by Gina Scarpa

 

This season, on American Idol, Siobhan Magnus took some heat for repeatedly belting out high notes and refusing to commit to one style or genre of music that suited her best.  That's Siobhan, though.  She's an individual, she's unique, and she won't let other people tell her who to be.  In a way, you have to respect for who she is on top of the amazing set of pipes she brought to the table.  Last night, during Shania Twin/country week, Siobhan received the least number of votes and was sent home.  Today, she spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about her experiences on Idol.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You defended your right to be an individual on the show. Do you hope that influenced your fans and supporters, that it's okay to be different?
A. Siobhan: That's definitely something that's important to me, to show people that's something I take very seriously. I've always been an independent person and a different kind of person, but I'm very stubborn and strong-willed. It's important to me to get that across that I'm not going to change to please other people. I do what I do because it rests well on my heart. The positive feedback I got from fans and viewers was tremendous. I couldn't ask for anything better than receiving letters from girls who said, "I get made fun of at school because I'm different, but watching you has helped me accept that it's OK and not back down just because other people intimidate me."

 

Q. You're known for your ability to hit that high note. When did you first find out you could do it?
A. Siobhan: I'm pretty sure I figured it out in the shower in high school one night. I'm an avid shower singer, much to the dismay of my family and neighbors. I was singing a Kelly Clarkson song, and I went to hit one note, and I reached it, and I was able to resonate it in a different part of my head. I started to use it more and more in school choirs and with my band. It became very useful with the style of singing I like to do.

 

Q. You said one of your favorite artists was Courtney Love and that you like Rob Zombie. Is this a musical direction you'd like to take, and do you think that might worry your fans and record companies?
A. Siobhan: It easily could. But my tastes are in no way limited to that style. I love every kind of music that moves me, and I hope to create a sound that is my own because it takes from everything I love, from jazz and soul and R&B and blues to rock and punk and oldies and big band.

 

Q. Tell us more about your glassblowing apprenticeship. Has it influenced how you sing and perform?
A. Siobhan: Glassblowing requires a certain amount of breath control, but it's not something you're pushing really hard because glass is so sensitive. I'm also very vocal in my job when customers come in, so I have to be very comfortable with strangers. It might sound silly, but that was a big help in just communicating with people and just speaking up. It's such a cool job, and I miss it a lot. It's helped shape me as a person, my work ethic, and my ability to communicate with other people and just learning about the art, which is fascinating.

 

Q. What did the other contestants say to you after you were eliminated?
A. Siobhan: It was hard because we're all so close and they're all such cool, honest people. We got to talk afterward, and they said they'd miss my personality and sense of humor. I tried to bring comedy into every day. It helps us all get through. I am especially close to Lee. We formed such an amazing friendship, as I did with every contestant. But Lee in particular, we clicked, and I was so glad to have him there. They're all extremely encouraging, and we have this special bond, and we know this isn't the end for any of us. We will be friends forever. It's inevitable because of what we've shared together. I can't wait to see them again. I miss them already.

 

Q. How will you celebrate your homecoming?
A. Siobhan: I can't wait to see everybody. I'm sure we'll have a big family dinner. Family dinner for us means at least 30 people sitting down together, babies, people of all ages. I can't wait to see my cat and give her a big kiss, my dog, everybody, it'll be great.

 

Q. Who do you think will win?
A. Siobhan: It's so hard to say, because each person is unique and extremely talented. I know the last thing you want to hear is "I don't know, it could be anybody." It heavily depends on the coming themes, but all the contestants have such an incredible ability to make the songs their own. I have faith in all of them, and I think whoever comes out on top will win it for the right reasons. I love them all dearly, and I couldn't even tell you because this whole thing has been so unpredictable and such a crazy journey. I can honestly picture any one of them the winner at this time.

 

Q. What are your plans for the future?
A. Siobhan: I'd love to do is some more theater. I love acting, and I've had a lot of experience in different kinds of theater, musicals and Shakespeare. I do aspire to be in something like Phantom of the Opera or Jesus Christ Superstar, any kind of opera or Broadway-type musical because I love acting and singing, and the two of them together is so much fun. I'm also a huge horror movie fan, and I definitely aspire to make at least an appearance in a gory horror film with all the special effects makeup. A big dream of mine, since all my brothers and sisters are artistic, too, would be to collaborate with them. My oldest brother, Rory, is an extremely talented filmmaker, and someday I'd like to be in one of his films. We could all come together and create a Magnus work of art.

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 5 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