American Idol 12 runner-up, Kree Harrison,spoke with reporters this afternoon about her American Idol journey, celebrating her birthday with some awesome news, and looking forward to making some music. I also posted a few interviews from last night/today at the bottom of the page.
On signing with Lyric Street at 10 years old, but subsequently parted ways with the label. “I didn’t know then exactly what I wanted to do, because I was 10 years old. I knew exactly what I didn’t want to do , which was more of the bubblegum pop country that was kind of happening at the time. It wasn’t the right time. It wasn’t necessarily that I was butting heads with the label. They were amazing to me, and more than anything, taught me to stay true to who I was. There was a lot of things that happened–a lot of tragedy in my family. I think it was good to sit back and do some soul searching. Not just emotionally but as an artist. I felt like this through this whole Idol journey, it’s taught me so much more that–everything I’ve been through and all the experiences that I’ve had in the industry just makes you exactly who you are. And that comes out in your music.”
How has she developed an upbeat outlook in life despite experiencing tragedy, “I think at the end of the day, it’s a choice. You can choose to live your lives happy and whatever happens to you, you take with a grain of salt. For me, this is the sweet after the bitter that I’ve had in my life. I like to share that, make people feel the same way.”
How did she feel about Keith Urban’s sometimes harsh critiques of her performances? “The four judges–I respect so much and always have. And especially Keith because we’re both country singers. If at any point he gave me critiques, I took it as constructive criticism, because at the end of the day, you can’t really grow if you’re not listening and learning from your peers. I always took it to heart . I’ve always had a problem in the beginning of my career being able to connect emotionally, just because it is a harder thing to do, to open up. But I feel like, through this process it’s really happened, and I feel so good about it.”
On her friendship with Kellie Picker and the rumors they would get matching tattoos if they won their respective competitions, “OK. This is a joke that’s just gone wrong! I talk to her all the time. But I haven’t heard from her. I’m sure she understands that it’s a whirlwind. But I will definitely talk to her. And I’m so freaking proud of her. I hope she wins Dancing With the Stars. I’m rooting for her. I know the Idol family is too. Me and Angie and Janell voted for her. We’re so proud of each other, and I’ve gotten to see her at the studios. She’s such an amazing woman and friend. I hope to collaborate soon.”
What is she most looking forward to when she gets home? “I’m not going to be mad about laying in my bed. I definitely am going to get as much rest as I possibly can. We’ve been working our butts off. More than anything I [want to] sink it all in, everything that’s happened. I can’t wait to go back to Nashville and make music.”
How soon before her album comes out, “My single is released, which I can’t even believe I can say that out loud. It’s on iTunes. I hope y’all are going to go purchase it. I don’t know! The tour is tomorrow, and I feel like–I have the world in my hands right now to make a good record and I’m so happy about it. As soon as I can, I’m going to start writing and collaborating with other singer/songwriters. We’ll see what happens. I can’t wait to share it.”
Why the new single is the right choice for her, “I was so happy this song was pitched to me. Steve McEwan, Katrina Elam and Gordie Sampson wrote this song. I feel like it’s 100% me and I couldn’t be more thankful to call it my own. It’s definitely got the traditional country roots and the soul that I want. I feel like, lyrically, I couldn’t have [written] this song better myself. I hope that people love it, I really do and look forward to the rest of the record.”
She’s going to play it on the Grand Ole Opry, “Today’s my birthday, and it’s the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten in my life. One of my life long goals is to play the Grand Ole Opry and to stand where all of my peers and all those country music legends have stood. It’s going to be hard not to kiss that circle. Keith Urban told me! And I cried. It was a very special–it was a good moment. I’m happy that we shared it.” Keith told her Thursday at the show.
On the judges. Who is her favorite, which one does she respect the most? “They brought so many different things and opinions and advice to me. I can’t imagine just picking one. Last night, being able to play with Randy and Keith–obviously Travis–but those two judges. I’m so thankful. I couldn’t possibly pick one. I do love Keith and I hope that we get to collaborate more in the future.”
After the finale performances, did she think she would win? How much did she want to win? I think that we were all–we were in it to win it, as Randy would say. But at the end of the day. The title for me is not just the American Idol. I’ve already reached the limit of creating a following. And that’s what each of us came here to do. Standing there last night with Candy, I was so freaking proud of her. And she’s so proud of me. We’re living our dreams right now, whether or not I have that title. I feel like I have won. I’m runner-up. But I’m so blessed that I could be part of this Idol journey. It’s made me even more of an artist. I’m happy. I’m over the moon about it.”
When she was standing there with Candice waiting for Ryan to reveal the winner, what was going through her head? “What was going through my head was what I was saying out loud. We were both telling each other how proud we were. I said ‘if you make it, if you win, you better sing your butt off!’ She was laughing at me. Have you heard her? I’m so freaking proud of her. She’s incredible. We’re both rooting for each other–both of our singles.”
Did she feel that she had an equal shot to win against Candice? Based on their final performances, and the judges’ comments, “I never know what’s going to happen. It’s always been in America’s hands. The truth is, the whole Top 10–we’re all so completely different. And especially me and Candice. It’s apples and oranges as far as music goes. I had no idea what was going to happen. Either way, the result–was a win win for both of us.”
Was she shocked when she advanced to the final instead of Angie Miller? “I was! If you can’t tell, I’m not a very good actress. What you see is what you get. I definitely was shocked. I feel like all of us deserve it, but I think it was just the moment of reality. I tried to live in the moment each step of this whole process. Whenever he [Ryan] called our name, I just couldn’t believe I would be able to perform another week. I was just so happy. The support–you feel it at that moment–wow all of you people voted for me to sing another week. That was such an amazing…yeah I was shocked.”
How did she feel after the show last night? How did it feel to be reunited with the Top 10? What did she do to celebrate? “They all sang Happy Birthday, which was really awesome. We had the freaking show of our lives! Are you kidding? It was so much fun. I tweeted earlier. The best part about it was celebrating the finale with the Idol family. Not just the contestants, but the whole crew. You become so close to these people, that you work with every single day, It’s been every waking moment with each other. It was very special. It was an amazing night.”
What is she looking forward about working on her record in Nashville, “The whole process is exciting in itself, because it is such a process. You write, you listen to the songs, you go in the studio and you create what is yours. It’s like birth–it’s like creating your baby to grow up and share with the world. It’s what we live for. I can’t wait for all of it.”
Why did she choose to go first after the coin toss? “You know what? At that moment, I was just ‘I don’t care if I go first or second’ It’s just the two of us. I get to sing at the finale, and I’m freaking excited about it. I don’t know. They said ‘what do you want’ and I asked her first, and she said I want to go second, so I said fine. I don’t care. I was just so happy to be able to perform again.”
What will she sing on tour? On wanting to perform “Up to the Mountain”, “Honestly, I don’t know, but I would hope that people would give me suggestions for what they want to hear, because, I think that I could pretty much pick anything. Not just the songs that I performed on the show. I would love to sing ‘Up to the Mountain.’ I’ve always been a huge fan of Patty Griffin. She wrote that song, and she’s an amazing singer. There’s a connection with that song. I’ve always loved it. My mom loved that song. I would love to bring that energy every night.”
What would be her advice for hopefuls auditioning for Season 13? “Pace yourself. But more than anything, I feel like, the beauty of coming into such an instant situation in competition, is that you have to know who you are as an artist because, I feel like that’s what will make you stand out.”
What did she do after the show? “The adrenaline that me and Candy were feeling last night was over the moon, so it was hard to just go and sit down. We were so exhausted! We went out to the wrap party and started to hug everybody that we’ve made family with, basically. They all sang Happy Birthday and obviously we celebrated just the Top 10 and each other, and the fact that we’re going to go on tour. It was a really fun night. And then I went to sleep, because I was exhausted.”
What did she learn from the other contestants? “So many things. I’m inspired every day by how much we’ve all grown, to be honest. We all bring something totally different to the table. The fact that we get to go on tour together, and get to do that every single night is such an amazing thing. But they’ve taught me so many things. I’ve learned a ton.”
Who is she most looking forward to hearing on the tour? “Everyone! I couldn’t possibly choose one. I am excited to collaborate, for sure. Hopefully me and Candy get to do another duet. Obviously Angie–just all the girls, really. Angie’s like my little sister. We’ve roomed together since Vegas. I’m so freaking proud of all of them. Janelle’s performance last night–I couldn’t believe it. She’s a star. She killed it, she really did. I was so proud of everyone.”
What surprised her most this season? “Just how much work goes into the show. Not just for us, but for everybody. There’s so much hard work and people behind the scenes. I had no idea that that really happened that way. I’m happy to be a part of that experience–to make such good friends throughout this process.”
What will she miss most now that it’s over? “The Idol family. Really. I know I say this a thousand times, but. The cast and crew–I adore. We spent every day together for awhile. I’m really going to miss them. I’m going to try and stay in touch with as many of them as I can.”
Carmen Rasmussen from Season 2 asked the next two questions for the Deseret News. How does she feel that Idol has changed her, not only as a person, but as an entertainer. What lessons has she learned? “I’ve learned to keep being myself. I feel like more than anything, that’s what people love. It’s relatable to be just who you are–especially as a performer–put down that wall as much as possible.”
Does she have any rituals she performed before the show? “Right before we’d all walk out-especially us girls–and we’d just dance around and be silly and take in the moment. You know how it is! It’s fast paced, it’s cool to share that experience with such an amazing cast.”
Who would she like to collaborate with in the future? “Honestly, there’s so many people, for so many different reasons, I couldn’t possibly name one. I know that June 4, I’m playing the Opry, and I can’t even really even fathom that–it’s so crazy. I know Keith Urban will be there so maybe something will happen. I would love to collaborate with him. We’ll see.”
When she allowed Candice to sing last, did she realize she had such a knockout song? “Every song that Candice sings are powerful. Of course I did. I’m so freaking proud of her. I thought it was the best idea ever to start that a’cappella. It brought something different to her second rendition of that song.”
Did she get several choices of songs? “There’s a team of people constantly working throughout this whole process. I honestly really do trust them. They’ve worked their butts off trying to find songs for all of the Top 10. I’m lucky enough to be able to have found the perfect single. Whenever they did play it for me, I knew immediately that that was the one. Because, lyrically, I mean every word. I believe that it’s such a good country song. People seem to really like it , and hope they buy the rest of the record.”
Closing remarks: “I want to thank y’all so much. Wherever ya’ll are, you should come out and see the tour. I know it starts June 29. I’d love to meet all of you.”
‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Kree Harrison: ‘The Next Step Is the Best Part’ – Kree Harrison looked not the least bit bummed following her second-place finish to Candice Glover on the American Idol finale Thursday night. “I’m so proud of her and proud of myself for getting this far,” Harrison told reporters after the show. “I couldn’t believe I was standing there with her at the finale. … I felt like this is just the beginning — this is not the end of the road for any of us.” – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Kree Harrison Tells Fans To ‘Stay Tuned’ – Kree Harrison isn’t letting her “American Idol” loss to Candice Glover get her down. In fact, she’s got some big plans for the future — plans that might even involve departing judge and “Idol” vet Randy Jackson. “It was sad. We’ll see each other. I know we will,” the 22-year-old Texas native told MTV News after Thursday night’s “Idol” season finale. “I love him and apparently we have a mutual friend, which I didn’t even know until the other day. And, so I would love to work with him in the future. I adore him.” – Read more at MTV
Interview with Ryan Seacrest
Access Hollywood
Kree Harrison post show interview American Idol Finale
