by Gina Scarpa

 

Last night, on American Idol's live results show, Haeley Vaughn and Michelle Delamor were eliminated from the competition.  Haeley sang "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus, while Michelle took a risk with Creed's "With Arms Wide Open".  Neither pulled in enough votes and were given the bad news by Ryan Seacrest that they were headed home.  Today, the two girls spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about their experiences on Idol and where they're going from here.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Can you talk about the nerves the contestants were feeling in the first week?
A. Haeley: The first week was really tough. We were all super nervous and scared and worried about our song choice. We were all freaking out, trying to pick the right song to make sure that America would like them.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How did things change for you, from week one to week two, in terms of getting comfortable?
A. Haeley: I think the nerves settled down week two but they were definitely there for me anyway. If I continued to be on the show, I think as the weeks went on, the nerves would've gone away because I would've gotten use to it but I think they always would've been there.
A. Michelle: The first week, just knowing that you're going to step on that stage... I've watched every season of American Idol. When we first walked onto the stage and I saw the lights, I was like, "Oh my God!" There were nerves but so much excitement. I was driven mostly by that and confidence in my song choice. The second week, I was a little bit unsure of my song choice and I think that's what came through and that's why you saw the difference.

 

Q. Haeley, how long have you been making headbands? Have you made any for the other girls on the show?
A. Haeley: I've been making headbands for a couple months. I started right before the show started and I haven't made any for the other girls but I made them for some of the different outfits that I have.

 

Q. Did you feel that the judges gave you conflicting advice?
A. Haeley: No, not really. I felt like the judges had really good comments and feedback to give me. I'll definitely work on the things that they said.

 

Q. Haeley, what do you think of Kara's comment that you need to take a year and really work on your vocals? Michelle, what did you think of Kara turning on you in last night's results show?
A. Haeley: I think more time to work on my vocals would be good. Experience is always better. This is the first really big thing that I've done ever. I've never performed in front of millions of people before. I've never even performed for a hundred. I think it's always good to get more experience.
A. Michelle: It was a little disappointing. I know I didn't do my best. I know Wednesday was not close to my best, so I understood where she was coming from. I was disappointed she said that but I can't say she was wrong for it.

 

Q. Michelle, you look so comfortable on stage. How did you develop that?
A. Michelle: I think it's just because I've been singing on stage since I was about 5 years old, mostly at church, though. That's been my platform and playground. I definitely think that's helped me. Doing gigs, too. I do a lot of gigs back home.

 

Q. Did you question your decision to sing Creed?
A. Michelle: I did and I think that's what messed me up a little bit before I got on stage, was that I questioned it. When you're not sure of the song you're performing, it's going to be noticed. I would've reversed my songs, what I wanted to do next. I wanted to do "Come Together" by The Beatles, but the Michael Jackson cover.

 

Q. Haeley, you were emotional after the results. What goes through your mind as you watch the video of your Idol journey?
A. Haeley: Watching that video right I had to perform was hard. I was just thinking about my journey and how far I made it. Having to sing afterwards was so hard. I was just trying to get through the song. I really connected with the song when I sang it last night and it really meant something to me.

 

Q. What's next for you?
A. Haeley: I'm definitely going to keep working on my career and keep singing and hopefully doors will open up for me. I'm big fan of Disney and The Disney Channel so hopefully, there's something there I can work on.
A. Michelle: I'm staying in L.A. I was made to do something big and I'm not going to give up.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

For more American Idol links, visit SirLinksALot.net