Allison Iraheta: Vote for whoever's awesome
Allison Iraheta's departure from "American Idol" this week makes the final three an all-boys club. In her post-elimination chat with reporters, the 17-year-old Californian discusses her duet with Adam Lambert, talking back to the judges and what it was like to sing for Slash.
In light of the reviews Danny and Kris got, paired with your well-received duet and your own performance, were you feeling pretty confident going into last night?
It was weird. I've been in the bottom three so many times, I was really prepared for anything. Every Wednesday, I'm just prepared. When it was down to Danny and me, I was like, "Well, it's either him or me," and it was me. I'm pretty happy I made it that far. I'm glad I got the opportunity to be on that stage.
How did the duet with you and Adam come together?
We've thought about doing a duet for a while now. ... "Slow Ride" was on the list, and we said, "That sounds fun -- we should do that." Then he told me about his friend who's done his hair for like two years, and I was like, "I want to go to her." She hooked me up, and we really had fun. It was great. We're even planning on doing it on tour.
Did the other contestants treat you like a little sister? Did they tease you?
There was a lot, but it was so fun. They would pick on me -- say they were having a little argument, and I'd be like, "Yeah!" And they'd be like, "You stay out of this -- you're only 12 years old." ... It really did fell like I was their little sister, and they would really stand up for me. The cool thing is, they'd help me with song choices -- we'd all help [each other]. It was great.
What about the constant comments from Simon that you lacked personality?
Every week it was, "You're so boring" -- I'm boring, I have no personality. I was like, Ugh. OK, Simon. I'm really not the kind of person who talks back ... but [during] the show [Tuesday], he said, "Start begging," and I was like, "You know what, that's it." I really just felt it was the perfect time to stand up for myself [and say] I'm not who you say I am. I'm not boring, first of all, and you say I don't talk enough, so I'm just going to talk. I just felt like it was the right time for me to come in.
You've sung in Spanish as well as in English. Is that something you'd want to continue?
Definitely. If I have the opportunity to, I definitely want to bring back what I first started doing. It would be great.
How shaken up were you and everyone else by the accident on stage before Tuesday's show?
We were very -- we didn't know how to react. It was a great friend of ours [who was injured] -- the stage manager, Debbie. ["Idol" crew member Debbie Williams was injured when the center-stage staircase retracted sooner than expected Tuesday and suffered a deep cut to her leg; she was taken to a hospital and is reportedly doing fine. Her accident was unrelated to another one in which a tower holding up part of the set buckled. No one was hurt.]
But she's doing better, and we were conscious of what was gong on and wanted to know how she was during the show. We heard she was doing fine, so I guess that really helped us continue on and try to do what were going to do. ... That whole day, things were not going well, just not going the way they were supposed to. But I think during each of our performances, we probably started off a little shaky, but we all got into place and continued with what we were supposed to do.
What was it like working with Slash?
You have no idea. When I heard it was Slash, I was like, oh my god, I can't wait to meet him, he's so awesome. I've been a fan of his for so long. It's insane that I got to sing while he was playing for us. It was such a great opportunity. I think he's one of the best mentors we've had, hands down.
Did having Daughtry on Wednesday's show cushion the blow for you at all?
It made me feel better. He's done so much. ... And if he's done well and didn't make it all the way to the top, it gives me a chance. I hope I can do as well as he does.
It seemed like a lot of the comments you got had nothing to do with your singing. Did that ever bum you out?
[Laughs] It sort of did. I was like, "Come on, I'm singing here." But I think overall, they all look at you for what you're going to do as an artist. I know there were a lot of risks I took with dressing and all that. But hey, I had fun with it, so I think that's what matters.
What would you say to your fans now about who they should vote for?
They've got to vote for whoever they think is awesome.
Related:
LA Times: What we lost when we lost Allison
'American Idol' results: Danny stays, Allison goes and life continues to be unfair
'American Idol' rock week live -- Danny Gokey kills a cat
As a die-hard purist Janis Joplin fan (and now Allison fan, as well), I'm extremely critical of people who try to do her songs justice. But I am dead certain Janis would LOVE you, Allison, and I hope you will continue to explore and perform her music. I think she was beaming that great Joplin smile down on you during your performance of Cry Baby. It was fantastic and you should still be in the competition. Looking forward to your CD. :-)
NOW what you retards ya'll said MEGAN JOY would amount to nothing, she's already being recognized by stevie nixes, apparently stevie nixes wants megan joy to play her in a bio-movie. Ya you dummys never thought that would happen, thats just after 2 months of being off the show, just wait til after the tour, I swear megans gonna out star everyone from season 8, just wait and see you lil crack headed snaggle tooth, swine infested pigs...heres the story if you can bare the shame of your wrongness:
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272625888.shtml
They are all good but Allison had the most range she can sing ballads,rock, blues ect... the boys only whats in their comfort zone. They should of used the judges save for her they wasted it on Matt. Knew that was going to happen...
Its Stevie Nicks not nixes and meg will be a one hit wonder for her singing (maybe) but remembered for her weirdness and bird calls thats for sure.
if i remember correctly, i don't think that the judges save could be used at this point. I think that they said it had to be used before they got down to a final four...as in they could use it on someone who was in the final five to save....thereby making it two weeks at a final five and then skipping a final four and going straight to a final three (if that makes sense)...personally i think they used it at just the right time.
YOU are awesome, Allison.
Good luck to you.
I also wish all the best for Megan Joy who was another of my favorites.
I don't really care who wins any more.
Cheers for Allison! I think she will be another who proves that you don't have to win the
show to be a success when she releases an album.
IMO it doesn't matter who wins, or even what the judges say. What does matter is seeing who's music I'm going to be spending $ on.
These are Idol's I'll buy music from:
This Season - Allison, Megan, Alexis
Last Season: David Cook, Carly, Chekezie
To all other contestants, whether or not I like their music, if they made it to the finals, or just auditioned - I give applause for chasing their dreams.