show, he came and he's like, "Oh, cry on my shoulder." He was just telling me you know, "It was song choice, it was song choice." And I really do believe, he says the things he says -- -sometimes he overdoes it probably, you know it's TV -- because he just wants us to be better.
Will you try to follow <a href='http://music.aol.com/artist/jasmine-trias/735781/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Jasmine Trias'</font></a> path and seek stardom in your native Phillipines?
That's home to me and I wanted to see what I could do over there. I'm pretty sure I might have [success] over there, following in her footsteps. She left a lot for me to follow so I'm really grateful to her for being the first Philippino 'American Idol' on the show and doing big things.
What did you say to <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kristy-lee-cook/564995' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Kristy Lee</font></a> and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/brooke-white/564873' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Brooke</font></a> while you were in the bottom three?
We were just hugging each other. We're roommates, along with Syesha. We were just talking to each other; Brooke was like, "I love you guys no matter what happens." And Kristy was like, "I'm here again. I love you guys." I kind of knew it was me when Brooke went to go sit down.
Being so short, does everyone treat you like a kid? Have you thought about wearing heels?
Yeah. I'm older than [David] Archuleta and he walks by me all the time and pats me on the head, like I'm his little sister. I just hate wearing heels. If I don't really need to, I won't.
When are you and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/danny-noriega/564980' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Danny Noriega</font></a> becoming roommates? Will you do sing together?
I'm not sure yet when we're going to move in together, because of the tour. We're really close -- still talk to him every single day. I mean you don't really get to share this kind of experience with just anybody. We clicked and we just want to be there for each other. Me and Danny will do a duet regardless!
What's next for you?
I 'm staying in L.A. for a while and I'm going to try to pursue something here. And if that doesn't work, I'm definitely going back to school for nursing. I also wanted to try acting.
