TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

'American Idol' Season Six Exit Interviews:
Chris Richardson and Phil Stacey

The day after the 'American Idol' hopefuls are voted off the show, they're talking to us. Check back each week for excerpts of press interviews with eliminated contestants. Plus, check out our 'American Idol' full coverage for news, recaps, photos, rumors and more.


Chris Richardson
Eliminated: May 2
Age: 22
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.

Phil Stacey
Eliminated: May 2
Age: 29
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.

Chris, do you think your back and forth with Simon about the nasally singing might have turned off some of your fans?
Chris: Who knows? But at least at the end of it, I got to say what I wanted to say that night, and that was about the Virginia Tech thing. So despite what happened, it was just odd timing. It might have, it might not have [cost me votes].

Were there any performances where the comments from the judges surprised you?
Phil: My big surprise came during country week. I'm more in my comfort zone in country music, but I'd grown so accustomed to getting critical feedback. So when Randy was like, "Dude, you were good this week," I was like, "Really?! Sweet!"
Chris: In the earlier round, I didn't think that 'Geek in the Pink' would go over too well. But they seemed to really love it. I'm glad I did that now.

Chris, are you single? Are the rumors about you and Lauren Conrad true?
Chris: I just got out of a three-and-a-half year relationship back home. All the other rumors are just rumors. Those people are just acquaintances. Other than that, I'm single. But I still respect the fact that I just got out of a relationship with my girlfriend.

Who do you think is the front-runner now?
Phil: I think the four people that are left have individual strengths that set them apart. I think Blake is most likely the most original contestant ever on 'American Idol.' Melinda is possibly the greatest singer I've ever heard on the show. Lakisha sings with so much passion that it's hard to listen to her and not get chills. And Jordin has a range that lasts for days, and her upper-notes just have so much power behind them. Honestly, I think it's anybody's ball game at this point.

Phil, will you be able to tour this summer, or do you have to return to the Navy?
Phil: My primary responsibility is to the United States Navy. The possibility exists that they'll need me for a mission, and if that's the case, I'm committed to following it through. So far, they've been 100 percent flexible and a huge support base for me.

If they tell you that you can't go, how hard will it be for you?
Phil: The last that I spoke to my commanding officer, things looked very promising that I'd be able to go on the tour. I'm not really worried about it at this point. But it would break my heart to not be able to go. But I've got a duty and what's important is that I fulfill my responsibility to the Navy.

Phil, why did you decide on the bald look?
Phil: I think it worked for me because it was unique. It wasn't something anyone else had this particular season. If I was on last year and it was me and Chris Daughtry being the bald guy, I don't know that it would have gone so well for me. (Laughs)

Chris, what were you and Blake saying to each other while you waited for the results?
Chris: We were singing a song that we had written that we used to laugh and joke about. And I was telling him to just go ahead and sit down. I knew I was going home and he was staying.

How was it that you and Blake ended up becoming so close?
Chris: It started during Hollywood Week. It's just one of those things were you just sort of click with somebody, and me and him had a lot in common -- music tastes, personality traits and loyalty to friendships. We just bonded.

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