TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

'American Idol' Season Six Exit Interviews:
Sanjaya Malakar

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.


Sanjaya Malakar
Eliminated: April 18
Age: 17
Hometown: Federal Way, Wash.

How surprised have you been by your unlikely success on 'Idol'?
It's crazy. I knew the show was big, but I had no idea how big it really was and how much impact it had.

Did you sense that you would be eliminated this week?
When I saw the show Tuesday night, I had a feeling. I was in the dumps all day on Wednesday. So I kind of knew.

Were you surprised by your staying power?
I was focused on getting past each week. I wasn't looking too far into the future because I knew that if I did, I'd overwhelm myself.

Did you face any animosity from other Idols, who might have been upset about your popularity?
Not at all. We are really close. I think that was the hardest part of leaving -- leaving that extended part of my family.

Are you more or less confident in your singing after this experience?
I feel like I've grown, so I'm more confident because I had this experience and do it every week. Practice makes perfect.

Did you ever have a sense in your own head that you weren't as good as the other contestants?
I think that every contestant has something going for them. I didn't really think of it that way -- someone being better than the other. Everyone is here for a reason, and everyone is here because they are supposed to be here.

Have you fielded any offers yet for acting or singing gigs?
The show just ended for me, and I've been doing publicity. I haven't really gotten any offers, but I'm sure they'll come. And I'm more than willing to go into any entertainment field ... I think my main thing to look for when I choose opportunities is something that I really feel strongly about. I'm not going to choose based on money. The most important thing I can do is just stay true to myself.

Did you ever consider quitting?
Not at all. I was going to stay as long as I possibly could and just work every week and try to learn from everything that happened.

Was your philosophy to focus more on how you looked and less on how you sounded?
My philosophy was to stay true to myself and try to put my personality out there.

Was Bonnie Raitt's 'Something to Talk About' your first song choice this week?
No, unfortunately my first choice wasn't able to be cleared. It was 'Mercedes Benz' but it wasn't cleared because the show is sponsored by Ford, and I understand that.

What was your favorite performance of all the ones you did?
'Besame Mucho.' I felt like that was the strongest. I think I sang the best in that one and put the most energy and emotion into it.

Someone else from season six said you had a habit of reading blogs and fan reaction to gauge your performance. What kind of effect did that have on you?
I read them to balance myself because it was kind of impossible not to hear stuff, and oftentimes it was negative. I balanced the negative and the positive just to keep myself grounded.

Is there anything you heard said about yourself that sticks out?
When 'Saturday Night Live' did that skit on me and they said "I don't know whether he's scared or happy!" That was hilarious. I had to laugh at that one.

Was it frustrating for you that your hair got more attention than your singing?
No, because at a certain point, that had become my thing. Everyone looks for something to grab onto with each contestant, and my hair was that for me.

What was your favorite hairstyle?
My favorite hairstyle was when I sang 'Besame Mucho' -- minus the grease. (Laughs) I really liked it.

What's your reaction to the fact that Hillary Clinton was asked about you during a campaign stop?
It's really interesting because I had no idea how much impact this show had. I think it's interesting a 17-year-old Seattle boy could have so much impact and end up in the presidential debate.

Did you ever think you'd win?
Every one of us wants to win, but I was more focused on the learning aspect of this. I got my GED after my sophomore year, and I basically saw this as my junior and senior year of high school because this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. This was my way of learning it, and I got a lot further than I ever expected to.

What was your parents' reaction when you told them you wanted to get a GED?
It was actually my mom's idea to get my GED and focus on this because I had a little bit of trouble in school -- not because I didn't know the material, but because I didn't do my homework, which is a horrible habit to have. I wanted to get my GED, so I could move on and focus on music. I still do want to go to college and get my education.

Why do you think Simon was so hard on you?
From the beginning, I think Simon saw potential in me, and when I didn't fulfill that potential, he was disappointed. I think he's an amazing person and he's very opinionated, but I learned more from him than anyone else.

What role do you think Votefortheworst.com or Howard Stern played in your staying power?
I don't think that Voteforheworst.com or Howard Stern really have enough people voting for enough times to make a dent. I think the reason why I'm here is solely because of my support from fans.

Have you given any thought to hiring a bodyguard? It's going to be hard for you to walk down the street for a while.
I definitely ready to hire a bodyguard. I'm actually looking to do that right now! (Laughs)

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