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American Idol Season 9: Conference Call with Aaron Kelly

Posted on 05/06/2010 by Gina in American Idol and Cast Interviews

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Aaron Kelly from American Idol Season 9

 

by Gina Scarpa

 

It's the kind of story you expect to see in a movie on the Disney Channel. Aaron Kelly entered the American Idol Experience competition at Disney World while on vacation and won. His prize? A trip to the front of the line at a real Idol casting call. He won the judges over, soaring through to Hollywood and the Top 24 before making it all the way to Top 5. He was eliminated last night but has no regrets about his amazing Idol journey. Today, he spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about his experiences on the show.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Last night, I really liked your answer when Ryan asked you how old you felt and you said you still felt 17. Was it important to you to not grow up too fast in this competition?
A. Aaron: Absolutely. You don't want to change who you are, because they send you through based on who you were in the beginning. If you change who you are, you're changing the person America fell in love with.

 


Q. How did you balance your schoolwork with the show?
A. Aaron: I look it as, the contestants have to worry about their performance and the results, but I have to worry about astronomy. So I have school to take my mind off of it. I used it as an advantage.

 

Q. Some have said Idol didn't have the strongest contestants this year. What's your response to that?
A. Aaron: They say that every year. These are all talented people, and we work very hard up there. It's very difficult singing a song or genre you're not comfortable with. It's a very difficult task, but we're all doing it pretty well.

 

Q. After all their critiques and advice, what do you think the judges wanted from you?
A. Aaron: A little charisma. I got my confidence up and I was having a good time. I just needed to believe a little bit more. I was still learning to add all the extra things to my performances.

 

Q. Who was your favorite mentor?
A. Aaron: Harry Connick Jr. He worked with us on such a personal level. He did all the arrangements. He worked really hard making sure we all shined. Just to have a mentor who cares so much and is such an iconic figure, he's incredible. It was such an honor getting to share the stage with him.

 

Q. The judges seemed to be pushing you toward country music. What are your feelings about country?
A. Aaron: Country music is what I've grown up listening to and what I feel I fit most comfortably with. The people who inspire me the most are Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban. They have such great, honest music, and I have such a great time performing country music. I see myself hopefully going down that road.

 

Q. You mentioned Rascal Flatts and some of your idols. Are they the kind of people you'd like to work with? And will you go back to school, or will you try to make an album right away?
A. Aaron: I'd love to. They're a huge inspiration for me. I'm on the verge of finishing up with high school. I've got all my senior credits. And then I'd love to record an album. And I'd like to do some original things, like stuff that I've written. We're not allowed to do that on the show, so I don't know if people know that I write songs, but it's another huge passion of mine.

 

Q. What did Simon say to you after you were eliminated?
A. Aaron: He asked me what I felt my best week was. I said it was country week, and he said that's when I really shined. He said I just need to figure out what kind of artist I am and

 

Q. You and Michael Lynche had a moment after you were eliminated. What did he say to you?
A. Aaron: Mike was saying, "You made it this far, and it's all right. Good things are going to come out of this for everybody, so no worries, man, it's a good place to go." And he knows we're all going to do good things.

 

Q. Some of the guys have called you the "little brother" of the season. What do you think of that?
A. Aaron: They definitely called me the little brother of the season. They're great guys. And MamaSox. I loved them all.

 

Q. Will a lot of your relatives be coming to see you on tour?
A. Aaron: Yes. It's going to be so great seeing them on tour and getting back to some of my old stomping grounds.

 

Q. Who do you think will win?
A. Aaron: They're all talented and they all have a shot at winning this because, when it comes down to it, it's America that votes. Any one of them has a shot, and they're all fantastic.

 

Q. Anything you'd like to say to your fans?
A. Aaron: I'd like to send a shout-out to all the fans who have supported me and gotten me this far. I've enjoyed this journey so much. The things I've learned and the friends I've made have thrilled me. I love you all very much, and I can't wait to see you out on tour.

 


Be sure to tune in when the Top 4 take the stage on American Idol, Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 


Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa


For more American Idol links, visit SirLinksALot.net

 

 


  


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