It’s pretty well known that Anoop Desai is a savvy internet surfer. So, when I introduced my self to him, I expected some sort of reaction. Instead I got…the stare. Gulp. Well, alrighty then. I was pretty critical of Anoop, especially early in the season. But I warmed up to him later in the season–I thought he was just hitting his stride when he was eliminated.
Not to worry, Anoop was very polite, if a little prickly. In the end, we had a good interview.
For instance, he told me he plans, after a few weeks at home, to move out to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. In a few days, (August 20) his contract with Idol ends, allowing him to “pursue other avenues.” As far as a record deal, he’s had discussions, but so far, “It’s all talk right now.”
And since you peeps wanted to know? Anoop SO TOTALLY does the “Single Ladies” dance backstage during Lil Rounds’ set as he’s waiting to take the stage… “Oh yeah totally, every single night, every single night, ” he laughed.
On playing the North Carolina State Fair in October, Anoop says, “It’s really exciting, it’s something I went to every year, it’s really cool to be able to sing there.” Right now, he’s in the process of putting the set list together and deciding who will play with him on certain tracks. But he’s going to make the big decisions on that once he finishes the tour.
One of Anoop’s fans suggested I ask him about something his mother said in an interview–that when he was a freshman in high school, he had his whole life planned out. “That plan changed very early and very often, ” Anoop smiled, citing college as the place where he learned “how to roll with the punches.” At one point, he planned to go to law school, but that plan changed.
Who would Anoop like to open up for on tour? “Crisette Michele, ” he says, “She’s a great neo soul singer, ” He added, “You should check her out.”
One last tidbit: The guys don’t jam on the bus. “The bus is more of a quiet area, ” he says, “We’d like it to be a chill zone.”
