'American Idol' Exit Interview: Michael Johns
Every week the evicted American Idol contestants chat with the press and for the past few each contestant has given a variation on the "Oh, I knew I was going home" answer. The same cannot be said for Thursday's (April 10) bootee, Michael Johns.
"I'd be lying to say I wasn't shocked," Johns says, the morning after the most surprising elimination of this American Idol season. "I mean, I hadn't been in the bottom three and I thought definitely the last two or three weeks had been strongest. But we're in this competition and stuff can happen and it did."
While the Internet is a-buzz about the various factors led to Johns' dismissal, the 29-year-old Aussie gives little credence to judge Simon Cowell's repeated insistence that choosing Aerosmith's "Dream On" on Tuesday's Inspirational Songs Night did him in.
"I'm living my dream and that song's all about heartache and struggle and overcoming things and I've done that in the last 10 years," he explains. "You know, living in America and getting to live my dream. Dream on until your dreams come true. And they're coming true right now, so that's why I chose that song, for sure."
Cowell criticized the song choice both on Tuesday night after Johns' performance and then on Thursday after his elimination, generating disagreement both times.
"Sometimes Simon is off the mark, to be honest," Johns tells reporters. "Most time he's on and I respect his opinion a lot, but he wanted me to sing that soul-blues stuff every week ... I'm a rock-soul singer. I like to do both genres and so I wasn't necessarily going to just pander to what the judges said every week, you know what I mean? You have to go out there and say, 'This is the kind of record that I'm going to make and this is the sound that I do.' And some weeks they loved it and some weeks they didn't."
Johns didn't hesitate to address what may be the week's biggest controversy, host Ryan Seacrest's reminder that nobody went home during last year's Idol Gives Back week, a statement that ended up being a big tease.
"Look, I get the television aspect of this competition, but it was tough," he says, "because I thought, 'OK, I'm going home' and then they said that and I'm like 'Oh, wait a second. I'm not going home, maybe they're just having a good laugh.' I hadn't been in the Bottom Three, so I was thinking that was a possibility, but when reality set in and Ryan gave me a look as if to say, 'I'm so sorry I have to do that.' But you get it. You're in the business and you get it, so I won't hold it against Ryan or anything."
For now, Johns is just happy that his departure has stirred strong emotions and that he'll be missed.
"Nothing's sunk in quite yet, but the backlash that I'm seeing, just snippets in the press and talking to you guys, that means a lot," he says. "It means that I struck a nerve somewhere. This year, more than any other year, I really believe, especially with this Top Eight, you can't let your favorite go, 'Oh, he had a great week' or 'She had a great week' and 'I'm going to give them half of my votes and then I'm gonna do the other one that didn't do it so well.' A split vote like that can happen and unfortunately the people that you thought were going to be safe go home."
Other highlights from Johns' exit interview:
On his plans to continue his professional path in the United States: "Will I live in Australia again? Maybe when I'm older? I don't know. But for me, my life and career are here. I love it here. I've been here 10 years. My whole adult life's been here, so it's kind of like ... I mean, obviously I'm not American, but I don't really feel Australian anymore so much. It's weird."
On whether his fashion choices may have played a role in his exit: "No. I don't think so. I mean, the ascot that killed America? No. It was a fun outfit and it was time to step it up a little bit stylistically and I went for it. No regrets there."
On his hopes for the future: "Winning the thing or not winning Idol, it just really depends on the artist, it depends on what album you make afterwards, it depends whether or not on the show you were absolutely true to yourself and did not change and I think that the people who have succeeded after Idol, from the Kimberley Lockes to the Carrie Underwoods, that's the one common thing, is that they're themselves and they stay true to their hearts."
Michael Johns is a cl*** act! I expect to be seeing him alot in the future.
Stunned and booed from home. I thought the rush, due to all the "Idol Gives Back" stuff was tacky. "Idol Gives Back" is good, but the show is about the American Idol.
The contestants were all given short shrift because of the time constraints. And the "tease" was crude and mean.
There are others who definitely should have gone home before Michael.
Very disappointed. Will only watch Archuleta and White and then tune this show out.
Michael, you are talented and will do well.
A fan.
Michael will be sooo missed! I am in total shock! I voted for Michael dozens of times. I had him pegged for at least the top 3 or 4. He was my favorite. I may just skip the show now for several weeks till the top 3 contestants. (I won't miss the obnoxious and loud Screaming Mimi female fans in the front rows who often drown out the singers on stage!) I'd buy Michael's CD in a second just from seeing him on the show. Consider it a blessing that you weren't the overall winner, Michael, and can start to craft your career and record the album you want on your own like non-winner Chris Daughtry did before you.
This is a joke.
I will not watch American Idol anymore.
He was the best!
The only other one who compares is David A.
VERY UNFAIR and Ryan Seacrest's comment was down right mean. Why did he do that?
I am so upset I can hardly write this. You didn't eliminate the bottom three last year but you did this year.It seems unfair... what was your reason for doing it this TIME? Whatever the reason it seems to have backfired on you..all of my friends feel that this system has eliminated someone who should hane been a "finalist"-Michael Johns.Boo to you!!!
Agree with everything above. Back to Wed night.
Robin Williams act was mean and cr***. And, Uh, Idols shilling for Jesus? Ugh!
I was shocked and dismayed at how American Idol has become a teeny bopper event. Jason and his dreads should go as he looks disinterested and p***ionless but stays in because of the young and inexperienced voting audience. Is this about talent and p***ion or hair and goofiness! Michael Johns is a true artist and gentleman.
Ryan Seacrest should be eliminated for the way he handled Michael Johns' elimination. If Seacrest thinks that all the controversy caused by his cruel tease will increase ratings, he's wrong. It's having the opposite effect - people are tuning out instead.
What a travesty this show has become. This is a perfect example of why America's music business is in trouble. Old Clive only wants malable Tweener pop singers; the really good ones over the age of 21 with great voices seem to be systematically snipered. If little Davy A. wins this over David Cook, that will be the end of it for me. He belongs on Nickelodeon. This stinking mess really violates my sense of right and wrong, ya know?
I'm boycotting AI from now on and I will never, never watch again. I hope all MJ fans boycott too. I hope he gets record deal soon so this unfairness is reversed.
It's absolutely unbelievable that MJ got booted out. Not only had he never been in the bottom 3, his songs on iTunes were the 2nd in sales.
Why do the judges rave over other David's and Jason's 'originality' when they are only copying covers that were not as widely known. They've misled the voters.
It's absolutely cruel that Ryan mentioned that last year, nobody was booted out. There's absolutely no purpose for that statement.
Good luck to MJ and I hope he makes good records.