Recently, I took part in a conference call interview with Leah LaBelle, the first finalist voted out on American Idol. Though only 17 years old, Leah handled herself with poise in answering all sorts of questions. Here's what she had to say:
Could you walk us through the making of the Ford commercial that you guys did and talk about that experience?
The Ford commercial was really cool. Basically, we got there and they told us the main plot of the thing. The day before, we went in the studio and learned the song and did a little recording for it. Then, the next day, we went to the place they were filming, and they just took us in there and gave us our costumes (I was a UPS person), and then we just filmed the commercial. It was a lot of fun, and they took us back to the house and we did the rest of it there. It was really cool. We thought it was fun to be cheesy, so we played along with it.
Did they kinda have an idea of who they wanted to feature more?
Yeah, they assigned us who we were and what we were doing, so we didn't get to pick.
How important do you think style is to getting votes on American Idol?
Um, I don't know if style is necessarily a big factor, but I'm sure it plays some kind of role in what people think, because they judge you on everything in this competition. It's not just your talent, and I think it's coming to the point where it's more about your personality and popularity than your talent a lot of the time. I mean, I can't understand why Jennifer was in the Bottom Three, and there are certain things that go on that…I don't always know what America 's voting for.
Did the stylists have any advice or suggestions for you? Did you take their advice?
Well, you know, at first we have to bring our own clothes. But, when we got to the Top 12, they started to give us clothes. But, I have a say in what I wear and what I don't wear. They can't force me to wear something I don't want to.
Is there anyone who surprised you by either making it to the Top 12 or not making it when you thought they would?
Um, I can't say I'm surprised by anyone who made it to the Top 12. I think we all deserved to be there. But, there were people that I think should have made it to the Top…well, we could have made it more than 12, but that wasn't possible. It all depends on what they're looking for for the TV show, and, in the end, that's what it comes down to.
All three judges picked you as one of the two to advance from your group, but you didn't. At that point, did the thought of the Wildcard Show even enter your mind? Did you let yourself think about that?
No, I was just too in the moment, and I was so sad and upset that I hadn't made it that I wasn't really thinking about the Wildcard Show. But, then afterwards, people were like, "Leah, there's always the Wildcard Show. Don't be sad." So, then I thought about it.
So, what was it like when Paula announced that you were her choice?
Oh my gosh…When Paula picked me, it was like the best feeling ever. It was unreal. I mean, who would have thought that I would grow up and that Paula Abdul would pick me as her pick, you know what I mean? It was really, really, really cool. I was so happy.
Did the producers or anyone involved in the show give you any tips or advice before your audition at the beginning?
Yeah, they told me…I sing in a gospel choir, and I'm used to doing a lot of gospel-type stuff, and they told me to lose the runs and stuff. I'm a big "runner" and I like to do runs, and they told me to keep it low-key on those. They say that when people do that it tends to show that they're trying to cover up for what they can't do. They also told me to keep my vibrato a little shorter, because I tend to make it really thick, and that causes me to get off-key sometimes. They gave me a lot of positive, constructive tips.
What are your thoughts on Simon?
Oh…Simon. You know, he's Simon and he's made out to be worse than he really is, I think. I think a lot of times, he says stuff for TV and he does stuff to conflict with the other judges for the controversy. You can't really be mad at him, because he's expected to be mean. I was never really hurt when he would tell me stuff, because he never liked me from the start. So, I was never expecting him to like me all of the sudden. You know, he's OK. He's not the most friendly guy in the world, but he's OK.
What about Ryan Seacrest?
Ryan Seacrest is great. He's so nice. He's such a genuine person. For being so successful, he's so honest and so down-to-earth. He's really cool.
Who do you think will win?
Honestly, I don't know. The show goes in so many different directions, and people…I never thought Jennifer or Amy would have been in the Bottom Three with me, so you never know. Whoever wins is going to be deserving of it, because they've gone through so much to get there. I'm rooting for all of them.
What is next for you? Are you headed back to Seattle soon?
Yeah, I go back tomorrow. But, I don't think it's gonna end here, you know. Paula and Randy both told me that this is just the beginning and that so much is gonna come out of this for me, you know. So many doors have opened. So many people have watched me. So, I'm going to just keep going do what I have now that it's fresh. I'm going to see what I can do to start making my dream come true.
What is it like standing up on stage and watching that final video montage? You just probably want to walk away…
It was so difficult. I felt like I had died, you know? I mean, the music was playing, and my face was there, and…it was very…it was very well put-together, and I really liked it because it showed my whole experience. It's a great thing to have, but it was so sad to see everything I went through because it reminded me of how much fun I was having throughout the whole thing and how much I wanted to be there. I was standing on the stage watching it with all of them, and…it was really, really hard.
Will you be coming back at all during the rest of the competition?
Yeah, definitely. I'm going to come back and support everybody later on in the show. I'm not sure exactly when, but I will come back. I think everybody comes back for the finale. I'm not sure, though.
Do you think the judging is too harsh? Do you take what they say as motivation, or does it make you want to walk away from all of this?
Um, I don't think it's too harsh. I think they're all really honest and real. Like Simon…Like I said, he's expected to be mean, and he never really liked me. So, when he says mean stuff to me, I'm just like, "OK, Simon." Sometimes, though, he says stuff that can help me. Like the "rip in the designer dress" thing was helpful, because when I was practicing with the vocal coach, sometimes I'd do something, and she'd say, "That's the rip in your designer dress", and she'd help me fix it. Randy and Paula…when they say something mean, that hurts the most just because they've always been nice to me from jump, and to me, they're the most honest and…they give the most real opinions. Sometimes I think Simon says things just for TV and to be conflicting with what the other judges say. But, it does help a lot if you listen to what they have to say and can use it to help you.
Let's talk about your mom. She was there with you at every turn. What did she have to say after the show Wednesday night?
She told me…she was like, "Why are you crying? Don't cry. Smile and be happy." She said, "Look at how far you got. Out of 70,000 people, you were in the Top 12. There were 12,000 people in New York, and you were one of two that got this far." She said, "This is such an accomplishment and something is going to come out of it, so don't give up. Keep your head up." She was real supportive.
The fact that your parents were in entertainment…is that what spurred you on to get involved in it? Did they try to talk you out of it?
Oh, no. They basically let me do what I wanted to do. Probably, if I never would have wanted to sing, they would have been supportive. But, I've just always loved music, and it's just always been around. I just love it so much. So, I would have done it regardless.
If you could pick a theme and a guest judge, who/what would you like to see?
I have two guest judges. The first one I would want would be Lauryn Hill, and it would be like a Neo-Soul Night. She's my favorite singer, and I love neo-soul. Then there would be another night where Beyoncé would come, because…well, OK I have three. Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys would be my three guest judges. Oh, wait…hold on…and Stevie Wonder (*laughter*).
When you got to the Top 12 stage, is there anyone that surprised you in terms of their creativity or ability? Is there anyone that made you go, "Whoa…I didn't know they were that talented"?
Not really…I mean, because I had heard everyone so much throughout the whole Pasadena process. Although, Latoya was kinda laid-back more in Pasadena. She was great there, but once she got in the group, it was like, "Whoa…where did you come from?" They didn't really show her much, and then when she came out and sang that night, I was like, "Whoa…I did not know you could do that."
If you could sing a duet with anyone you wanted, who would you choose?
Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, or Alicia Keys.
…and Stevie Wonder?
Oh…and Stevie Wonder! (*laughter*)
I heard Randy and Paula came back and talked to you after the show on Wednesday. What did they say to you?
Randy was like, "You didn't do your best, but you know what you can do and you know how much better you can be." He was like, "Keep your head up. This is only the beginning for you. Somebody will see you. Somebody will pick you up." Paula was the same thing. She said, "You have always been a star to me, and you didn't put out everything that you can, but you are so deserving of this. You did great." I told her, "I'm sorry I let you down", and she was like, "You didn't let me down. Don't worry about that. By no means did you let me down at all." So, she was real cool about it.
What do you think about non-winners like RJ Helton and Josh Gracin getting record deals?
I think it's great. I think everyone in the Top 12 deserves a record deal. I mean, we've come so far and just because you don't win, it doesn't mean you're not talented.
What did you do the night you were voted off?
I went backstage and talked to the judges. I talked to Paula for quite a while, and she was really, really helpful. Then, I went to dinner with Diana Degarmo and her family. Then, we went back to the house, and we were so tired. So, I actually wrote a couple of notes to some of the people and left them on their beds. Then, I went to sleep.
Did you have to move out the next day?
Yeah, I packed my bags the next morning and said goodbye to everybody. It was really hard.
Do you think you'll keep in touch with any of them?
Oh, yeah. I told Fantasia, Latoya, Amy, and Camille that—oh, and Diana—that they better call me every day or else (*laughter*).
Did you watch the previous two seasons of the show?
I watched the second season, and I have the first season on DVD, so I watch it all the time.
Did you have any favorites from those two seasons?
Yeah. Tamyra and Kelly were my favorites from the first season. Oh, and I loved Ryan Starr and Christina Christian. In the second season, my top favorite was Kimberley Locke, and I loved Ruben.
Randy and Paula have both said this is the best Top 12 yet. How do you think your group compares to the other two seasons?
Um, I don't know how they can really compare, because we're all different. Every single one of us is an individual and a different type of performer. But, I think overall our group is amazingly talented. Putting us together was a good thing, and I think the tour is gonna be great.
My thanks to Leah for answering all our questions, and to the people at FOX for allowing me to be a part of the conference call.