by Gina Scarpa

 

Last night, on American Idol, Karen Rodriguez was eliminated from the competition. Jennifer Lopez had a soft spot for the Latin-American singer from the very beginning but was unable to save her after she pulled in the lowest numbers of votes this week. Today, Karen spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about her experiences on Idol and what she hopes to do next!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What did it mean to you to be able to sing your version of "Hero" on Idol, in both English and Spanish?
A. Karen: Awesome! It meant the world to me. This is what I've been wanting to do my whole life. I always had a vision of myself being a Latin-American artist. Just to be able to sing a song of that magnitude in both languages on a number one show... I've always said that America is a big melting pot. There's so much diversity. It's called American Idol but it's really not. Everybody in the show brings their own style and that was my goal.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I read that you became very close to Jacob during your time on the show. Is it tougher to be out of the competition or to leave your friends behind?
A. Karen: It's both! Of course, I wanted to stay and I wanted to continue but I live by the words that everything happens for a reason. My time on the show was meant to be up yesterday. I'm going to miss him so much but I'll see them all soon!

 

Q. How tough were your circumstances financially growing up?
A. Karen: Both of my parents are Hispanic and they came from different countries to find opportunities in America. Both of my parents can't really work and receive help from the government. Anything she would have from her check, she would give to me to make me look beautiful when I performed. She sacrificed everything for me and my siblings. My voice and my talent have taken me so many places. I know that I'll be able to give back to my mom.

 

Q. Can you talk about the high school you attended in New York, LaGuardia High School?
A. Karen: It was amazing. I was born in Miami but I feel like if I stayed in Miami, I wouldn't be who I am today. Living in a city like New York strengthens me and there are so many opportunities for kids. I was so blessed to go to the Fame school. It's free. I want to be that person that encourages other people.

 

Q. What did you learn from the producers you were able to work with?
A. Karen: Working with the producers was definitely amazing. It's definitely a smart strategy that they've incorporated into the show. It teaches us how our lives are going to change. Eventually, we all want record deals out of this opportunity.

 

Q. You were having a conversation with the judges after your elimination. Did they give you any advice?
A. Karen: Yes, of course. Jennifer has been a fan of mine from the very beginning. She told me that herself. She said I was perfect and she was rooting for me. If it was all on her, she would've saved me. She told me. Steven and Randy both came at me and gave me hugs and kisses and told me I was amazing and I'll go so far and this was only the beginning. There were so many emotions but it was all for good.

 

Q. You said that you'd be interested in doing commercials and movies. Can you elaborate on that?
A. Karen: Of course! I did a voiceover when I was in high school and coming into LaGuardia High School, I played the lead, Maria, in West Side Story. I played the lead in a play my sophomore year with 3,000 people and it sold out. I've auditioned for In The Heights and West Side Story. I've met the casts of both. I want to take this and milk it as much as I could. That would be one of my dreams! I admire Jennifer Lopez because she handles music and movies. I definitely wanna be like her for sure.

 

Q. You seem so positive! What advice do you have for people to remain positive?
A. Karen: There have been so many instances in my life where I've had to lose something and you don't really know why this is happening. In a few days or a few months, I'll see why. Maybe if I stayed longer in the competition, there would've been an opportunity I missed out on. Maybe it was my time to be on the show for a little bit so I could get my name out there. This is eventually what I want. I don't want to be known as a Top 12 finalist. I wanna be known as Karen Rodriguez, the next Latin sensation. I'm very excited for what's about to come.

 

Q. What's next for you?
A. Karen: I can't wait to go back home and reflect on everything that's happened. It's been very, very crazy the last couple months. I can't wait to start writing and bettering myself as an artist. I'm going to work hard to become that artist that's ready. As soon as the show ends, I want to totally be that package. I still have to work on so many things but I know that this time off will help me better myself.

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa