By VIctor Balta
Eye On Idol
Comcast.net
Still in shock at his departure from “American Idol” on Thursday night, Michael Johns talked to TV writers on a conference call Friday to talk about his journey. He had some choice words about Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges, why he has a Wiggles CD in his music collection, and what he thought about host Ryan Seacrest’s semi-cruel twist at the end of the results show that made Michael think for a moment that he might not actually be going home.
On whether he was surprised at his exit…
I don’t know quite yet. It’s a bit of a whirlwind. The last two or three weeks have been my strongest, but we’re in a competition and stuff can happen. And it did.
On what Australians do to drown their sorrows…
Pick your poison [laughs]. Beer, or whatever. We’re a pretty good beer-drinking country, so that’s probably what I’m going to do here in a little bit.
On the fan outrage at his departure…
Nothing’s sunk in just quite yet, but the backlash that I’ve seen in the press and talking to you guys, it means a lot. It means that I struck a nerve somewhere. I really believe, especially in the top eight, you can’t let your favorite go and think, “Oh he had a great week, she had a great week” and send some of your votes somewhere else. Because sometimes, unfortunately, the people you thought were going to be safe go home.
On the booing in the crowd as his elimination was announced…
I definitely was aware of it; it was pretty loud. It just gave me solace in the fact that I struck a nerve with a lot of people. It made me feel very special, actually. Once again, no one’s safe. You’ve got to vote for your favorite.
On which performance he was most proud of…
Probably “It’s All Wrong, But It’s Alright” (on Dolly Parton night). Turning a country song into a soul song, it’s my niche. I’m just sad I’m not going to be around doing any more of it.
On which song he would have done next week on Mariah Carey night…
It was going to be a really cool, soul version of “Vision of Love,” her first Number 1 single. It was hot, too, so I’m a little bummed.
On the rumors that he has a Wiggles’ CD in his collection…
You know, it’s true. Once you get into your 20s and you start having nephews, nieces and (little) cousins. (The Wiggles) are one of the biggest acts coming out of Australia, and you pretty much can’t escape them.
On working with Dolly Parton, one of his idols…
It was absolutely amazing. I even got to speak to her this morning and she was saying what a fan of mine she was. That’s so surreal to hear Dolly Parton saying “I can’t wait to sing a duet with you someday.” She said she loved what I did with her song, and she said she would love to write and maybe sing a duet one of these days. That was cool.
On Simon’s comments, in general…
Sometimes Simon is off the mark, to be honest. He wanted me to sing that soul, blues stuff every week. But I’m a rock-soul singer. You have to go out there and say this is the kind of record I’m going to make and this is the sound I do. You can’t try to assume what the judges are going to say. Some weeks they love it, some weeks they don’t.
On how important he thinks Simon’s approval is to fans…
I think Simon’s very influential. But, for me, what was more important was showing America what kind of record I’m going to make. I never wavered from the fact that I’m going to sing rock and soul, and that was more important to me than getting the three thumbs up.
On what the judges said to him at the end of the results show…
I think Paula’s been spot on this year, I really do. It’s been kind of a weird judging year, and all the contestants feel that way. But Paula grabbed me and said “I have no doubt in my mind we’ll be seeing you do big things some day.” And Randy said “I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with your career.” And Simon, as you saw, told America he’s going to miss me and “you’re a good guy.” Hearing “you’re a good guy” from Simon, that’s pretty cool.
On what he meant by saying it’s been a “weird judging year”…
You know, I’ve watched the show the last six years, and sometimes the judges just got it wrong this year. I thought Syesha’s performance on Tuesday night was absolutely stellar with some of the notes she hit, and they kind of knocked on her a bit. Carly’s the same way. One thing I’ve learned from “Idol,” you’ve got to be true to yourself.
On singing such an overtly Christian song (“Shout to the Lord”) on “Idol Gives Back”…
Religion is very personal, and I think there’s a big difference between “spiritual” and “religion.” But with “Idol Gives Back,” there’s a bigger picture up there. To be part of something like that, it’s just magic. I didn’t expect to be part of something like that when I got into this as a singing competition. But I was happy to sing it.
On the mild backlash from viewers who don’t think non-Americans like him (Australian) and Carly Smithson (Irish) should be competing on “American Idol”…
If you look at all the contestants, it’s a pretty amazing year. It really has been a melting pot on “Idol.” It’s almost only David Cook and Brooke (White) that are fully “American.” You’ve got David Archuleta, whose mom is, like, half-(Honduran), Syesha has got some Cuban in her, Jason Castro is part Colombian, Ramiele was born in Saudi Arabia (and grew up in the Philippines). The entire top 12 was like that. Chikezie was of Nigerian descent. It was pretty cool to see that America didn’t really care about that side that much. What mattered was were you a real person and a good singer.
On what he thought about Ryan Seacrest’s twist at the end of the results show…
You know, I get the television aspect of this competition. But, you know, it was tough. I thought “I’m going home.” Then I thought “I’m not going home, maybe they’re just having a laugh.” But then the reality set in and I knew it was over. Ryan gave me a look as if to say “I am sorry I had to do that.” I don’t hold anything against Ryan or anything like that.
