For someone who was just eliminated from the country’s biggest reality competition, Carly Smithson is surprisingly happy. “No more theme songs!” she jokes with reporters during a conference call Thursday. “I’m not that sad to be leaving. I enjoyed every minute there really, but we’re back in two weeks to start preparing for the tour and the finale.” Smithson also clarified the comment she made Wednesday about remembering her lyrics (it wasn’t about Brooke White!), who she has tattooed on her arm (it’s not Amy Winehouse!) and why she believes the guys have an advantage.
What was going through your head when you heard you were in the bottom two?
Not one person feels safe anymore. We’re all just grateful for the experience. I know I feel American Idol has given me such a gift, such a platform to be able to launch myself off of.
What do you make of Randy [Jackson] saying it was a popularity factor and Paula [Abdul] mentioning the fan basis last night?
I agree a little bit. … But I think the boys this year [have an advantage]. Women vote for the show. It’s obvious. I definitely feel the girls had a bit of a struggle this year with trying to get the popularity vote. The boys are definitely charming the females a lot and they’re very talented too.
There’s a feeling that it’s going to come down to the two David’s. Do you see it that way?
I have no idea. It’s anyone’s game. People have they’re favorites already if you know what I mean. It could be anything. [Jason] Castro could look into the camera and bat his eyelids, go into his amazing falsetto voice. Brooke could melt someone’s heart. Everyone’s so different. Nobody saw Michael Johns going home. No body saw Alaina Whitaker going home. There’s all these shocking eliminations. There could be another shocker.
Do you have a favorite?
My favorite went a long time ago. My favorite was Amanda Overmyer. She was fantastic. Obviously, I love all of the rest of the people. I could never pick a favorite.
After you sang last night, you made comment about remembering the lyrics. Some people thought you were referring to Brooke, who forgot her lyrics but made it through to next week. Were actually talking about yourself?
Oh yeah. That song was last minute. When I sang for Andrew Lloyd Webber I had learned the other song, “All I Ask for You,” and there’s a lot of words in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” I fumbled on a few lyrics and I was coming up on the performance and I was talking to Andrew in the back. I knew all the words in the moment but I knew as soon as I got on the stage I was going to fumble on a few … Last night I got them all right, but I did change one and Andrew knew about it. I called Simon [Cowell] the king of the crop instead of the pick of the crop but that was on purpose. I thought that would be funny.
What Neil Diamond song would you have sung if you had stuck around for next week?
I was planning to sing “Sweet Caroline” and … I was actually going to do it with a cello and a piano and make it like a slower.
What is the significance of your Amy Winehouse tattoo?
It’s actually a geisha. It’s so funny. Even Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “Oh look, you have Amy Winehouse on your arm.” I was like, “No.” It was funny. But I love my tattoo. That was one thing on the show that really bothered me — that it wasn’t finished and we never get any time. I really wanted to go and get it finished. Her face will be white. Her lips will be red and she’ll look nothing like Amy Winehouse once it’s finished.
F Micelotta/American Idol 2008/Getty
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