by Gina Scarpa

 

When the judges on American Idol chose Ashton Jones and Naima Adedapo as their Wild Card picks and left Kendra Chantelle out in the cold, many fans were shocked. Kendra impressed, not only with her Hollywood and Vegas performances, but her solid vocals on both "Impossible" and "Georgia On My Mind" in the Top 24. Today, we caught up with Kendra in an exclusive interview to hear about her Idol journey and her musical plans going forward.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: To see the amount of people that try out for American Idol can be very overwhelming. What made you decide to go and try out in Nashville?
A. Kendra: For years, I have had people say, "Why don't you try out for American Idol?" This year, they were in my backyard and it was a year that I felt like I was really ready. I felt confident in competing.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I feel like things really took off for you when you sang "Blackbird" with Paul in Vegas. Do you agree?
A. Kendra: I kind of think so. It was really interesting for me because I was really insecure in that performance. I'm a bigger singer than that song showed and I was worried I wasn't doing enough. I was surprised that people loved it as much as they did.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you sat down with the judges to find out if you had made the Top 24, what went through your mind?
A. Kendra: Since day one, I've never walked in to an audition with them thinking I was or wasn't going. I never, ever knew what they were going to do. I was always really excited and nervous but I was always trying to be objective and say, "Whatever happens, happens."

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You sang "Impossible" for your first performance with the Top 12 girls. A lot is made of song choice throughout the competition. Do you think that was the right song to sing?
A. Kendra: I'd be lying if I said I don't wish I had sang "Georgia On My Mind" that night but I still love that song. I think it showed off a lot of what I was capable of. I won't change anything by regretting it.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When the judges decided to give you a second change and let you sing for the Wild Card spot, did you feel confident that you would get in to the top group?
A. Kendra: I was more grateful than anything. I was like, "Oh my gosh, I get to sing again whether or not I'm going home." I was pumped up that they thought enough of me to let me sing again!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You're one of very few who have made it so far in the competition but how have you dealt with coming so close to the Top 13 and not getting in?
A. Kendra: I was really disappointed at first. It hurt because I was so close to what I'd wanted and then I didn't get it. Then, I had to stop myself and think that 127,000 people tried to be in my position and didn't get to. Millions of people got to see me sing. I think a lot of good things will come out of this.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There were a lot of fans that were upset you were eliminated so early in the competition. What has their support meant to you?
A. Kendra: That has just... it's unbelievable. All day long, every day since then, people Tweet at me about how they miss me in the competition. That's really exciting to me. I've never really had a large fan base. I want so much more now to put out music.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Speaking of, what are you working on and focusing on now?
A. Kendra: For the next little bit, I think I'm going to try to bank on the fact that I had a large life experience. As a songwriter, that's the biggest fuel for the fire. For the past few days, I've had nonstop melodies and hooks in my mind. I feel like I'm going to be able to write a lot of songs from this. I may try to get a record deal. I may record some stuff and put it out. I don't have a clear direction.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Who are you rooting for and who are you a fan of?
A. Kendra: I know it sounds cheesy. I'm seriously a fan of all 13. I think they're just really amazing people. They all have their own thing and I think they're all really good. I would be happy with any one of them taking it.

 

American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Kendra @kendrachantelle and Gina @ginascarpa