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'American Idol' Exit Interview: Ramiele Malubay

By Daniel Fienberg

April 3, 2008 2:32 PM

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Although her bio on the American Idol website lists her favorite quote as "If you're hated, you're doing something right," but it's hard to imagine anybody hating Ramiele Malubay. That doesn't mean, though, that she wasn't prepared for her elimination on Wednesday (April 2) night.

"I kind of felt like I was going home last night, not to be like all negative or anything, because I'm really not that kind of person," Malubay tells reporters the morning after. "I just felt it a lot more when Dolly [Parton] sang that song. I was praying while she was singing and I'm all 'Oh, I'm going home.' But it's OK. All of us have to leave sometime. There's only one winner."

That's two or three weeks in a row that the Idol bootees have steadfastly declared that they saw their eviction coming. For Malubay, though, the booting came after a Dolly Parton Night performance of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" that she says she was proud of.

"I actually didn't know the song and I didn't know any other songs aside from 'I Will Always Love You,' [which] is the obvious song that everybody knows," she says. "I picked it and it was either that or a ballad and I listened to the song and I wanted to challenge myself to see how I could take a song and make it my own even though it wasn't in the same genre or the kind of music that I'm kind of into. I'm proud of myself that I actually like moved on stage, performance-wise. I felt that I grew that night."

Sigh. For the 4'11" Florida-based singer, that almost sounds like an invitation to make a short joke, but Malubay's been able to laugh at her stature all season, whether it led to jokes from host Ryan Seacrest or if caused all of the contestants to view her as a sibling.

"I'm older than [David] Archuleta and he'd walk by me all the time and pat me on the head like I'm his little sister," she laughs.

Malubay admits that she felt extra pressure after her Top 24 Round rendition of "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" earned raves from the judges.

"Honestly, the first week, I didn't know it was such a big deal, up until people were telling me like, 'You did really well' and I'm like 'Did I?'" she says. "So I was like, 'Crap.' And I let that get to my head and I'm like 'Crap. Now I need to try and do better than that.' When you overthink things like that, pretty much you just overthink it so far that you don't know how to handle yourself anymore. Sometimes you just overthink it and the song just gets out of hand, it's not in your control anymore."

Malubay, who lived in the Philippines until she was five, sees hope for her future in the post-Idol success of Jasmine Trias.

"I definitely wanted to go back home, because it's home," she says. "I wanted to see what I can do over there. I'm pretty sure I might have something over there and following in her footsteps, she led a lot for me to follow, so I'm very grateful for her for being the first Pilipino American Idol, to go and be on the show and be doing big things."

For now, Malubay plans to stick around Los Angeles to see what opportunities present themselves in music or in acting. She also has plans to move in with her friend and fellow Idol contestant Danny Noriega, though that will probably have to wait until after the Tour.

"We're a fun duet," she raves.

A couple other highlights from Malubay's exit interview:

On her professed desire to be the first Asian-American Idol winner: "I felt a little bit of pressure, just to see how the fan-base would grow and stuff. It was so flattering and it was really exciting, but then again I was like 'Oh, I have to do well, not only for myself and not only for my parents, but for people of the same race and the people supporting me.' I got as far as I could and I hope nobody's disappointed."

On whether or not her height was a disadvantage: "I just hate wearing heels. If I don't need to, I really won't. That's why last night I was like 'Oh screw it. I'm gonna flats tonight.' I wore flats last night and I was like, 'The world's gonna see how tall I really am' and standing next to Carly in that long line, you saw how tall I really was."

On what she learned from her Idol run: "I learned to be more of a humble person. I learned to take things in more, to appreciate the little things and to be more courteous to people and to acknowledge every person who works on the show, because it doesn't work without every single person who helps you out."

in American Idol , Interviews , Post-Elimination

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| Comments (23)

Comments

Now that ramiele was voted off in AI, we don't like to watch the remaining episodes of AI anymore. this girl has talent, charisma and good attitude. she should have stayed for more weeks.

marie | Apr 3, 2008 10:04:54 PM | #

i hate seeing ramiele go. i kinda like her voice and wanted to see her given another chance.carly should have been voted off not her!

tess | Apr 3, 2008 10:24:04 PM | #

i hate to see ramiele go. i have voted off carly who have been in bottom three for three weeks.

tess | Apr 3, 2008 10:31:27 PM | #

I luve every bit the show,when i see her around.

Raymond | Apr 4, 2008 12:53:52 AM | #

Win or Lose I love Ramiele. I am a 54 year-old woman and I feel like she's a daughter. My youngest perhaps:-) My youngest son is 24.

Thanks

Cheers!

lotusflower | Apr 4, 2008 5:32:44 AM | #

Win or Lose I love Ramiele. I am a 54 year-old woman and I feel like she's a daughter. My youngest perhaps:-) My youngest son is 24.

Thanks

Cheers!

lotusflower | Apr 4, 2008 5:33:39 AM | #

She never lived up to her potential so I won't miss her. Next to go should be Kristy.

Erika | Apr 4, 2008 10:22:27 AM | #

You are not going to watch AI because Ramiele got booted off??? You can't be serious. It would have been far worse to have her stay in the competition when more talented performers were being voted off. Nothing is worse than overstaying your welcome. Yes, she's nice and cute. So what. She has been consistently bottom three for WEEKS.

vncntdl | Apr 5, 2008 8:02:35 AM | #

tess go check ur ears carly is the best singer in the competition

gfr | Apr 5, 2008 12:34:29 PM | #

Sure he has a great voice. Sure she's 'cute'. But as everyone reading this knows, it's not America's Best Voice or Cutest America. American idol is a populatiry contest, seeded by the judges with the 24 most interesting and likely profitiable people they could choose from the thousands who apply. From there, those people most likely to call a voter-based reality show decide a winner. While there is a skill set involved in getting farther into the contest, being the 'best singer' or 'sweetest little thing' won't get you votes.

Relax. Don't claim that 'you'll never watch again' because you will.

Up until he forgot the words, it was Archuleta's contest to lose, everyone knows that. Now, it appears that D.C. has a fighting chance. Neither guy is the 'best' but they sure are popular. So have fun! There's too much in the world to REALLY feel bad about. Smile and wish the winner well.

idol_realist | Apr 7, 2008 8:02:44 AM | #

Ramielle actually has a good voice but she needs to grow as a performer. The big stage was just to big for her. A little experience under her belt and she might have a bright future.

jbw | Apr 7, 2008 9:22:26 AM | #

I'm with lotus..

Won't miss her. Next should deifnitely be Kristy.

Scarlet | Apr 10, 2008 1:21:31 PM | #

I thought Ramielle was good... but she really isnt all that. shes the one i look forwad in seeing on A.I. and my fave of all, but there's something about her voice that isnt something I like to hear on the radio. But good job Rami. Hope good things come ahead. Rep the AZ pride yo.

an idol fan | Apr 10, 2008 2:51:20 PM | #

an idol fan | Apr 10, 2008 2:51:32 PM | #

AI is no good anymore because ramiele got voted off her voice is great and i think she is a great singer she should get to win the show and get to the top of the charts. I am a nine year old girl and i think all the people who hate ramiele are crackers i wish i could have her as my big sister that would just be so cool. idol_realist is so not cool and ramiele is cute shes got a great voice and there isnt anyone out there better than her. Thanks Aisha

melody | Apr 22, 2008 9:54:50 AM | #

melody | Apr 22, 2008 9:55:01 AM | #

heyup melody u r crkrs ramiele is crp.

idol fart | Apr 22, 2008 9:57:02 AM | #

heyup melody u r crkrs ramiele is crp.

idol fart | Apr 22, 2008 9:57:10 AM | #

im not talking to you idol fart

melody | Apr 22, 2008 9:58:22 AM | #

im not talking to you idol fart

melody | Apr 22, 2008 9:58:29 AM | #

I love Ramiele soo much. We should all support her in everything she does.

Check out the website I’m part of also: http://www.ramieleofficial.com