by Gina Scarpa

 

On last night's live results episode of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest delivered bad news to Ashley Rodriguez and Janell Wheeler. After making it through the initial round, surviving Hollywood week, and getting to the Top 24, it was the end of the road for them following their Tuesday night live performance for America's votes. Today, the two girls spoke to reporters in a press conference call about their experiences on the show and where they're headed next.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel like the judges weren't clear on what they wanted from people? One minute they wanted people to change up the arrangement and the next they said it was too much change.
A. Janell: I think I knew exactly what they wanted from me. I was just choosing to do it the second week. The first rehearsal with me and that song was a little more country. However, it lost a lot of its rugged sound and energy so I did switch it back to the rocker version. I felt like it definitely pumped me up and helped me perform better. In order for me to really have secured a place to the next round, I should've gone ahead and brought the guitar out and performed a Top 40 hit, which I was definitely planning on doing next week. As I progress, I will stick with the style that I do best which is so close to my Hollywood audition.

 

Q. Gina, RealitWanted: Do you think the judges were too harsh on the contestants this week?
A. Ashley: They were not taking any chances this week! I think a lot of people thought they would be a little lenient, considering it was our first live show. It turns out that they were coming in and throwing punches. I wouldn't say that they were too hard but we could've used a little love from them, that's for sure. They were very quick to give a lot of criticism and not back it up with anything positive. You can always find something good in a performance.

 

Q. Did the feedback from the judges surprise you?
A. Janell: Being there is so different. The band is really loud and aggressive and it's awesome. I think that because of that, everyone sounds good in house. Going back, listening to the show, I definitely heard a lot of us having pitch problems. It was our first show and we don't know how the sound works yet. If you can't tell, my performance changed from the first night to the second night. I had a better concept of the stage, of the sound, of my vocals with the band. I really think it's gonna get better and better. Each time they get on that stage and gets used to what it sounds like, it'll get better and better. For a lot of us, that was our first time.

 

Q. Is there anything you would've done differently?
A. Ashley: Actually, there isn't. I feel like I went into this competition giving 100% all the time. I think it's a really, really awesome thing for me that I can walk out saying that I have no regrets. I gave my all in every performance, in every situation. I wouldn't change a thing. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

 

Q. How did you feel Ellen was as a judge?
A. Janell: I love Ellen, I don't think it's a secret. I watch her show religiously. I thought she was so refreshing and she represents the American public, people who go out and buy the albums. She knows music and she's so diverse in her knowledge. I think people need to give her a lot of credit.

 

Q. Which contestants did you get close to?
A. Ashley: I roomed with Janell and Katelyn. They're wonderful girls. I'm great friends with Michelle. We all have the same dream and, if nothing else, that was our connecting bond. That's what brought us together. There haven't been people who have gone through this Idol experience. It's been pretty incredible.

 

Q. Did you have a feeling that you would be in the bottom this week?
A. Janell: I am a very hopeful person but that day, for some reason, I had a feeling inside of me. I called my parents and said, "Be prepared because I don't have a good feeling about today." I didn't get the worst comments, I didn't get the best comments. I didn't think I was the worst and definitely not the best. I was in that danger zone. People tend to think that you're safe if you're in between. They think you'll squeeze by. I didn't really shine or get really bad feedback. I think I just unfortunately got lost in the mix.

 

Q. What was your most memorable moment from your Idol experience?
A. Janell: Probably elimination night but in a great way. If there was a way to go out, I'm proud of the way I did. Several of the girls texted me and said, "You have so much poise, you're a class act, and we really admire the way you went out." I kept it together, I sang my song better last night and I'm happy about the way I went out.
A. Ashley: Our Top 24 photo shoot was a blast! We walked into this big L.A. shoot and it was super glamorous and really exciting. There was a ton of press and it was our opportunity to shine. That's probably one of our favorite moments as well as getting to meet and work with Ricky Minor and the band.

 

Q. What are you taking away from American Idol?
A. Ashley: Idol has really shown me that now, more than ever, I have to fight for what I want. They gave me a little taste of the dream and I'm willing to work hard for it, especially now that I've gotten a glimpse of what this life was like.

 

Q. What's next for you?
A. Janell: I'm going to head to Orlando and hang out with the family. I think we have a big barbecue planned. I'll probably just go back to south Tampa and hang out with my friends, get my bearings, and get back to me. Tampa is a playground for my age group. I'll probably just work on my music and get ready for the future. I'm really, really excited to work on my music. I have some tricks under my sleeve.

 

Q. What advice do you have for people who want to try out for Idol in the future?
A. Janell: I would just encourage anyone who dreams it to do it. I wanted to for so long and I really never thought I had what it took. Finally, a friend of mine convinced me and I'm so glad I did. I never thought I would man up and try out for American Idol and I'm so glad that I did. I'm so excited to be a part of this family and honored that I made it this far. I still pinch myself. I can't believe I'm here. If anyone ever thought about doing it, the worse that can happen is that you go and meet people with the same dreams as you and make friends and contacts. I still have friends that I made at the first audition.

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 10 females take the stage on American Idol, Tuesday night at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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