by Gina Scarpa

 

This week, on American Idol, it was a surprise for many fans to see two strong competitors, who knew who they were as artists, get eliminated from the competition. Katelyn Epperly and Lilly Scott couldn't hide their disappointment and Lilly seemed completely baffled that America chose young, pop singers over herself. The two women, who were friends and roommates while on Idol, spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about the judges, memorable moments, and their plans going forward.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Some people felt that the judges were particularly hard on you and too forgiving with other contestants. Do you agree?
A. Katelyn: They were definitely more critical of me. I'm not sure if they were more critical of me because I've been performing for so long. So I don't know if they expected more from me and I didn't live up to their expectations from week to week.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It seems like almost everyone this season plays an instrument. Are you happy that the show has embraced singers who are musicians as well?
A. Katelyn: That's actually what made me much more OK with being on the show. I had some pride issues, because I wasn't sure about being competitive. I'm about being a musician. And it's not like the other musicians on the show just rolled out of bed with good voices and pretty faces. It was cool, we passed around the guitar and sang together. It was pretty cool.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you were eliminated, you didn't hide your surprise and said, "I don't know what America wants to hear." What was the emotion behind that and what were you trying to say as an artist?
A. Lilly: I wanted to break the mold and be that offbeat contestant that did exactly what I wanted to do and explain myself as an artist with my song choice. I have no regrets in that department. But watching certain people make it into the top 12 that kind of haven't done so well in the past weeks, and then basing on the judges' comments on my three songs, I was frustrated. I feel like my fan base wasn't there, even though the judges and producers seem to love me. And I felt like I was having a great run on the show. But I guess my fans weren't there. So that's why I said that. But then I think my voting demographic is more of the underground scene, who don't even own a TV. They were probably all out riding their bikes and or doing something more productive than watching TV, let alone American Idol.

 

Q. What was your most memorable moment?
A. Katelyn: Definitely playing The Scientist by Coldplay on the white piano. I'm at my best when I'm on my own, without a band, when it's raw and intimate.

 

Q. Katelyn, it seems that the contestants have gotten very close. Who did you get close to?
A. Katelyn: Lilly and I were best friends. We were roommates and we hung out all the time, along with Crystal Bowersox. It was ironic that we were both eliminated on the same day.

 

Q. Lilly, who would be an artist that you would like to work with on an album?
A. Lilly: I would love to meet Thom York from Radiohead and Bjork. They're like the king and queen of the indie world. They are who I strive to be as an artist.

 

Q. Do they let you know how many votes you received?
A. Lilly: They don't. I would love to know the statistics; I don't want to think anything is rigged, I want to know how many votes I did have.

 

Q. What are your plans, moving forward?
A. Katelyn: I'm flat broke but I'm going back to Des Moines to start working. But I'm going to pursue music and join this band that I've loved a long time, Love Drug. I've been listening to them since I was young, and I'm looking forward to getting back in the studio.
A. Lilly: I feel like I would fit in the big summer festival circuit, like Coachella and Bonnaroo. I could have a different kind of audience if I could go on tour that way. I want to do some mass touring. Recording is on my list of to-dos. I know there's a fan base out there, but I don't think it was the American Idol voting demographic and that was what I was worried about from Day 1. I thought I could break the mold, but I guess it's another season of the same old stuff.

 

Q. Who are rooting for now?
A. Katelyn: I really do honestly, and not just to be cheesy, wish them all well. Everyone has worked so hard. But I am rooting for Crystal Bowersox. She's been a true friend. And she's a genuine, true person and when she sings, you know she sings from the heart. She deserves it, and I'm going to be pulling for her all the way.

 

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 12 take the stage on American Idol, Tuesday night at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

For more American Idol links, visit SirLinksALot.net