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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > April > 24 > Entry
4/24: In defense of Brooke & Jason, Carly Smithson exit interview
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Michael and Carly gone, there is building animus toward Brooke and Jason for very similar reasons.
Both are sweet, sweet people with limited vocal skills. Both are talented but fairly one dimensional. Both are more comfortable behind an instrument. Both emote quite nicely and sell their songs when they’re really into it. Both seem mildly awkward when interviewed. Both feel like real human beings on and off camera. The fact is likability over pure singing got them into the top 5. And no matter how badly either do, I have a hard time hatin’ on either of them.
Down the road, I think more people are going buy their albums over those by Syesha, Carly or Michael. I suspect both have those types of dedicated fan bases that can translate into ticket, merchandise and record sales.
And this proves once again the sbow has and always will be a popularity contest, not a pure singing contest. But there’s nothing wrong with that.
Plus, we know it’s going to come down to David & David anyway. Nobody truly expected Carly or Michael or Kristy Lee to make it to the final two. And I can’t see Jason or Brooke making it into the final two either unless something truly bizarro happens. It’d be great to see my early prediction of Syesha in the top 3 come true!
-Anyway, here’s what Carly Smithson had to say during the weekly elimination press conference.
She is, as I recall when I first interviewed her, a sweetheart and articulate, conversational and gabby (so gabby, she took far fewer questions than any other contestant so far this year.) She also has a good sense of humor and is very grounded. She said multiple times how grateful she is for the experience and is happy to be sixth. She’s truly heartfelt about everything she says. After every reporter, she said, “Thank you so much” with real sincerity.
“I think I made enough of an impact to be able to reach a good fan base,” she said. “I get to be me without the theme nights and make a cool record.”
Being sixth: She wants to see her husband and take a break, too. So she isn’t disappointed. As one of the reporters noted, she is far peppier and far sunnier than any prior contestant this year on these interviews. She said if she had finished 10th, she might have been more bummed but she’s cool with sixth.
**On how she changed over time on “Idol.”: “I realized not to take everything so seriously. Early on the show, they set the standard so high for me. They were a lot harder for me than a lot of contestants. It got to me for a few weeks. I think by the time I met Mariah Carey, I had changed my mind. She was just so cool and so normal and so nice. They want us to be stars. I come from a bar. I have no idea what a star is supposed to act like. When we met her, I realize I can just be normal. That’s cool.”
A second chance?: Although she had a record deal years ago, she said this feels like a first chance, not a second chance. “It’s so big and such a different experience,” she said. “It’s such a gift.”
She’s ready to make a record and write her own songs and stop doing cover songs (though she’ll have to do more covers all summer on tour.)
During the show, she said she was the “camp counselor,” consoling others, giving them support.
What she misses most? “I miss the most are my pots and pans. I’m a kitchen gadget nut. I miss my kitchen so much,” she said.
When asked her favorite “Idol” (other than herself), she naturally demurred as they seem to be trained to do. But she said her favorite of those eliminated was Amanda Overmyer, her former roomie.
What would she have sung on Neil Diamond week next week? “Sweet Caroline.” “I wanted to do a ballad version. I did such an uptempo song this week, I wantet to do it with a cello and piano, make it slower. It’s such a big, big song. It’s such a recognizable song. Neil Diamond has such amazing songs, such a huge catalog. We were amazed by the songs he had written but were sung by others.”
Her past: “I kind of started the show with some bad press. And I don’t think it helped me much.”
About fumbling her lyrics and saying she got it right last night, which some perceived to be a diss about Brooke, when in fact she was just talking about herself: “The song was so last minute. When I sang for Andrew Lloyd Webber, I had learned the other song, ‘All I Ask of You.’ There are a lot of works in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ I fumbled on a few of the lyrics… I was so irritated! Last night, I got them all right.”
**Nobody asked if she felt her tattoo hurt her with Middle America. I’m going to try to talk to her Monday and ask some follow ups. But here’s what she had to say about the tattoo on her arm, which everyone (including this week’s mentor Andrew Lloyd Webber) thought was Amy Winehouse?
“It’s a geisha,” she said, with a chuckle. “It’s just not colored in. I love the tattoo but it really bothered me it wasn’t finished. We never got any time… By the time it’s done, she’ll look nothing like Amy Winehouse!”
Comments
By Deirdre
April 24, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
I always liked her…both singing and personality. She’s the kind of person you want to make sure to include at a dinner party of social gathering…chatty, funny, outgoing, friendly and interesting. I’ll miss her.
By flats
April 24, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
FIRST!!!!!WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!
By KPH
April 24, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
D. I cant believe you were first and didnt say so LOL! Where do you think Carly’s votes will go now or do you think her fans will stop voting? I think probably David C.
By JTesla
April 24, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Rodney, you made some very good points prior to the interview portion. Great analysis.
By KPH
April 24, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
It was a small town and the patrolman was making his evening rounds.
As he was checking a used car lot, he came upon two little old ladies sitting in a used car.
He stopped and asked them why they were sitting there in the car. Were they trying to steal it? “Heavens no, we bought it.”
“Then why don’t you drive it away.”
“We can’t drive.”
“Then why did you buy it?” “We were told that if we bought a used car here we’d get screwed. So we’re just waiting.
By flats
April 24, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Bottom 2 was right on last night.What’s all the fuss?Jason’s getting the gay and chick vote.Brooke..male and church folks.Sasha needs to find a fanbase.
By JTesla
April 24, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
OK Flats I’ll play… the mysterious gay vote that you keep speaking of doesn’t exist. If it did Danny and David H would have made it much farther than they did. After seven years of Idol there are only a few voting blocks that have been proven to exist: the southern voters, the county voters, and an unholy horde of teenage girls.
By Menana
April 24, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Good interview RH. Carly did strike me as being one that would console others, A few times you would catch a glance of her douing that. Never would have figured her to be a kitchen person. I will say that she handled her exit in a very mature and professional manner from what little bit I was able to see of the show. If she shed any tears last night, no one has mentioned it. Hopefully, her dream will happen one day soon.
I will do some research on Neil Diamond and see what songs I can come up for next week. If I do, I will post and see how many of you agree or disagree with my choices.
By Deirdre
April 24, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
KPH…I’m almost certain that Carly’s voters will switch to David Cook. Some(those who prefer female voices) will go to Syesha. I can’t imagine anyone who liked Carly voting for either Jason or Brooke. They’re like polar opposites.
I think Archie has all the voters he’s going to get. I don’t see anyone liking him better now than at the beginning of the season. He hasn’t improved at all.
By flats
April 24, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
JT….you’ll play????I’m not asking you to do anything.OH!!!!BRAVES LOST AGAIN!
By JTesla
April 24, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Deirdre I agree 100% with your 2:42PM comments.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Menana check out this website for a list of Neil’s songs written and co-written, and a lot of other info! you can look at the list alphabetically OR by year the song was written. you can even see who did a cover of a Diamond song! pretty cool site.
By JTesla
April 24, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the Braves Flats. They will give you a good winning streak one of these days.
By Izzie
April 24, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Carly is the best!!! I wish American Idol wasn’t such of a popularity contest as it is! Carly technically was the best vocalist there! She cannot stop the fight now. Her dreams are finally coming true. She has the true potential of being huge in the music industry..she needs to continue being herself, staying humble, and keeping herself in the public eye! Carly Love 4 life!
By flats
April 24, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
OK…WHAT HAPPEND????
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 24, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz mumbled huh? mutter…. lemme alone, tryin’ t’ nap! ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz
By flats
April 24, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
LINNY…WAKE UP AND HAVE FUN!!!!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 24, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
nnnnhh nhhhh… leeeme alooooone! wanna sleep! ~¿~zzzzzzzz
By JTesla
April 24, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
It’s the blogs typical 3:00PM to 6:00PM slowdown. Come back in another hour and the night shift will start to show up.
By Harmony
April 24, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Hello.
Menana, sorry to hear about your daughters kidney stones, my youngest has had 4 in the last two years.Is it just me or are kidney stones more prevalent these days?
I agree that people have already decided who they like at this point in the competition and are not likely to change their votes now, they will like a particular person for a multitude of different reasons.
By War Eagle
April 24, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Never had kidney stones. I think the beer keeps everything flushed out.
I’ve been in Dalton all day. Not impressed.
By JTesla
April 24, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Where’s flats?
By War Eagle
April 24, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
JT, I was wondering the same thing. I guess he is not around. Go ahead and get it before someone else does.
By Bich Lien tran
April 24, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
dearest Carly Smithson, last Night I was so sad you are leaving you are my favorite idolize my favorite idolI wish you were here in Singapore I live here.
so Carly please come back I really miss you so much I need you and I have a dream about and me in my dream so I holding your hand and we walked together and laugh we both tickle each otherI love it
By Bich Lien tran
April 24, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
Carly you win and not Elimnation out Jason Castro he suck so Lousy the song is “memory” for Carly and David Cook with Jason Castro is out both of them. is suck and Stupid B******* Daivd with that hairdo is messy and oily please pretty Ryan vote for Jason Castro with Daid Cook. out thier are Lowest Vote please Let Carly stay
By David
April 24, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Twentyfifth!!!!!WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!
or 26th, 27th, 28th… there is a heck of a lag here
By Bich Lien tran
April 24, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
my idol is Carly Smithson the Best ever and very Amazing so awesome the most Strongest Vocal Voice Syesha Mercado she is lookalike Whitney Houston so Sexy and nice Strong voice for Brooke White try not forget the Lyric of Andrew LLoyd Webber song try to memorize the word
By Dee
April 25, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know the name of the Andrew Loyd Weber song David A. sang Tuesday night?
By Deirdre
April 25, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
It was called Think of Me.
By harrietth
April 25, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Morning. Dierdre, any thoughts about Neil Diamond songs? I have been looking at his albums on Amazon, trying to remind myself about what is available.
By Wal
April 25, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Did anyone notice that “freakshow” of a husband Carly has. I think the cameras had been avoiding him until this week when it was unavoidable.
By Deirdre
April 25, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Actually Wal, they’d been showing Carly’s husband for a few weeks now. You must have missed it. He’s a walking advertisement for his profession.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 25, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
As has been pointed out somewhere before, tattooing is considered completely differently in other cultures than it is the the USofA… the Celtic-derived cultures are far more likely to be not only tolerant but admiring of tatts, and that’s Carly’s background. It’s a fascinating study in sociology, actually, but I don’t expect many to be interested in that aspect.
harrietth, did you see the link i posted yesterday about Diamond’s songlist? not sure which blog it was on, but i did post the link. i guess i should see if i can find it and re-post it, eh?
BTW the new thread is now open for comments (the one re: Anwar Robinson)
By dolfin
April 25, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
linny - thank you for remembering my comments yesterday, you are spot on about the Celtic heritage. I am 50% welsh 50% english but was born and raised in Wales, with a strong Celtic heritage. Someone also asked recently if Carly’s hair is naturally black or dyed - quite possibly natural, from her Celtic roots. Most ancient Celts had black hair and dark brown eyes. linny - I for one am fascinated by sociology and LOVE to chat with people from other cultures. One of my best friends is from Trinidad and I love to hear of her life there.
By Leah
April 25, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
During one of the flashbacks they showed on Carly, when she was a child, she had a mass of ridiculously curly, dirty blonde hair. Her hair is definitely dyed and straightened.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 25, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Leah, not necessarily. For example, I have a picture of my dad when he was 2 — ‘white’blonde hair, i mean so light it was almost pure white gold. By his teens, he was much much darker in color, and while i was growing up, you might consider his hair black it was so dark brown. then of course it went to white-silver instead of gold, this time, LOL. My oldest son, also, had extremely exTREMELY light blonde hair until he was a teenager, and much to his disgust, it just sort of faded to a “dirty blonde-brown” and now it’s just plain ol’ brown. And MY own hair was dark brown, VERY curly and thick until i was about 7 or 8 … for some reason my mom decided a perm might help put some control in my hair, and it virtually straigntened it …. the curls never came back quite so strongly either.
soooo..
And LOTS of moms think it is soooo cool to perm (or if not perm, then roll into curls) a daughter’s hair, especially for pictures … not sure why.
so unless you were there, you don’t — you CAN’T — know.
not to be rude, just pointing out that what you look like with regard to hair at 2 or 5 or even 10 may be totally different than you look at 25 or 30, even withOUT chemical fixes.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
April 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
harrietth: here’s the Neil Diamond song website i mentioned
btw, peeps, the Anwar thread IS open for comments now :-)
By Leah
April 25, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
During one of the flashbacks they showed on Carly, when she was a child, she had a mass of ridiculously curly, dirty blonde hair. Her hair is definitely dyed and straightened.
By Leah
April 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
During one of the flashbacks they showed on Carly, when she was a child, she had a mass of ridiculously curly, dirty blonde hair. Her hair is definitely dyed and straightened.
By harrietth
April 25, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Linny, thanks for the list. I have been trying to listen to snippets on Amazon, too. Menana has a proposed list over on one of the other threads. I’d be interested in some of your thoughts on possible songs/performers, too.
By Leah
April 25, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
linny - you are absolutely right. I was not there, so, I cannot say for sure whether Carly’s hair is dyed and straightened or not. And, just as you said, there are exceptions to every “rule”. I apologize. Please forgive me.
By Crazy Tom
April 25, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
When she MET Mariah Carey? What?!! Way to challenge her on that statement, Intrepid Reporter —- she had already met Mariah 7 years prior to American Idol. You know, when she was working with Randy Jackson at MCA. Maybe, oh just maybe, the fact that she constantly manipulates the truth might have had a little something to do with that bad press early on.
By JTesla
April 26, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
Somebody puts a little too much faith in VFTW.