Eliminated American Idol 12 contestant, Burnell Taylor, spoke with the press today about his experience on the show, his relationship with Nicki Minaj, and his budding romance with Amber Holcomb! He’s a guy who is constantly trying to improve himself.
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What will his album look like? “I want to make captivating music, period. I want my album–because there is only a few that you can play from the beginning to the end without no skips. I just want to be a story teller and I want to be as personal as I can get. Just be honest. That’s what the industry, I feel, is missing today. ”
What was his favorite part of the season? “The fact that it allowed me to grow. It really allowed me to lose the weight. There’s things that I never would have done if I wasn’t on the show. The show motivated me to do a lot of things, and I’m thankful and blessed that I was even in this position.”
He ended his save song kissing Amber on the cheek. Did she know that was coming? How would he describe their relationship? “I don’t think she knew that was coming. I don’t think nobody knew that was coming. I really like Amber. She really likes me. We like each other. We’re just learning more about each other right now. We’re not taking it too fast because we’re both still young. We’re just taking our time. As far as us liking each other? We really like each other.
How did he keep his composure as everyone cried around him after his elimination. Did he cry off camera? “I was telling them, “Don’t cry, don’t cry because this is not the end. Some people started crying before I even started singing. The reason why I cried–I never knew how much they really cared. We’re all cool. We’re really close like a family. Just to see that they were extra-genuine–it just touched me. I had to show love and break down too.”
Which two judges/mentor provided him with the most helpful guidance for his career? “Anybody that had anything to do with me being on this show–from Jimmy, Nicki, Keith, Mariah, Randy–all of them are good mentors. That’s what they’re there for–to mentor us. And I appreciate all them equally. All of them have a part in my life and the reason why my life will never be the same.”
Can he choose one piece of advice that he was given, that really stuck with him? “In Hollywood Week , it was rough for me. They were telling me that I was pitchy and things like that. I took what they told me and did my homework. I got…all the money that I had for a vocal coach, so that when it was time for them to see me again, I knew it was going to be ‘oh you got it together.’ When I performed the first time in Vegas, that’s the reaction I got from them. It was amazing.”
What is he most excited for on the upcoming tour? “I think I’m most excited about seeing things that I never saw before–different cities. For the most part, I’ve stayed in New Orleans all my life. Los Angeles is the furthest I ever went. I want to see everybody’s home towns. Not only that–I feel like the tour gives us an extra foundation on top of the foundation that we already have–to build that fanbase.”
In his Idol experience, is there anything he could have lived without? “Not at all. Nope.”
Is John Legend an inspiration of his? Does he have plans to make music in that style? Or does he want to do something different? “John Legend is definitely one of my inspirations. As far as me making the same type of music–I feel like there’s already a John. I try to be as original as I can get. I want to do something that nobody ever heard before. I love John. I know I get a comparison with the voice. That’s a good thing. He can sing.”
Why is it such a year for the ladies? What are the guys doing wrong? Honestly, there’s nothing that we’re doing wrong. It’s just calling a spade a spade. It’s a girl’s year this year. I would love to see a girl win. Because it’s been too long since one has won. If a girl wins–the fact that I’m going to know her–makes it a 100 times better.”
Did Mariah offer him any words of support after his elimination? “She was just telling me ‘This is not the end. Take this and run with it.’ That’s what I’m going to do. I feel like it’s what you do after the show.”
What would Burnell like to say to his fans? “I don’t call them fans. I call them family, cause we’re a family. I love y’all so much. No matter what, we shall meet again, Team Burnell…and it’s not going to be too long. There’s no doubt I love ya all.”
When he was standing in the bottom 2 with Janelle, did he feel he’d be going home? “Honestly, I had a feeling, in my stomach , in my bones the whole week. I guess it was just a sign from God, trying to prepare me for the situation. I knew that I had to sing. It wasn’t about me getting saved. It was about me leaving my mark regardless. Performing my song–it wasn’t perfect, but I do feel like I dug deep enough for somebody to reach out to me.”
Would he change any of his performances? “Nope. I wouldn’t change anything. Nothing that I’ve done. Because I done it for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t done the songs that I did.”
What will be his next step? “When I get home, actually, I’m going to the gym because I gained 10 pounds. I’m going to start running. I want to lose some more weight. Besides, that, music wise–I’m going to start back writing. Because I did a lot of writing in my younger days, but I stopped. Just taking the time out to do the things that I need to do, so that when it’s time for me to be free, I can start putting everything out.”
Is there any particular musician that he hopes to work with someday? “I can sit here and name a whole list, and hopefully they listen. I would love working with Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Miguel, Brandy, India-Arie… I just want to be heard, and I want to be appreciated. As much as I can get my voice out there.”
Did he feel uncomfortable, like the judges said, when he sang Bon Jovi this week? Why did he choose the song? “Actually, I had the time of my life performing that song. The fact that I performed a rock song on live television–if somebody would have told me that, I would have never believed them. If nobody is proud of me, I’m proud of myself, because I knew what it took for me to overcome that performance, and shine though it–even though it probably was difficult for me. I just got to roll with the punches and not make excuses for it.”
Was he surprised that the judges didn’t use the save on him? “Honestly? It was already established. And it was already–I knew, I just had a feeling. That’s why I sung my song the way I sung it, That’s why I walked over to the contestants–because I had a feeling that this was the end–for that chapter. Because it’s not the end.”
What was going through his head when he first performed on the Idol stage for a huge audience? “In Vegas, we heard the audience and we were like ‘this could be really good, or this could be REALLY bad. When I went on the stage, and the energy from the audience–it made me feel like I was alright–like I was at home. It took everything away. I enjoyed performing for so many people. For me, the more people the better.”
What did he find the most challenging on the show? “Of course, the themes are very challenging. Some of the times, we don’t know the songs. We always want to pick the best songs. It’s a good challenge.”
Nicki Minaj said last week that she would not save any boys. What is his response to that? “Honestly? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I love Nicki and Nicki loves me. None of that matters, because she showed me that she really loved me…that she was genuine. I don’t let that get in the relationship I have with her. ”
E News reported that he and Amber were singing a duet on tour. Can he confirm? “Where did that come from? (laughs) I never said me and Amber was doing a duet on the tour. That would be nice, though!”
What was the most surprising thing he took away from his experience on Idol? “Being on the show and watching the show are two different things. It’s so different. I always thought that ‘oh we can pick any song we want to sing.’ We do get to pick our songs, but it has to fit into the theme. I was under the impression ‘no, we can pick our own songs, whatever we want to sing.’ It’s not like that. That was kind of surprising.”
Was the routine from day to day difficult? “I appreciate the hard grind, and waking up. It makes us feel like we’re doing something, instead of us at homedoing nothing–not living our dream. It makes us feel like we are living our dream.”
What would he like to say to the kids and teachers at his high school? “I love you all so much. The support that y’all give is just amazing. I cannot wait to come personally to thank all y’all when I get back to New Orleans, just show my love. The love that you all show–I can’t even explain. I love y’all. I ain’t going nowhere. The grind is about to get even harder.”
Will he stay in New Orleans? “It’s a possibility. Only time will tell.”
What did he think of his mini-sessions with Jimmy? “The first time I saw Jimmy Iovine, we had our first interview–I was terrified. And I have tough skin. He’s like another Nicki. When you’re looking for honesty, that’s who you can go to. I appreciate what he’s talking about because he knows what he’s talking about. It’s different if somebody don’t know what they’re talking about. You just take that advice that he gives you and learn from it. Do your homework. That’s what I’ve been trying to do–that’s what I’m going to do.”
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Burnell Taylor – Clevver Music
Burnell Taylor – MTV
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