Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks Top 2 Conference interview

05/19/2006 mjsbigblog American Idol 8

Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks Top 2 Conference interview. thanks xocyxs and folks who posted in comments

Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks took part in separate press conferences today.  Here’s what they had to say according to USAToday. I’m posting highlights here.  Click the link–it’s worth the read.

Katharine McPhee’s interview:A picture named Top3Katharinec.jpeg

  • On the songs for the finale, “The cool thing is that this week we get to sing songs we’ve already sung on the show. I’m going to pick songs I can sing with full confidence, knowing the judges liked them in the past, just picking songs I know I can do well and the audience liked. At this point, I feel so much freer. It is still a competition, but we both have won, we both have record deals now. I just feel so grateful at this point that anything that happens, I don’t think I’m going to take any steps backwards at this point.”
  • The week that Chris Daughtry went home was not her best week, “Being able to go to Graceland was so fun, but I had a feeling, when I found out it was Elvis week, I thought oh jeez, I’m the only girl … and the judges had been hard on me. I felt a little defeated that week, in terms of my performances. I felt I couldn’t get it right. .. I just thought I was going home. I was preparing myself. ” And when Daughtry was announced: “It kind of made me feel pretty (expletive), to be honest. Then the next week, I fired back and I’m still here.”
  • What does she say to people who thought she looked excited when Elliott Yamin was voted off this week, sending her to the finales? “I didn’t hear about that. But I figured that might be the case. It’s an awkward thing. You’re excited and in the top two, but someone’s going home… It’s a ridiculous notion to me that you can’t be excited to be in the top two…I made it through! And it was such a close margin. And I apologize for looking happy, I guess.”
  • Taylor is more relaxed on stage, “I think Taylor is really free on stage. If I get nervous, I clench up and I’m not as free and spontaneous, but I think that’s something that Taylor’s really good about doing. But we’re both so different, it’s going to depend on what America wants.”
  • What kind of album she’d like to make, “I was just having a meeting about that this morning. I’ve gotten (the best) response from people when I do simple melody kinds of things. I definitely want to put out a pop kind of album, have some bluesy sound to it, some soulful sounds. Like Joss Stone. And I love Norah Jones. I think it could be jazzy but also bluesy and contemporary, something that could be in the top 40.”
  • She would love to be in movies, “I would love to do film. Before American Idol, that’s kind of what I was pursuing. I had an agent and I was going out for television and film every day like every other actress. Now it’s cool but I have doors open — I’m hoping that doors will open for me. I took acting very seriously. I was going to school for theater, majoring in musical theater in college so obviously Broadway would be something I’d like to put on my resume some day.” And she says she “love to have” a career like Kelly Clarkson’s.
  • The pressure gets to her at times, “In rehearsals, I’m a nervous wreck. …I have definitely crumbled over pressure. I’ve gone behind closed doors and cried. There were weeks when I would call my closest friend and I would cry, I just don’t think I can do this any more. I would totally crumble. But the important thing is the show has to go on and you have to look like you have it all together. I definitely don’t have it all together… If you feel good about yourself and what you do, it doesn’t matter what people say.”

If Katharine continues to complain about the judges being hard on her, she’s going to lose votes.  The judges are hard on everybody.  The criticism was tough and unfair when she sang the Whitney tune “I Have Nothing”,   but after that, the judging was fair, even when the critiques were negative.   Her answer to the Elliott Yamin controversy question sounded a little defensive.  Having said that, it’s obvious the pressure has gotten to her, and might be influencing her reactions. 

Taylor Hicks’s interview:A picture named Top3Taylor2c.jpeg

  • What happened to his harmonica? “It’s a singing competition. That’s what I was told. It’s a singing compeition. … I love to play guitar and harmonica. I’m going to actually be able to play some guitar and harmonica when the contest is over. There might be a harmonica solo or two in the finale.”
  • Can he describe his dancing? “Connecting with the lyrics and melody of the music. Connecting with the lyrics and really feeling. Each song you want to try to live the song as much as possible. Doing that, if you really get into a song people will be able to feel what you’re talking about.”
  • What are his opponent’s strengths? “She has amazing vocal runs. She’s had some great moments on the show. It’s so cool to see somebody that talented with that amazing vocal talent. I’m a fan.”
  • Can he be marketed for mainstream fans? “I’m a musician and I’m going to be a musician and soul singer for the rest of my life. In this business, I’ve been denied many times. That’s something that has interested me. Mainstream music is an interesting beast. If I play a part of that in the next year or so, fine. But somebody will be seeing me be funky somewhere.”
  •  Before Idol, how often was he performing? “Eight nights a week. You have to really love music. I think I’ve been dancing and singing ever since I was 3. I caught the bug when I was 12. At 17 or 18 I had some wings I got to spread and I just started playing guitar. It’s an affection for the music. I would play high school baskeball and then sneak into local clubs to play harmonica.”
  • What is he looking forward to most about the tour? “The bus.” Having a tour bus was something he dreamed of as he traveled around playing clubs before Idol. After his run with Idol is over, he plans to continue pursuing that dream. “I’ll probably live on my tour bus… I might have some little lake place somewhere where I can sit on a porch and stare at some trees and water. But as far as what I’ve always wanted to do — is be on a bus. My home has been the road, even before American Idol. My Birmingham apartment has been there, but I’ve been only there for a few days and I’m on the road. A tour bus with some good cold iceberg lettuce, that’s where I’ll stay.”
  • What will his album be like? “It’s just going to have to be a really good representation of who I am as an arist. There’s going to be something I’ve never been able to do creatively, before American Idol, and possibly a little bit cutting edge. There are some things in my mind I think would be cutting-edge music. I’m about creating a good piece of artwork.”

Taylor wants to make a “cutting edge” album.   Hee.  Good luck with that.  If Bo Bice is reading this interview, he’s giggling.

 

Idol Tonight

The TV Guide Channel’s red-carpet show Idol Tonight,  hosted by Kimberly Caldwell (Season 2) and Popstars winner Rosanna Tavarez will feature six hours of Idol coverage starting on Monday.  Note the former Idols who’ll be dropping by as guests.  I spot two of my favorites from Season 4 and one from Season 3.  Damn, they’re forcing me to record this crap! Heh.  Here is the schedule for next week:

Monday, May 22: Season two finalist Kimberley Locke and season four finalist Constantine Maroulis will join Kimberly and Rosanna on Idol Tonight, along with vocal coach and assistant music director Debra Byrd, and David Luner, Vice President of Licensing for FremantleMedia. Premieres 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT; 6:00-7:00 p.m. Central.

Tuesday, May 23: A special two-hour Idol Tonight will precede the final performances on American Idol with the two remaining contestants. Kimberly and Rosanna will be joined by season three finalists George Huff and La Toya London, season four finalists Nadia Turner and Anthony Federov and celebrity vocal coach David Coury. Premieres 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT; 5:00-7:00 p.m. Central.

Wednesday, May 24: Hit the red carpet with Kimberly and Rosanna for two hours of live coverage at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood! The ladies will pump up the fans for the final results show of American Idol as they interview former and current Idol finalists and the American Idol judges. Special guests will include season three finalists Jon Peter Lewis and Jasmine Trias, celebrity stylist Sam Saboura, and celebrity vocal coach Roger Love. Premieres 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT; 5:00-7:00 p.m. Central.

Thursday, May 25: An Idol Tonight TV marathon kicks-off with encores of the previous day’s live red carpet finale show. Airs 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET/PT; 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Central.

Friday, May 26: TV Guide Channel will premiere a one-hour “Idol Tonight” special to wrap-up this season’s American Idol. The wrap-up show will include lots of special guests, including the winner of American Idol.  Also featured will be American Idol music director and pianist Michael Orland, and US Weekly fashion cop Steve Kemble, who will discuss the “American Idol” red carpet fashion. Paul Ollinger from Yahoo! Buzz will appear on the show to profile Idol online stats and searches from this past season. Premieres 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT; 6:00-7:00 p.m. Central.