Dish Of Salt: Friday TV Dish (Chatting With The ‘Idol’ Eliminees)

This week, I did better in my “American Idol” predictions, correctly guessing three out of the four contestants who would be going home – Jermaine Sellers, John Park and Michelle Delamor. It was a toss up for me between Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown. I guess I underestimated the power of the Texans. The red-headed country girl got to stay, while 16-year-old Haeley’s “Climb” (she sang the Miley Cyrus tune this week) on the show was a short one. This morning, I had a chance to chat with all four eliminated contestants.

Park’s ‘Purple Haze’ Return
John says now that he has been let go, he plans to return to Chicago where he attends Northwestern University. “I’m going to go back to school I think. Most likely. Resume and finish my degree. I’m just going to kind of see what’s out there for me,” he told me this morning. He said he has no doubts that his a cappela singing group Purple Haze will take him back. “Are you kidding, of course. That’s like my family. I’m just so excited to get back and sing with them,” he added.

John also said he still has a massive crush on Shania Twain, who was a guest judge during his audition. “Shania is forever in my heart. How can you not love her?!,” he said. So, why is 20-year-old John so smitten with the country crooner? “I’m actually very into cougars. I am single. So all you cougars out there. Holler!”


Haeley’s Prom Dilemma

It’s back to high school for Haeley who is happy that she will be back in time for her prom at Poudre High School. One small problem. “I don’t have a date because I don’t have boyfriend,” she revealed to me. “Music is my boyfriend. That sounds so lame!” Somehow I don’t think she will be dateless for long!

John agreed with me chiming in, “They will be lining up!”

Jermaine & Michelle’s Simon-ized Nerves!
Both Jermaine and Michelle told me this morning that they knew they did not connect emotionally with their songs. The reason, they say, is due to not being able to calm their nerves in front of the judges.

“We’re terrified when we go out there,” Jermaine told me. “This is Simon the whole time, ‘OK, it was a catastrophe.’ and we’re like, ‘OK, well we just got up here and sang our hearts out to you and you’re still telling us the same thing.’ Come on stop, can you at least say something nice Simon? Just once?”

Michelle said it’s the judges chatter that distracted her. “You have four judges that are kind of like critiquing every little thing that you’re doing while you’re out there performing, trying to pour your heart out, but then sometimes they’re talking amongst themselves while you’re singing, you get nervous.”

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