Interviews with Michael Johns, Jason Castro, Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado – VIDEO

I love MJ but with the inconsistent performances he was giving, he wouldn’t have made it to 4th. 8th was definitely too early, though.

I agree, 8th was way too early for him. He is very blunt isn’t he? lol

Let me preface this by saying I have PMS, my Honey Nut Cheerios were stale, and my boss ganked my favorite fine point pen.

However, I find Syesha more and more annoying the more I get to know her through interviews and blogs. I’m not trying to be a hater, but it just seems like she gets a little ahead of herself. In contrast, MJ’s constant rant about being eliminated doesn’t bother me one bit. I think SINCERITY is the defining characteristic that separates them. He seems like the real deal.

There’s nothing wrong with other people complimenting Michael and saying he was voted off too soon, but he should really leave that to them. Him saying these things comes off as conceited and frankly quite rude to the other contestants.
Who does he think he should’ve outlasted to get to 4th place?
Some things are better left unsaid.

I only watched the interview with Michael. I’ve already made up my mind about who I would go see live, who I would buy an album by, etc. I will very likely buy Michael’s album. I wanted to hear more from him on AI and agree he left too early. I assumed he was safe – I shoulda voted for him! I’ve already pre-ordered Cook’s new album and collected everything else I can find in the meantime. I MIGHT buy a Brooke White album. I’ll wait to see what she comes out with post-Idol and sample before buying. I would give a Jason post-Idol album a test run. That’s it. Michael does seem like a genuine, honest guy. I see confidence & honesty, not conceit or a facade. Love him. Love YOU most, Mr Cook!

Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s nothing wrong with other people complimenting Michael and saying he was voted off too soon, but he should really leave that to them. Him saying these things comes off as conceited and frankly quite rude to the other contestants.
Who does he think he shouldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve outlasted to get to 4th place?
Some things are better left unsaid

I agree 100%.

I read MJ’s interview as conceit. I ranted enough on this yesterday elsewhere, but it is conceited to blatantly say you should have been in the Top 4. We know he said David/David were the right F2, so if I were that reporter I would have totally pressed MJ to start naming names. Put the guy on the spot a little.

All that says to me is that Michael seems to think he’s more talented/deserving than just about all of his tourmates and that reeks of conceit.

I agree with Jolene. Let other people tell you you were robbed. Don’t go around telling people you were robbed. It seems to be going to his head a bit.

Somebody should also tell him that he wasn’t third on Dial Idol that week. He wasn’t at the bottom, but he wasn’t third.

On a positive note, Brooke, Rami and Jason’s interviews were adorable. There are no words for Sy. Though for extra entertainment watch for Jason’s cameo at the end of Rami’s interview.

I do like Mj but agree 100% about his statement . MJ is Mj.

For Purplesmile:

Books that Jason castro braught? HMMMm
“101 practicle Jokes” plus its sequal
“whoopy chushions a jokesters best friend”
These of course to survie on the bus w/ praticle jokesters…
“How to make sock puppets”For all those single socks w/ no mates………
“The Dreads of Our Lives”care for and diferent uses of the dread hair style.
The finale book I hope is “Lord of The Rings” ok he reminds me of the Elves thier looks and his personality..

Jason Castro packed more books than clothes for the tour.

Err, Jasonnn, we can tell…ditch that blue striped shirt, would ya? lol

Michael Johns absolutely thinks he was voted off too early. He thinks he should have finished 4th.

Loving MJ, his sense of humor, and some of his song choices…plus, the accent and good looks don’t hurt. But, but, but…I have to believe that he’s serious when he says that he should have finished 4th. If he thinks the voters got #1 and #2 right, then does he think Jason didn’t deserve 4th? Jason trumped him with “Daydream” and “Hallelujah” while he was still struggling to find his sea legs in the competition, not to mention the other good performances that followed. Maybe he means Syesha shouldn’t have been 3rd. That school of thought is pretty popular.

Sigh. Those statements have become a little egotistical and over the top lately. It kinda sticks in my craw a little. I’d love an explanation….

Correction for the blog above—”I agree 100% about what is said about his statement…..”

These were great interviews. We got more info out of them than any for awhile. I couldn’t bring myself to watch the Syesha one though.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when MJ popped into the girls dressing rooms. Whoo I bet they were steamed! hee

I can agree that Johns should have moved up 2 notches – to 6th place, with Kristi Lee and Syesha leaving sooner. But putting those sorts of comments out loud just sounds like sour grapes. I mean, Daughtry was shocked when it happened to him, but I don’t think he ever came out later saying he should have stayed longer. And it looks like it worked out well enough for him…

Earth to Michael Johns, shut the fuck up and sing baby. And this is coming from one that would have loved to see him come in 4th. Damn, doesn’t he read Mj’s. His ‘honesty’ does him no favors in currying goodwill to others who don’t agree with the scope of his talent. I hope that he does have success, because I do see myself purchasing his cd, but if he continues there are many that don’t love his half as much and see him as a smug, egotistical, pompous, ass. Like I said sweetie, buy a clue.

Many AI fans love MJ. But honestly when reading the posts on other fansites, many seem to love all of the top ten. Johns arrogant swagger does not equate to talent. All of his performances lacked originality. He takes the approach that if he tells you how great he is and often , you will begin to believe him. Rather then listen to the judges, he argued every time. Simon was right on with this one.
He was voted off at the right time. Why? Because not enough people voted for him. That speaks for it’s self. What doesn’t he get? No one liked him as much as he thought they should so… they didn’t vote for him.
Only Diehard AI fans will buy what he does not seem to be able to sell. I for one am tired of hearing him.

Yeah, his comments are cocky but oddly I’m not bothered by them. I don’t necessarily agree or disagree with them but I don’t find them mean spirited. He apparently doesn’t care for Simon and Randy but he was respectful in his comments. He’s just being blunt. In a stupid way perhaps but def doesn’t make him an arrogant ass. YMMV, of course. He’s human, he entitled to feel that way. I’m not bothered as long as he doesn’t start dissing other contestants (which I can’t see him do).

I’d rather Michael not have made the comments but I agree with them. I don’t think that Randy and Simon have a clue a lot of the time and also that Michael should have been in the top 4 (along with Carly). Imo KLC, Jason, Brooke, and Syesha all went to high but that’s the nature of the show. Often singers go beyond their talent because they’re popular.

I think with Michael it’s more confidence than arrogance however you have to be very confident in yourself if you want to make it in this industry.

Michael is coming off as quite an ass. He was not nearly as good as he thought he was. His whining is irritating. I wish they had asked him who he thought should have been third. Since he thought he should have been fourth, where does he think Jason should have landed. The week Michael was eliminated, Jason sung “SOTR”. Enough said.

I’ve tried to like Michael and even avoided threads that were just about him but he is making it impossible to like him. He really should just STFU. The voters made the decision months ago. Whining won’t change anything but it will make people dislike him more.

Rami, Jason and Brooke were adorable. I like their interviews. During Syesha’s interview, I was distracted and was trying to hear the interview Jason was having in the background.

You missed it. He is dissing the the contestants, by saying he should have finished ahead of them. DC always said he knew that the end could be any time any week. MJ was a bit disrespectful with the judges. He did not curse or walk off (think that would have ended it very early) but he was snappy with them and Simon at one point got angry at his reactions. He became an arrogant ass when some 3 months later he still says he is better then his peers on the show.

That Rami interview was cute. LOL at crazy Jasonnn’s cameo.

Michael, dear, it is what it is. I still love you, though.

It’s strange with Michael Johns, because in person he doesn’t come across as arrogant. He has confidence in himself, but he’s also very realistic about everything.

Him saying he should have been fourth doesn’t bother me, but I can see that it does seem conceited. Personally I would have had him win the whole thing, and I thought he would at least be in the top 5.

They all come on the show to win, but he should maybe keep some of that to himself.

I talked to him at a similar press hour, and he was great the whole time. He even aplogized to me that David Cook wasn’t there!

This is just me, but I actually think finishing 8th is the best thing that could’ve happened to Michael Johns. How much more media attention has he gotten out of being this season’s “shock boot”?
He didn’t have many standout performances during the season, and while it’s impossible to guess how he would’ve done had he continued, I don’t see him getting past 6th. JMHO.
So what’s better – staying a little while longer until everyone knows it’s your time, or leaving too soon to cries of “robbed!!1!”?
Basically – I think he should stop complaining because it’s probably worked out in his favor.

Oh my. Maybe I haven’t been reading or listening to much Michael has said since the show ended or since he left. I personally thought he was just finding his niche when he ended up leaving AI. I liked him & his singing more than I like some of the contestants who finished higher than him. He WAS kinda inconsistent though. And yeah, it would’ve been interesting if the interviewer has asked him exactly who he thinks should’ve been the Top 4. I bet he thinks Davids, he, and Carly…which is something of a slight against some others. Sigh. I don’t know if this type talk from him will make me NOT buy his album though. I might have to give it a test listen first….

Pfft – This makes me think MJ is arrogant and lose respect for him. WE vote and the chips fall where they may. It isn’t always fair but it is what it is. Something MAKES people pick up the phone – it isn’t always strictly talent- it may be the “X’ factor or the song or we “click” with a contestant. But the rules are the person with the least votes goes. MJ should keep his mouth shut IMO. And IMO Jason beat him out even with the bus running him down.

ETA: As I remember… MJ, Archie, Carly and KLC were pimped to high heaven. He sure isn’t complaining about that.

As far as MJ is concerned, I think some things are better off just left unsaid on his part. If he wants to think he was booted too early that’s great, but I wouldn’t go broadcasting it in interviews. Plus as others have said his supposed “shock boot” was probably the best thing that ever happened to him. Would people even be talking about him if he went out 4th? Probably not.

I guess part of the issue for me is that I never found MJ’s boot that shocking. He underachieved most of his time on AI and had only one song IMO that really set him apart from the others. Michael struggled a bit in the semis when people like Castro, Brooke and Cook came out strong. That is when fanbases are built. But I digress since it doesn’t much matter what place they all went out at anyway.

I still think MJ was the victim of the vote split – him/DC/Carly. That week, DC did “Innocent”, and MJ was left out in the cold as voters rushed to save DC, believing that he was in danger of going home.

I was shocked that night. He certainly didn’t deserve to go so early. But, he did. So, he’s got to let that go. I still think IAWBIAR was his best performance, followed by “Across the Universe”.

However, it’s a diss to his fellow contestants for him to say “I am better than at least six of you.” It’s okay if journalists, news reporters, and radio DJs say those words. Heck, even Simon Cowell said he would have loved to see MJ in the Top 4. But, for him to say it gives the story a whole other spin.

That being said, I’m still buying his album, if it doesn’t suck.

Michael – the season is over – don’t go backward – move forward and be freaking grateful for what you have. You were an unknown nobody before you landed on AI and look at where you are now. And quit dissing your fellow contestants, which is what you are doing saying you should have been in the top four. So WHO shouldn’t have been there? Very unclassy, MJ.

I do believe Mr. Johns thinks he’s better than he really is. Sorry, but he’s beginning to annoy me.

I don’t think it was conceited of Micahel to think he should have been top 4, because he is hardly alone in that opinion, that would have been my final four, all props to the Dreadheads but I find MJ and Carly superior singers to Jason and Syesha and I am not the only one. I remember that JD Fortune and Marty Casey after 1 week of Rockstar INXS realized they were the only competition and hey they were. #1 and #2 but that was because there was an intervenor, the band INXS.

However as is happening on Canadian Idol, if you don’t vote for fav every week, they will get eliminated so you have to suffer the dead weight whilst great talent got let go too early. Oh Oliver why and I even voted for once.

However what MJ should focus on is that being eliminated early has in fact worked to his greater benefit because review after review is saying how did this guy get eliminated so early, he is getting glowing reviews on the AI Tour and the shock elimination put focus on him far wider and much longer than any other eliminated AI contestant since Daughtry.

However you try doing a few thousand interviews where you get asked the same questions a thousand times.

I also think the themes of the upcoming weeks were going to benefit his style of his singing, he would have killed Mariah Carey week for sure…….and I will never understand the judges criticism of Dream On that week, never in a million years and the judges comments do sway the casual non committed voters, I believe.

“Michael – the season is over – donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go backward – move forward and be freaking grateful for what you have. You were an unknown nobody before you landed on AI and look at where you are now. And quit dissing your fellow contestants, which is what you are doing saying you should have been in the top four. So WHO shouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have been there? Very unclassy, MJ.”

Couldn’t agree more, Judy. Losing respect for MJ all over the place. How ’bout a little respect for your fellow contestants? He thinks the Davids were the correct final two; it doesn’t take a genius to do the math and figure out which of the others he thinks should have gone before him. Uncool, MJ, very uncool.

I find Michael’s “I should have been top 4″ comment unfortunate. But, outside of that, I think he comes across just fine to me. That being said, I don’t find his 8th place boot all that shocking. I thought it was too bad that he didn’t outlast Kristy or Syesha, but Brooke and Jason were my favorites, so obviously I wasn’t hoping or expecting for him to outlast them.

I think Michael’s success will be totally dependent on the music he puts out, and at this point I have no idea whether I’ll be interested in it or not.

Of course, I loved Brooke & Jason’s interviews And, those are the only two whose cd’s I would probably pre-order without a first listen. I just love their voices so much, I could listen to them sing anything. Everyone else I’ll give the old wait and see. Although – I do know I’d never buy anything from KLC & Syesha, as they don’t appeal to me at all.

I might buy a Chikeze cd, but I don’t think there’s a chance in hell he’s going to get to make one.

Gandalf and Pippin riding to the gates of Minas Tirith. Gandalf talking to Pip-”Denethor is Boromir’s father. Don’t say anything about Aragorn. Don’t mention Frodo and Sam……..or the ring. In fact, it would be better if you do not speak at all.”
MJ would do well to follow the final piece of advice about his vote off position.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it was conceited of Micahel to think he should have been top 4, because he is hardly alone in that opinion, that would have been my final four, all props to the Dreadheads but I find MJ and Carly superior singers to Jason and Syesha and I am not the only one.

This statement is so relative, MJ is not a better singer than Jason and Syesha, he is a different kind of singer. I have no use for Syesha, bless her heart, but Jason is the one I will be buying. His voice appeals to me over the others, doesn’t make him better or worse than anyone else!
We always compare the voices on this show as to who is better, etc. It’s insane. When I go to play a song, I don’t go through my collection looking for the “better” singer. I listen to what I like!

I think MJ is real. He doesn’t have any use for being politic and fake and good for him. The same can not be said for Syesha.

And can I just say how HAPPY I am that DC is moving to my town?

Tra la la!!!

Ehhh….not digging MJ’s ‘bluntness’ much. Why still bitter? Inner confidence is great but when you constantly bring up the same topic, it starts to get a little annoying and you start to look a little, as you said yourself Michael, conceited. If, he were a musical prodigy with ridiculous vocals (I honestly think Jason’s voice is far superior to MJ’s), he may get away with the dare I say it, arrogance, but, he’s not :/ If I met him, I would most probably find him totally charming but as it stands, I believe he needs to keep some things to himself.

Jason’s interview was great! He’s eloquent, has a lot to say, makes a lot of sense, came across intelligent, funny, charismatic, genuine, charming, polite etc, etc. I only like him more and more as time progresses. There wasn’t one point in his vid where I though “meh” whereas I did with MJ’s, Sye’s and even Brooke’s (the little fans statement was annoying) -LOVE her to bits though. The way she talked about protecting Archuleta with her life was SWEET.

Rami’s interview was charismatic and adorable, like her. LMAO at Jason jumping from table to table! Ohhh Jason.

Gotta add, lovin’ the scruffy look on him. He looks great anywhat way but I do like the shirt and the facial fuzz. It’s sexy to me. As is the fact that he’s a reader.

Michael was never bad enough to be interesting, most of the time he was mediocre which is actually more dangerous than being bad. And no way would he have made it all the way to 4th. The most he would have done is switched places with Carly, who would have probably left that week in his stead.

*sigh* Michael Michael Michael *tsk tsk*
You should take some humility classes from Archie and Jase my dear.
Maybe I’ll let you off (again) for being sexy?

I love Jason’s interview the most. It was really good. I love how he said that the Davids get the most groupies & such whilst the others said Jason does. Humble people are awesome.

Ramiele is a cutie! Jason’s cameo in her video is hysterical LOL. I adore Brooke’s speaking voice. It’s so husky and gorgeous.

Still not sure what to make of Syesha. She’s very material-orientated and could probably talk about herself for hours. Beautiful woman though.

I think any ounce of Michael love I had has gone bye bye. The world isn’t ready for Constantine pt. 2. Let’s see if he actually gets a CD out quicker than Con. Indie acts don’t have a great track record.

Michael is such a great guy. I don’t see anything conceited in him he even said that. Just confidence and honesty. I would love to hang out with him, he seems so much fun.

In some ways he is endearing with his shock boot… He could still be hurt about that awful night.

But I take it as someone with enough “balls” to say what he thinks. He seems like such a great friend to the others and I have read so many reports on how nice and sweet he is with his fans..He is not the all rainbows and puppies guy he is just a 29 year old guy still trying to make it and have seen many things now.

I hate that the media keeps asking him the same question of the shock boot over and over again.
What is he supposed to say? Yes I deserved it, I was expecting it. He is just honest and blunt and I give him props for that.

He sure looks HOT in that video, well as always. I can’t wait for his album.. I think he could surprise people, he’s been in the industry so long now.. He finally deserves his break .. Hope he gets it this time.

I don’t mind Michael being blunt about the judges level of musical knowledge (because that’s factual and oh so true), but he just comes off as disrespectful to the other contestants when he talks about ending up in the Top 4. I don’t necessarily think that he believes he is better than the other six or whatever, but that he thinks the judging (which was I believe harsher on him and Carly) served to screw him in the eyes of the public.

MJ really walks the line of confidence/arrogance for me. I would like him a lot more if he was a bit more modest. Yes i agree he was voted off a little early, but with all his mediocre performances, i really dont feel sorry for him, nor do i think him being voted off is unjustified.

Aww. Jason is so humble. MJ should take notes because I think he came off as being a little arrogant. Look, we all have our preferences and I don’t think there is any right or wrong answer as to where someone should have finished. You can make an argument for MJ finishing top four but I think he just didn’t connect with the audience the way some of the others did. I think he started too slow despite major pimpage. C’est la vie.

I always love seeing Brooke interviewed. And she has GREAT hair!!

I think MJ is awesome – love him and Brooke and Jason, especially Jason – he is way too cute and funny. I dont think he came off disrespectful at all, spoke his mind especially about the three stooges (yes, I am being disrespectful to them but they have been much worse at times in the past)

I think the top 4 should have been Davids 1 & 2 then Jason and then MJ though

Johns is edging into Blake Lewis territory…and we all know how well Blake’s “honesty” went for him.

I noticed that most of the Idols interviewed here felt that either Archie or Jason Castro had the most groupies. Now I realize, having been to a tour show, that both these fan groups tend toward the younger and screamier, therefore more obvious side, but I am concerned for the future of rock on this show.

The theory that David Cook’s fans tend to be older and less prone to signs, tshirts and screaming, I think is valid. The additional concern is that alot of DC fans might be passing on the AI tour and waiting for DC to go solo. I completely relate to this. It could be why most of the shows are not sold out even though DC is wildly popular.

I would guess that TPTB are observing this phenomenon and noting the sqewed responses for the future. Was the winner good for their bottom line? Is this why rock contestants haven’t won AI? What happens now? They either modify the AI tour to be interesting to more people (ie bring back duets or threesomes, more songs, less PopTarts, vary the songlists from town to town) and/or they modify the show format and voting. They can’t be thrilled that the clear winner is not getting the loudest and greatest fanbases to come to the concert.

I have no doubt that David Cook will be one of the most successful artists AI has seen. But I am concerned about this trend. Anyone have any thoughts here?

I think MJ left when he did because he failed to play the game correctly. Most of his top 24 performances were pretty lackluster, IMO. I disagree with him on the Simon front, too. He should have stuck with the bluesy sound he channeled with IAWBIAR as Simon advised. By that time, Cookie had already established himself as the resident rocker. To survive, MJ needed to stand out. For him to ignore Simon’s advice and do “Dream On” zapped any momentum he gained after the IAWBIAR performance. I agreed that it was copy-cat. It’s not like he would’ve been stuck only singing bluesy stuff for the rest of his career. It might have helped him to pick up an instrument as well.

That said, I kinda doubt he would have made top 4 even if he had stuck with the bluesy sound. Who knows? Things can change on a dime. The main problem is that he failed to get a big fanbase early after all the initial pimping. He seemed to be coasting/holding out during the top 24.

That said, I’m not mad at him. He seems like a pretty personable dude from my observations. Sour grapes aren’t attractive, but they don’t make him a bad person.

ETA: Movin2thabeat, I’d argue that Archie and Jason have their share of adult fans (and those are prolly the ones shelling out for the swag). I’d also argue that success on tour doesn’t necessarily translate into a successful recording career. Finally, the response to Cookie at the concert I attended was deafening.

LMAO. Michael is into Dial Idol? That’s hilarious.

As far as the top 4 thing comment…meh, I didn’t care for him at all so I don’t really care where he finished or where he wanted to finish. But you’d think he’d keep a comment like that to himself (or at least be more humorous about it so people won’t take it so seriously) because as we all know, people hang on their every word.

movin2thatbeat, my husband definitely fits into the cateogry of DC fans who would rather wait for a DC solo tour than go to an AI concert. He only went because I bribed and guilted him into going. (I had to pull the it’s my birthday card and that’s what you’re giving me card!) So I am fully familiar with the phenomenon of DC fans who’d rather stay at home than go to an AI concert. He also sat down during the whole concert and only stood up for DC. (He stood up for part of Archie’s set too.) That said, the cheers were definitely very loud, if not the loudest (on a sustained basis), for DC when I attended the San Jose show.

Not sure the AI organizers care about who gets the loudest cheers/screams though. Given that this tour is selling a lot better than last year (though perhaps not as well as S5 (I don’t know about this part)), I don’t think the AI organizers are going to change their strategy on which Idol to crown based on the applause-o-meter, especially since I don’t think there’s an appreciable difference anyway once you get down to the big 3 (Cook, Archuleta and Castro). I’m sure it’s different from city to city as to who gets the loudest cheers, but it’s probably one of those three and the decibel level differs not by much. (Also, I heard that Blake was a tour favorite last year but given what’s happened to his career since then, I don’t think an Idol’s reception during the AI tour is necessarily an indicator of future success in the music industry, which I would think the AI organizers would care more about.)

I’ve run hot and cold on MJ, not sure if he was arrogant or not. But, as a Jason fan, I do resent his remark that he should’ve been in the top 4. That says to me, that he didn’t think that Jason or Syesha deserved their placing. So,not, I’m on the cold side with him. Stuff a sock in it, Michael. Go out and please your fans, win new ones, and, shut up about AI. It’s over, and, look forward to the future. Sure hope his career doesn’t take a dive because of his perceived arrogance. I still haven’t decided if it’s real or not, but, I think he’s beginning to believe his own hype.

And, yes,Cook has a lot of fans, and, as someone said, having a lot of screaming fans at a concert doesn’t mean you’ll be a successful recording artist. I can name a few who were loved during the tour, but, it didn’t spill over after Idol. The same goes for Cook, it could happen to him as well. Just keeping it real, because some seem to think he is immune. I, don’t.

They are like in a microscope, they have to watch every single word they say, how annoyiing.

Anyways, just random but MJ does love Jason:

Here’s what he said about Jason when he got the boot:
http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=TdnKcTsIdzI&feature=related

I really think he is a great great guy and confident too. I love that. Plus, according to everyone he is fun to have around.
Every story I’ve read of people meeting Michael during tour say that he is so sweet, the nicest with his fans, bla, bla. So there you go.

edited

Okay, first of all I’ve seen some comments saying MJ shouldn’t keep bringing up the issue. He didn’t, the interviewers did. I know I’ve said things I shouldn’t have before (not in an interview, I’ve never been there), but I do think he’s just an honest guy. Perhaps he’s basing his top four comment on the applaud-o-meter at the concerts.

Having said that, I’ve never been a huge MJ fan, but after the concert I decided I probably would go see him in concert. He’s great live! Not positive about buying an album though.

I am a huge Jason Castro fan however and will buy his album and would see him in concert.

I don’t think MJ intended to be mean-spirited in what he said, but he did go a little too far with his comments.

I watched them all. I almost skipped Ramielle’s, but decided to watch since I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in an interview by herself. She is simply adorable. (Jason running through and her reaction to it didn’t hurt it either.:))

Maracaibo – I second, third and fourth every word you just said. I have read recap after recap about how charming and funny and nice he has been at all the meet and greets. He has made many a new fan just because of that- I just love him still but you are right, can’t change minds no more than anyone can make me dislike him can I make anyone like him. Jason is my favorite out of all of them and he has only said nice things about MJ. TheyALL seem to adore MJ

Thanks for the videos. Jason really does give a good interview these days. He just seems like a nice guy. I will fully cop to not being a Syesha fan up front, however, I thought she came off pretty well during her interview. She comes across a bit superficial at times for me, but for the most part, she seems harmless. That was one of her better ones IMO. Rami and Brooke are always just cute. As for MJ, I just wish he would be a little more aware of how he comes off when he talks about himself because he can go from seeming like a really cool guy to an arrogant one in a split second. I don’t think repeating the sentiment that he should have been in the top 4 will do him much good in the long run.

Reminder. AGAIN:

Keep your opinions focused on the IDOLS. Don’t judge your fellow posters or question their motives. Posts that don’t follow the guidelines will be edited and/or deleted. Repeat offenders are eventually banned.

Thank you.

I just went back and really listened to Michael and he talked about THAT for about a minute and was sooo freaking funny and talked so much about everything else but a lot are just jumping on THAT? So, Jason and Archie have the most fans and Jason gets the most swag, imagine that – eh Randy and Simon???? You were sooooo wrong about Jason Castro – every single recap I have read you have people that love or hate the others but Jasons always say something nice or are amazed at how well he did.
A lot that didnt even like him like him now (and MJ as a matter of factoid)

I’m not so sure that MJ meant this as a diss on his fellow competitors. He may have meant that he thought he had the ability to go that far but that doesn’t mean he didn’t think that the others didn’t deserve it or that he wasn’t happy for them. Maybe? I’m trying to help you out here Michael LOL

I’m not so sure that MJ meant this as a diss on his fellow competitors.

He probably didn’t, in his heart. But here’s the thing–and there really is no way to spin this–Michael believes that he deserved to stay longer than some of his fellow Idols who out lasted him. And he said it out loud for everyone to hear–including all the Idols. If Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White or Jason Castro heard him say that, I wonder what they would think? Well, by now, they know Michael well enough they’d probably just roll their eyes. But still, it comes off as a bit arrogant. I don’t think it’s nothing. But then, on the other hand, it’s certainly not going to stop me from buying Michaels record if it’s good. And, hey, while he may be a bit arrogant, he’s also very funny, charming and spends a lot of time with his fans and seems to appreciate them. Your average human being is complicated. There’s good and there’s bad.

Finally, I’ll say that I appreciate Michaels honesty. Sometimes, hearing an Idol say all the right things gets a little boring, if I’m being perfectly honest.

I just went back and really listened to Michael and he talked about THAT for about a minute and was sooo freaking funny and talked so much about everything else but a lot are just jumping on THAT?

Well, it’s a controversial thing to say, so naturally people focus on that.
The thing is that he has made veriations of this same remark since the day he was eliminated (I do believe this is the first time he placed himself as 4th, though).
I don’t feel like I’m judging him harshly, because I’ve reserved judgement for quite some time when I heard fan reports or comments in radio interviews. But it’s been 3 months – it’s time for him to move on.

I just watched Ramielle and what a cutie patootie – she is very secure and well spoken isnt she? Yes, hi Jason in the background you adorable dork

Michael Johns absolutely thinks he was voted off too early. He thinks he should have finished 4th.

This is what not to say in an interview.

Jason Castro packed more books than clothes for the tour.

This is absolutely what I want to hear in an interview. LOL.

Finally, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll say that I appreciate Michaels honesty. Sometimes, hearing an Idol say all the right things gets a little boring, if Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m being perfectly honest.

I agree just as long as it doesn’t get nasty like the Kim Locke box of rocks comment which now that I’m thinking about it, Michael told her to jump in a lake or something like that? Yea, blunt MJ can be fun!

Jason Castro packed more books than clothes for the tour.

This is absolute what I want to hear about in an interview. LOL.

Prime, I agree. And I love that he’s reading Paulo Coelho.

I have to say one more thing as I listened again to MJ again, he didnt say he should have finished 4th place but that he thought he should be up in the top 4 after the two Davids, so I dont think he was dissing my wonderful Jason and thinking Jason was undeserving – I think they both deserved top 4. He’s got the moms – whoopie cushions, lol I can just picture him sticking his butt in the curtain at the girls and making that go off. I know I am being immature but farts are funny (in moderation and well, whoopie cushion ones are the type I prefer over real ones at close range) Thats all again – over and out, roger dodger

sumidol, I love potty humor to an extent. I hope the rumors of Johnny Depp starring in a live version of Beavis and Butthead are true.

K, that was OT. Sorry! I just love typing Johnny Depp’s name.

so I dont think he was dissing my wonderful Jason and thinking Jason was undeserving

He didn’t name names, but anyone who finished ahead of him–from 7 to 4, and maybe even 3rd–is fair game for the pool of Idols Michael thinks he should have outlasted.

Personally, I expected him to go farther, but not much farther. Someone upthread said that he could have switched places with Carly and gone out 6 (while she went out 8). Actually, that would have been a perfectly reasonable scenario. 6th place seemed about right for Michael.

The thing that makes me giggle, is that he still doesn’t understand how the show works, or why he was eliminated earlier rather than later. Like others have said, he played the game badly. So, in the end, maybe his elimination–not such a big shock after all.

MJ should realize that AI is part a popularity contest….dont we vote who we want to remain?……….ergo, he was not as popular as he perceived himself to be……He should reign in his supposed “honesty” as the business in which he wants to be a part of might not look too kindly on him.

I agree that Michael would not have gone that much further. Clearly HE thinks he should have gone a lot further but I don’t think he would have ever finished ahead of Jason or Brooke.

And saying you should have finished fourth is kind of a diss because the flip side of that is that whoever finished fourth didn’t belong there. I mean, if MJ has himself in the top four how does the rest shake out in his mind? The whole thing is a little dodgy.

Wow. I like Michael well enough, but he sure is making it hard to continue that. I can appreciate honesty and bluntness, but that comment just reeks of arrogance, disrespect, and sour grapes – whether he intended for it to come off that way or not.

Michael, here’s reason you did not place higher: you did not expand your fanbase and give more people a reason to vote for you.

I mean, take me as an example. I came in from Hollywood week with Michael as one of my faves. I even voted for him in the semis, along with others. Yet, thanks to a string of mediocre performances from him and a string of great performances from some others (Jason, Brooke, DC, Carly), my loyalty soon shifted, and my overall favorite changed. And by top 12, I was voting for solely David Cook. At the beginning of the top 12, I even said MJ could be eliminated early, somewhere between 9-6 because of those lackluster performances and the fact that a lot of the rock fans he was trying to get voting for him were already voting for David Cook.

I mean, it’s easy to see. As pj and others have stated, he did not play the game well. Vote splitting is a bitch, and at that point, he was splitting votes with at least 2 other contestants (Carly and DC).

ETA: At the end of the semi’s, I had him going out at #5 in my top 12 handicap, which I thought was being generous, due to how mediocre he was in the semi’s.

I think some of these contestants fail to realize also is that what sounds good backstage to them may not sound so hot on TV. To his credit, MJ did say he felt like the judges panned some other great performances (other than his own, lol).

I really think MJ was one of the original TCO’s, so the sour grapes are a little annoying. I’ll check out his music and if I like it, I’ll purchase it.

“He didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t name names, but anyone who finished ahead of himà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’from 7 to 4, and maybe even 3rdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’is fair game for the pool of Idols Michael thinks he should have outlasted. ”

Now please, you need to keep this on the down low, but he meant Syesha but dont tell her just yet, he has to spend a couple of more months with her – ok

I know a lot on here even were extremely shocked, if you look back and review all the posts, that Mj was voted off so early – that is when I first started lurking here and then posting when I switched my loyalty from mostly David C and Mj to Jason and David C. I always wanted the top four to be the Davids and Jason and Mj but that is just me. I just love his personality, funny guys LOVE EM. Like my fav’s on here, the funniest ones, Gwen – Chiachi – Baxter – I have lots of favs for other reasons though.

I just think he is a big dork who is loved by all of the Idols and said something the wrong way and is probably gonna get frogs in his bed or something for it but not hurt feelings because he doesnt appear to be a big meanie. Its not the “grassy knoll” or anything like that I dont think

and OMG. Jason’s cameo in Rami’s interview is hilarious. So is Rami’s reaction. LOL.

Late to the party and all, it wasn’t the smartest thing for him to say. On the other hand, the Aussie charm will help him get away with it. JMO but the tour is controversy free (tad boring) and his comments provide some interest. It’s probably dumb to antagonize AI fans but I don’t think in the end it will hurt him. Unless he starts using “t…s in your mouth” as his catch phrase. Then, it’s all over.

I’m rather annoyed with MJ’s sour grapes vibe. If he had done better, I think he could have gone far, as I think he was the original male TCO (no, I don’t ever think DA was THE TCO). He’s always come off as thinking than he’s better than he is (to me at least).

On another topic all together, I thought Jason’s interview was adorable!

Finally, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll say that I appreciate Michaels honesty. Sometimes, hearing an Idol say all the right things gets a little boring, if Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m being perfectly honest.

I agree, MJ. Michael has a tendency to be blunt and come out with non-PC comments so it was only a matter of time that he’d come out with something he’d be criticised for. I’d rather he hadn’t because it doesn’t matter how charming and modest you can be 99% of the time because it’s that 1% a lot of people will remember. Having said that, I doubt most people would have seen that interview.

I think there’s a difference between who should be in the top 4 (or whatever) and who was likely to be there. Michael didn’t play the game at all so it was unlikely he’d have made it much farther. DC played the game very well and won. Some of them like KLC seemed to luck into a fanbase because she wasn’t even the best of the blondes who went before the top 10. I think based on voice/talent the top 4 would have been DC, Archie, Michael, and Carly. The show isn’t just about talent or the best voices because it’s as much about popularity although do think it was the right f2 in any case.

I think MJ was just saying that he thought he would end up in the top 4. I don’t think he’s thinking what he’s saying through very well. He might not realize what he’s saying.

Even though he’s been giving these interviews every day of the tour, he is still not experienced at it. When I talked to him, he said he really liked Jason and Brooke. He has said good things about the two Davids and has said he thought the judges were unfair in their comments to Syesha.

He just needs to think through what he is saying and change his elimination remarks to just that he was surprised – and go no further.

He is very loose in interviews and he talks to people like he is chatting with a friend. Sometimes that can backfire.

Rami’s interview was so cute

Jason’s interview was so laid-back, just like him

Brooke was affected in her video, with her hair tossing and actions.
She always complaining about something. Does she actually think
she is the first performer to play an instrument and sing LOL, and
then of course there is the poor me and the boys got more fan mail
and have more fans.

Michael’s interview was very funny and informative. Loved the bum in
the girl’s dressing room with the whopee cushion. Glad he spoke his
peace and I agree with it.

Overall these interviews aren’t going to mean a thing one way or
another to their future or success.

Seems that after the show Michael went to the Kat McPhee/ Blake Lewis school of “honesty” and charm. Worked out well for them, huh. Every rude, self-centered, whining, victimized, poor me, super ego driven thought that pops into ones head does not have to come out of ones mouth during interviews on TV, radio and in print.)

IMO, Michael and Carly are not better singers than Jason and Brooke, just different. Musical tastes are subjective. I happen to like Jason’s and Brooke’s voices, music, vibes, personalities, musical tastes, etc, at lot more. IMO, Michael should not have made Top 10. I think that David Hernandez was much better.

Michael received lots of undue praise on sub-par performances in the early rounds, IMO. I definitely did not hear performances which deserved the kudos he was getting. I guess the judges finally gave up on the pimping since he was not living up to it and it made them seem silly to keep it up. It was pretty obvious that Michael and Carly were TCOs during the early rounds.

I don’t think that he was being “honest”. I think that he was being arrogant, conceited, whiny and disrespectful.

SherryL – thanks for explaining MJ, as one who has actually met and spoke to him personally I can understand how he has been misunderstood on here and you would know better than all of us.

and my last comments, he say “I think I would have been” in the final four as did I, not that he “should have been” and I love Australians, they don’t try to make every single word politically correct so as not to offend anyone, they are often cheeky and I will take cheeky over phoney or boring anyday….

MJ has proven day in and day out to be a very giving and humble Idol to all his fans and even other Idol fans, far from being arrogant he understands very well how important fans are to the success of any artist and what a great opportunity this tour is, I wish more artists would remember that. Watch Shannon Doherty in action at a charity event. That’s arrogance personified.

The bottomline however is even if someone is an arrogant SOB, if that person is talented and I get entertained, that is beside the point. When an artist is a decent person that is a bonus but it is not necessary, because it should be about the art, the music and not the artist but our celebrity obsessed society expects that artists have to be role models have to be perfect have to be this have to be that, no they don’t. All they owe their fans really is to put out good music and an entertaining show, if they are musicians or singers.

Elton John may be a pompous diva offstage but I’ve bought his music and paid to see his shows, a good portion of Hollywood and the music world are screwed up arrogant perverted SOBS but we still love the TV shows and the movies they appear on, we still buy the albums and go to the concerts………so you think MJ is arrogant fine, bye bye, go buy David Archuleta records, I think he is the only squeaky clean artist left now, since Miley has gone evil apparently.

MJ is just a pompous, arrogant sob to me now. I liked him on the show, at one point he was even my favorite guy. And then after the show, he lost me with him always hamming it up in interviews. With this, I’ve turned from indifference to complete annoyance. I don’t want to hear him anymore.

Even if his records after AI happen to be good, I have no interest in buying them as I don’t want to add to any kind of success he might have coz it’s just gonna blow up his overinflated ego even more.

This is what bothers me, everyone take a good look at your current CD collection. Is every single artist in there an angelic person ready to qualify for the Nobel Peace Prize and let me tell you Bono is no angel either. In fact many people consider Bono pompous and arrogant. I don’t care for some of Bono’s preachy politics, even his bandmates roll their eyes but do I love U2 music, you better believe it. Do you think Bono is out there signing autographs every night after each concert? Nah he’s off downing some brewskis somewhere.

Again the bottomline is do you enjoy the music or don’t you? If every artist has to meet some unrealistic standard you impose upon them, you have a very small CD collection and you aren’t about music or the art, which is what it should be mainly about. If you buy your music that way, you will miss out on a lot of great music.

Mozart was a very cheeky arrogant party boy but millions of people still enjoy his music. Beethoven was an abusive horrible man but millions of people still enjoy his music. And the reality is Michael Johns is actually a decent guy but if you can’t see it you can’t see it so be it.

edited

Again the bottomline is do you enjoy the music or donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you?

I never said I wasn’t going to listen to it. I just said I’m not going to buy it. I listened to Constantine’s album for free, I just didn’t care to spend my money to feed his ego.

And most of the time, yeah, I only spend my money to buy CD’s of artists that have really endeared themselves to me, one way or another because I feel that they deserve success. Or if the artist’s music is so good that I can overlook whatever personality problems he/she may have (so I guess that’s where U2 falls for you). Otherwise, I just listen to them for free.

Just listening is one thing, shelling out money is another.

I don’t think it has to be such a black and white issue. I believe you can take exception to a person’s comments without finding them to be a nasty human being in general. I understand on the other hand that for some people there’s a point where the line has been crossed, where you find them so objectionable you can no longer enjoy their art. I certainly don’t feel that way about MJ, nor do I think what he said is that big of a deal.

You mention Elton John for instance. I love a lot of his music, and I still listen to it. But, would I go see that blow-hard douchebag in a live show these days? Probably not, because I can no longer stand to listen to him talk.

And, Bono is an arrogant loudmouth with an ego the size of China. I don’t really own much U2 music, and I’m not a huge fan. But, I went to their concert a couple of years ago and it was fanfreakingtastic.

Sometimes, my distaste for a person influences my cd buying, sometimes not. I have no explanation for it and I can’t even measure it on levels of dickheadedness. For instance, I think Michael Jackson has committed acts more heinous than any other entertainer of the 20th or 21st centuries. But, I’ll still pop in the old Thriller once in a while, because it was great effing music. Although – I sure wouldn’t give him any of my money these days.

Of course, I don’t think Michael John’s one little sour-grapesy comment comes close to reaching any of Elton or Bono’s doucebaggery, so it’s not really a fair comparison for me anyway.

Mozart was a very cheeky arrogant party boy but millions of people still enjoy his music. Beethoven was an abusive horrible man but millions of people still enjoy his music. And the reality is Michael Johns is actually a decent guy but if you can’t see it you can’t see it so be it.

DON’T lecture your fellow posters. NO FINGER-WAGGING. It’s rude and off-topic.

I’m deleting and editing posts as we speak.

Well MJ you started the rude fest, just trying to give the other side of it.

If anyone started the controversy, it was MJ… Michael Johns.

Ummm, yeah, it’s rigged. DUH. Does anyone REALLY think Syesha got more votes than Jason? LOL.

Oh, also, did you guys know that Michael had the flu that night? And he was completely different than in any other interview? If you had a fever, would you be bubbly?

Does anyone REALLY think Syesha got more votes than Jason? LOL.

I do.

Part of the transcript from the above interview. Credit to crazyannie23 from MJO.

Q: Do you think you left too early?
MJ: Oh yeah, absolutely. I’m not trying to be conceited or anything. I was never in the bottom three… It was just some weird things happened that week. And I don’t want to be a conspiracy theorist or anything. You know, I was still second in iTunes sales that week, DialIdol… like all the TiVo things… like everything I was either one, two or three. And truly, I think I would have actually finished top four. But, you know I think the two Davids were the right winners.

Usage of SHOULD and WOULD will give a different meaning, don’t you think? :wink1_tb:

Cryptogram,

MJ actually says, “I would have, I SHOULD have finished Top 4….the two Davids were the right winners and stuff like that but…”

:]

I can just imagine what all the other Idols would say if they heard MJ’s 2 seconds being dissected into – Mj is an arrogant, conceited ass. They all seem to love him and probably would completely disagree with that, in my opinion. Carly if you read this please give us your take on this. That would be interesting to hear.

Sumidol,

MJ has his over-confident moments (quite a few of them) but I don’t think anyone thinks he’s some jerk. I personally don’t. But I do believe it would be better for him if he responded with, “I was surprised but c’est la vie” rather than reiterating the fact that he thinks he should not have left when he did, deserved someone else’s place etc. If I thought that, I would keep it to myself.

Honesty is good but humility is admirable.

Zepplin, I do believe from a lot of comments above that some do believe he is a jerk but I am not one of them. I love him and sort of skimmed over THAT comment as he was doing his interview, no big deal – the rest of his interview was so funny and interesting that I didnt think twice about THAT until I saw him being called names on here. I think the Mavid show is hilarious and can see how all the Idols just adore MJ but now I do wish he had just left that remark out too but I didnt think badly of him.

I can just imagine what all the other Idols would say if they heard MJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s 2 seconds being dissected into – Mj is an arrogant, conceited ass.

For me, it’s not just these 2 seconds… after the show, he has very many times commented about how he was robbed, how he should’ve stayed longer or whatever. This new comment from him just further pushes some of those teetering over the edge of annoyance towards him.

Reading back, a few people do think that, you’re right sumidol. Can’t blame them though. His public persona, his comments do often come across egotistical.

After watching and reading so many of his interviews, I believe MJ wanted Cook to win, and places himself (and probably Carly) higher than almost everyone else. I love them all (although I don’t think MJ’s nearly half as good as he thinks he is) but that vibe I get is annoying. I think all the hype got to his head. He needs to leave this alone (/respond differently) and look to the future so people like me who have no life won’t disect his every word lol.

But, this is why I like personalities like Archuleta and Jason so much. I doubt they will ever say a bad word about anyone or pimp themselves up. Archie, well can you get any more humble than that kid?? Jason too obviously. Even after his elimination he said, “I had a blast here, it’s been the time if my life but it was my time to leave. I think the three that are left are oustanding singers.” And, “My mother taught me to never make a person look wrong…I think it’s just respectful.” Take notes MJ

You can be funny and modest without being phoney or dull. But I agree with you about the rest of his interview. It was very funny – the last few minutes spoiled it but he’s a funny guy. Rami’s was very amusing also. She’s super bubbly and quirky-cute.

So, on another note, Carly reads these boards? For definite?

* this SITE, rather.
It won’t let me edit.

And yes, the Mavid show is still entertaining lol.
youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-P_Gc4gPk&eurl

Well MJ you started the rude fest, just trying to give the other side of it.

You are missing my point. The tone of your post was inappropriate for my site.

http://mjsbigblog.com/?page_id=1172

Either follow the guidelines, or don’t post.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“My mother taught me to never make a person look wrongà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just respectful.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Yes Zeppelin just another reason why Jason became and has stayed my #1. I dont know for sure if Carly reads this but I know that Purple sent her mom a message to tell her about the pic MJ took of her and she responded to that and put the pic up on her myspace. So I believe Carly knows about this site anyways. Zeppelin you do word your thoughts in a very calm and nice way – good or bad, I like that. I could learn from you.

And now, not only am I deleting comments, I’m banning people! And thisclose to closing coments on this thread….

[the time] *OF *
Gah, another mistake I didn’t notice. And gah, I still can’t edit lol.
I really should start proof reading.

Coolcool
I do haha? Well thank you Sumidol :]]