'American Idol': Allison Iraheta no longer 'Alone'

There was an American Idol conference today with all the advancing contestants from last night. Here's what Idol's youngest contestant, Allison Iraheta, had to say:

You have absolutely been the best so far, for me. I wanted to ask you about the state of your nerves before and after you performed and also about why you picked "Alone."
So my nerves, obviously, you can tell about how much I'm nervous before I sing. I really try not to show them while I'm performing because I try to focus on the song and not on what's going to bug me. Obviously, anybody who is performing on a stage like that is going to get nervous. As for the song, I love the song "Alone" and I love the band Heart and I really wanted to do that song.

Did you have any sort of fear about picking that song, not only because it's a big song but because other people have done it?
I did think about the fact that Carrie did it, but I really focused on me and how I would do the song and just gave it a little taste of what I can do. Not change it but, ya know, we're all different and I just wanted to give it a little "me" in the song.

I'm curious to know how you are going to approach Simon's comments about the personality thing.
He doesn't know me enough, I guess. He said I'm boring, but, honestl, I'm not. I was nervous. I mean, who isn't going to be nervous? I guess I'll just chill a little bit more because the nerves got me a little.

What did you think about Paula comparing you to Kelly Clarkson?
I have to take that compliment, ya know. That's a big one; it's Kelly Clarkson. She's amazing and I really admire her a lot, so I thought that was pretty great.

Who do you have in your iPod right now?
Kings of Leon

What is the first album you ever bought?
It was a Queen Vol I and II Greatest Hits dual CD.

Do you feel that you have any advantages or disadvantages because you're the youngest contestant?
I think it doesn't matter what the age is, if I'm the youngest or whatev. I think what it comes down to is we're all here for the same thing and it depends on how much we want it and how much we prepare and we're all here for the same thing.

Last year was a great year for Latino candidates. What are your roots?
My parents are originally from El Salvador.

You and Adam are both from LA, so what's it like for you to be performing in your backyard essentially?
It's pretty awesome. It's a thrill to be here. Everybody wants to go back home and I'm like, "Yay, I'm already here!"

So do you have a lot of family support?
Most definitely. All the contestants here have their family support and that's really what we all need ... I have a big family and they're all very supportive.

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