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Thursday, May 15, 2008
5/15: Syesha Mercado interview: “I want to do everything!”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Film! Broadway! An album! Books! An organic restaurant! Start a lupus charity foundation!
“I’m real goal oriented,” said Syesha Mercado. who is all about optimism. “I write them down and keep looking at them.” As she later noted, “I want to do everything!”
I noted to her that Paula Abdul twice Tuesday said she sang songs that didn’t define who she is. So I asked— who is she really as an artist? “I’m a mix of a lot of things. I think that’s why people say, ‘She’s Broadway!’ I’m like a black Christina Aguilera or Alicia Keys. I definitely see myself putting together a Christina Aguilera album like the one she recently did [which had Broadway elements in it.] I could do a ‘Diary of Alicia Keys.’ I like pop and I like R&B and I like old-school musicals. I’m growing into an artist and developing. I’m glad I did ‘American Idol.’ You were able to see the transition I went through. I’m still learning about myself every day… People will know who I am.” [As you can see, even she can’t define herself in 25 words or less the way we can the two Davids or Brooke or Jason.]
For my folllowup question, I asked her to clarify her comments equating her own experience to the Civil Rights movement in relation to the Sam Cooke song “A Change is Gonna Come.” I wasn’t sure she was aware that it was a rather uneven comparison and thought she could give us some clarity. My interpetation: she says the song meant something different to her in terms of her own life vs. what the song meant to an entire generation, not that there should even be a comparison per se: “It’s a signature song for the Civil Rights movement. For me, it meant something different. It took on a completely different meaning. It came during a transitional time in history. This is a transitional time for me. For me, a change is gonna come.”
On how she changed during the show: “I consider myself a hard worker. I’m always rehearsing. almost overworking. When I first stepped into the competition, I was in this little shell. I came in with a negative mindframe. It was harming my performances. Over time, I became more comfortable with myself. There’s a fine line between overworking and doing so much, you’re no longer having fun and letting go and taking it all in. I was more satisfied as the weeks went on. I’ve learned how to relax. I learned ways to deal with stress.”
On her dad’s struggles with alcohol and drugs: “It made me the humble person I am. Having my dad struggle made me sad a lot of my life. It made me understand people more. I told myself I won’t let this determine what my future will be. I will help my dad and encourage him. I’m going to make him proud of me so he can make me proud of him. It’s motivated him to stay sober and clean. It’s a beautiful story to tell.”
On wedding bells with her fiance: “I’m a live in the now person. He’s so supportive. We have a mutual understanding. We’ll do it when the time is right.”
On her mindset each week. “I never packed my bags. They told us to do so but I never did because I didn’t want to go home! I talked to my family a lot. They helped me stay strong.”
On singing that “Happy Feet” song My nieces and nephews watch that movie over and over again so I knew it. I h ad to make it as good as I could I’m very positive. Whenever something is in my way, I block it all out. What can I do to turn this into a positive and make the best of it. I tried my very best.”
On her feelings after Tuesday night: “I was like, ‘It’s over.’ I got too many bad comments to keep me t here. But I moved on and made peace with it. I couldn’t feel bad about it. I don’t feel like i failed.”
Other upbeat cliches she uttered. “I’m at peace. Only great things can come from here on out. We don’t know what’s in store for us. I’m proud of being the last girl standing. I’m honored to have had a great opportunity like this.”
