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'American Idol's' Paul McDonald: Coachella is his kind of music, Crest helps his pearly whites
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Paul McDonald was the latest contestant sent home from "American Idol" - but nobody seemed terribly upset. It's not that nobody liked Paul, but it just felt like his time and he went out with grace and a good attitude.He tells the press in his exit interview about his experience on the show (plus, he confirmed that he is in fact dating "Twilight" star Nikki Reed!).
On what he was up to before "Idol":
"I've been touring for about five years, doing my own original material. I've been living in Nashville for about two years. I've been up there and trying to make it. [My band] just released an album, i guess, in November, right before all this TV stuff happened. That's where my heart and soul is, my blood, sweat and tears. ... hopefully I get to work with those guys soon."
On his "Idol" journey, changes he would make:
"It as one of those things - some of those song choices that I did probably weren't the best ones for me. When I first tried out, this whole thing was just kinda for fun. I never expected to get this far. When I get up here, I probably listened to some people when I should've stuck to my guns. I wish I had done some more obscure artists, more of the type of music I'm used to. I felt like it wasn't me all the time. Other than that, it was good. I had a good time. It was an amazing learning experience."
On wanting to do original songs:
"There's a bunch of singers all around, but it's good to have people that are also artists and can write and showcase who they are as an individual. That's my main thing. I'm actually not very good at playing other people's songs. [Original songs] showcase who you are as an artist more than singing other people's songs. There's only so much you can do singing other people's songs."
On his unique style and very white teeth:
"It was funny because the hair and makeup team would be like, 'We don't need to to anything to you today' and I'm like, 'Cool' and the stylists is like, 'We like your clothes better than our stuff' [laughs] My friend back home Manny made [my suits] for me. I get to keep them forever, I'll wear them for my birthday, New Year's [laughs] I just kinda did my own thing and it was good enough for 8th place, so I'm happy about that ... I'll say [the white teeth] halfway natural. I've never had professional whitening done at the dentist. I've always used Crest Advanced Vivid White toothpaste. I don't drink coffee, I don't drink cokes. My teeth have always been white, my sisters are the same way. It's in the genes, man."
On what kind of music he hopes to record:
"The stuff that's happening at Coachella right now, that's my kind of music. My main goal is to make music that lasts and that people enjoy. The reason why I play music is to let loose my feelings and write about real stuff."
On reactions from celebrities:
"It's cool getting to see people who have been in the business or are successful in their own right come up and say they're fans ... it's super humbling to have people like that think that my art is good. We walked in the hotel the other day and Kurt Warner was there and I'm like, 'Dude, what's up?' and he says, 'I'm a fan, I watch the show, you're doing good' and I'm like, 'You know who I am?'" [laughs]
Does it he think it's harder for the girls on "Idol"?
"I definitely do ... I remember walking on stage and I'm looking around and I'm like, 'Oh, there's one poster that says Paul' but then there's like 1000 screaming 14-year-old girls with a Scotty McCreery poster. It's tough for the girls because they're so talented."
And did he lose any music cred by going on "Idol"?
"That was one of my main concerns. Is it worth the credibility? ... All these legit bands in the music biz are calling me up and are like, 'Aw, dude, I can't believe you're doing that show.' They're happy for me now, they think I dropped out at the best point. I think it's good. It's a tough call, but I think I can bridge that gap. I'm going to try to cut a great album and if I do that, that's the main thing. If I have a great record, I'll have the respect of the music community. 'American Idol' is great, they've done nothing but help me."
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Photo/Video credit: FOX
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First James talks of avoiding a Pepsi moment... then Paul plugs Crest and says he doesn't drink cokes. I wonder what Coca-Cola thinks about these references. Congrats toPaul and Nikki. And I liked Paul's Maggie May, both times.
keep in mind, we're from the south. a lot of people use "cokes" as a general term for sodas. it's like, "hey, do you want a coke? what kind?".
cokes are different than Cokes.
whatever. I'd believe him if he said he used Crest White Strips. toothpaste doesn't cut it.