TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

'American Idol' Season Six Exit Interviews

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.







Antonella Barba
Eliminated: March 8
Age: 20
Hometown: Point Pleasant, N.J.

Do you have any regrets?
I think that out of 103,000 [auditioners], I'm proud of making the top 16. I'm happy I got this far.

How hard was it to deal with the photo controversy that erupted during the show?
It was difficult. It wasn't how I intended things to go. I tried to block it out as much as possible and stay focused on the competition because I'm here to sing, and all that other stuff was completely irrelevant.

But like the saying goes, "There's no such thing as bad publicity."
I keep getting told that. People try to make me feel better. Yes, it's true that my name is more well-known because of it. But I'm not known for the things that I want to be known for right now. I wanted to make a name for myself in singing. I wasn't trying to promote myself in any way that has been made apparent.

What did you think about it?
The pictures that have been released of me -- the ones that actually are me -- they are very personal, and that is not how I intended to portray myself, nor do I intend to portray myself in the future. I'd rather promote myself in a more classy way. Again, that was personal, that was private, that was not for the public eye.

What did the producers say?
Nigel [Lythgoe] just tried to keep me focused on the competition and told me to ignore the other stuff because it's irrelevant. That's not what I'm about. I'm about singing.

What have you learned from it?
I've learned to just be careful whom you trust.

There are rumors that Playboy magazine may ask you to pose for them. Would you ever do it?
No

Never?
Right now, I just want to look at all the offers I get and sort out what's best for me.



Sundance Head
Eliminated: March 8
Age: 28
Hometown: Porter, Texas

You are so talented. Why weren't you noticed before?
I had sung many times before and had shopped for record deals. But they would look at my promo pack, see the picture of me and not even listen to the music. The American music industry just won't hire a fat artist.

Why do you think you were voted off?
I'm not real sure what happened. I don't know if America considered me to be safe. I really just don't know. I thought I was going to the Top 12.

Any regrets?
I wish that I had sung something other than 'Nights in White Satin' the first time out. I picked it because it was slow and melodic, and I was a little paranoid because I had forgotten my lyrics during the Hollywood Round. I thought I did a good job on the Pearl Jam song. And I thought I was going to get better and better.

How did you feel at that moment Ryan told you that you were voted off?
I was extremely disappointed, and I was even angry. I've been riding this roller coaster for months now. It's like going 80 mph in a Ferrari and hitting a brick wall. I can understand if I was sucking or whatever. But emotionally, I had no shields for this.

Who were you most looking forward to working with?
Definitey Bono: Even if I wasn't going to have the chance to work with him, just to be in the same room with that guy. He's an icon -- a rock 'n' roll god.

What do you think about Sanjaya?
He's a young kid. This is the second week someone good has gone home on his part. He's got a good talent. He needs to learn about himself and get confidence in his vocals, and I think he'll go far.

How much do you think looks and popularity play into the outcome?
It's definitely a popularity contest. You can throw talent out the window after you get past the first audition.

Did you think performing 'Jeremy' was a risk?
I did, but Simon said if we're not taking risks it's pointless to be there. I think I did that song well. Pearl Jam had never cleared a song for 'American Idol' before. I made that decision, and I still feel good about it. I do know that I was the No. 1 voted male for the last two weeks, so I don't know what happened this week.



Sabrina Sloan
Eliminated: March 8
Age: 27
Hometown: Studio City, Calif.

What was going through your mind when you were voted off? America was shocked.
I was shocked too. I was definitely surprised and definitely hadn't prepared myself for going home -- especially because of the judges' comments. I took that into consideration and America took it into consideration and didn't feel the need to pick up the phone and vote.

Will you go back to starring in 'Hairspray' on Broadway?
I'm definitely thinking about a solo career. I'm not opposed to going back to Broadway if it's the right role. My 'Hairspray' days are over for sure. (Laughs)

What were you most looking forward to?
I absolutely wanted to be in that Top 12 and sing with Diana Ross, so it's pretty hard.

Should the judges watch what they say, so as not to impact voting results?
I'm sure they aren't thinking about it as they give the comments, but America definitely listens to them. I'd rather Simon not have made the hotel comment like he did. But knowing that they were shocked by me being voted off was definitely a consolation.

Who do you think will win?
I think it's going to be a girl this year. Melinda is obviously great, but I really can't tell. It's a crap shoot.

Do you think the vote was split between you and the other singers with big voices?
I do. And honestly I wanted to sing some songs that would have set me apart. A lot of the songs I wanted to sing, it didn't happen in time. It hurt me a little bit especially when Simon made the comment about who my competition was.

Do you think it will continue to split the votes?
I do. I think that ultimately the big voices might be split and it's a good position for the people who are separate from the group. I think that's why it's anyone's guess as to who will win it all.



Jared Cotter
Eliminated: March 8
Age: 25
Hometown: Kew Gardens, N.Y.

How are you feeling?
I am still shocked. Honestly. It's still hard for me to swallow. I never expected to be going home this early.

What did you think of Randy saying that you needed to be more original?
I was doing songs where they recommend you not changing them too much. I was doing Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. I wasn't doing 311. It was a lose-lose situation for me.

Do you have any theories about why you got voted off?
I honestly think it was Simon's comments over the last few weeks. My performance did not warrant going home. I'm still shocked.

Was it your song choice? Do you regret not doing something more current?
I don't have any regrets. Next week is Diana Ross week. I probably would have updated one of her songs. I was just taking a school of thought from previous winners.

Do you think Votefortheworst.com has anything to do with it?
I don't know if it messed things up. Sundance and Antonella were nominated by Votefortheworst.com, and they got voted off. I think they need to get a handle on the Web sites that vote for people like that. Yesterday was definitely not based on votes alone. You had four contestants that were either extremely talented or in the media so much that they should have gone through.



Nick Pedro
Eliminated: March 1
Age: 25
Hometown: Taunton, Mass.

Why do you think you were voted off?
I just wasn't enough people's favorite, or some people thought that because I got good comments [from the judges,] they just didn't need to pick up the phone. Maybe they assumed I was safe. I'm not exactly sure.

Did you sense that you were going to be sent home?
I was in the spot that Amy was in when she was sent home last week. I was even joking to AJ, who was next to me. I was like, "Man, if they do that same trick where the whole top row is safe, I could be toast." And he was like, "Don't worry about it." Come to find out, both of us went.

Why did you opt out of the Hollywood round last year?
Last year, I was completely exhausted because of the schedule of the Hollywood round. I didn't get any sleep for a few days, and I was just totally defeated. I couldn't retain any information. I went home with such a feeling of defeat and had time to mull that over and I didn't want to be remembered that way. I wanted to prove to the world and myself how good I could be.

What did you think when Simon criticized your outfit after you sang 'Fever'?
You know, they have a stylist who helps us pick out our clothes. So I told him, "I know ultimately everything is my decision, but whatever you want me to wear, that's what I'll do. You know best." It's funny because the same guy that helps [Simon] out, helped me out. If that's the worst that [Simon] says, I appreciate it.



Alaina Alexander
Eliminated: March 1
Age: 24
Hometown: West Hollywood, Calif.

Do you think your song choice, the Dixie Chicks' 'Not Ready to Make Nice,' had anything to do with you getting voted off?
I think the Dixie Chicks are so talented and so amazing. I felt like I could just deliver that song and connect with it. I was using the emotion of not being ready to make nice with the judges and standing my ground and wanting to prove myself. There was nothing political behind it, whatsoever. I hope that didn't hurt me. I don't know what America thinks. I really hope that's not the reason why.

What did you make of the controversy surrounding the racy photos of Antonella?
I don't really pay attention to any of the blogs and I try not to look on the Internet or read the paper, just so I can stay focused. But you overhear people talking and saying certain things. But I just tried to keep out of it because I wanted to focus on doing good in the performance.

How hard was it for you to sing after getting eliminated?
It was really hard. I kind of knew it was my time when I was sitting with the rest of the girls. I thought, "If one person's gonna go, it has to be me." So I kind of mentally prepared myself, and I felt OK until I looked at someone who was crying and I was like, "Oh, it's all downhill from here."

You are a singer-songwriter. Did you ever think about performing one of your own songs? Are you even allowed?
[Executive producer] Nigel [Lythgoe] told me that during these first few performances, you can sing whatever you want if you can get it cleared. So if I decided I wanted to do my own song, they would totally let me. But I thought my song choice was good enough, that I'd have been able to make it through. I was thinking of doing it next week, but I didn't have the chance.



AJ Tabaldo
Eliminated: March 1
Age: 22
Hometown: Santa Maria, Calif.

Do you think your song choice, 'Feeling Good,' did you in?
Based on my first performance, I took their constructive criticism and tried to choose something fun that would show off my range. And [the judges] liked it. Nothing against the song: I guess it was a coincidence that Leslie and I happened to choose the same thing. We really didn't know because the guys and girls are so separated that when we choose and rehearse our songs, we are separate.

It was a shock when you were voted off. Were you surprised?
Yeah, I was definitely shocked along with the judges and a few other people. But that's the name of the game. Not everybody gets to stay. I'm happy that I'm leaving on a good note at least.

Do you think you are a better singer than some of the people who remain on the show?
This is actually a tough year. There are some big contenders in this competition. Based on what the judges said, I felt like I was up there with the better singers and wished that I could have stayed longer. But not only is it a singing competition, it's also a popularity contest. At the end of the day, you can be the greatest singer and still go home.

Paul Kim went home last week. Do you think being Asian has anything to do with how far you go in the competition?
I don't think race has a lot to do with it. I think it's a singing competition and a popularity competition all put in one. I don't think race has a lot to do with the outcome. It's just what America enjoys as far as who you are as a person.



Leslie Hunt
Eliminated: March 1
Age: 24
Hometown: Chicago

Why do you think you were eliminated this week?
I'm just not that mainstream. I chose a couple songs that just aren't top of the charts. I don't know the show very well. I kind of auditioned on a whim and ended up going really far. I'm just not familiar with the formula.

Do you think 'Feeling Good' was a bad luck song?
I don't know. (Laughs) I know other contestants have done it in different seasons -- even two contestants doing the same song the same night. It could be a curse. (Laughs)

You have a reference on the 'Idol' Web site about a near-death experience. Can you talk about that?
Yeah, I had an adverse reaction to the yellow fever vaccination. My system started to shut down and my brain was swelling because I was getting the yellow fever times 30. I definitely should have died. I'm the only person to survive that sort of thing, and I was in Brazil. That pretty much changed my outlook on things.

Do you have any regrets about your performance?
I would have liked to have had a chance to rock out a little more. To choose two really big songs, I don't know if that did me justice. I kind of had an epiphany after watching myself do 'Feeling Good.' I was like, "Man, I am white. I am totally white. Nobody told me. This is the first I've heard." (Laughs) My roots are more piano vocal stuff, so that was my plan for next week, but too bad for me.