by Gina Scarpa

 

This week, on American Idol, two singers were headed out the door after the judges used their one and only save on Casey Abrams the week before. This time around, Casey was safe and another two girls, Thia Meghia and Naima Adedapo, were eliminated. Today, the two spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about their experiences on the show and where they hope to go from here.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Your elimination came as a surprise to a lot of fans but did it come as a surprise to you?
A. Thia: Actually, I really didn't know what to expect since there are a lot of great singers in this competition. I guess I was feeling a mixture of emotions before getting up on stage. I wanted this so bad but I guess everyone else is so incredible, you just kind of prepare yourself for whatever happens. I really didn't know what to feel at all, to be honest. I'm happy for Paul. I'm happy for us because I know we're going to be going on tour. From all the exposure we've gotten on the show, it's been incredible. Knowing that millions of people voted for you is flattering.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you think the fact that you did so many ballads hurt you? Randy kept saying that you were being "safe".
A. Thia: I guess for the previous weeks that I've done ballads, I do regret not choosing upbeat songs. The last performance that I did, I don't regret at all because I dedicated that song to my brother. I poured all the emotion that I had inside of me into that song. I don't regret one bit of it. I'm glad that the last song I did on the show was dedicated to my big brother. For the previous weeks, I would've done more upbeat songs because I didn't wanna come off as just a ballad singer. I just hope America knows I can be so much more. The previous auditions I did before the live shows were more upbeat and on the contemporary side.

 

 

Q. You have an incredible amount of experience. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
A. Thia: I think I was 5 when I did my very first performance in front of anyone. I got up on a coffee table at a birthday party and started singing for my family. That's when I realized how much I wanted to perform and do all this.

 

Q. When you're a younger contestant, you have to deal with school. How did that affect what was going on?
A. Thia: I did about 3-4 hours of school every day. I thought I didn't get in enough rehearsal time but it was sort of an advantage for us because, being minors, it was like an escape from all the stress. We were in one little room, focusing on schoolwork. There were advantages and disadvantages. It was cool to have that time to bond with all the other minors, especially me and Lauren Alaina.

 

Q. What was your favorite part of the whole competition?
A. Thia: I enjoyed every bit of the competition. I guess that was what made it really hard to say goodbye last night because you think about every single thing that you've experienced on the show and you think to yourself, "I'm going to miss that so much." It's not the end of the competition. We're all going to see each other and there's a tour. I'm going to miss the vocal coaches and all that they've taught us. I know I've grown so much as an artist, as a singer, and as a person.

 

Q. Last season, 4 girls were cut in the last 5 eliminations and this season was even worse. Was that something you and the other girls were concerned about?
A. Thia: We sort of figured that because there are more females watching the show, votes were gonna be more for the guys. It's not only that because the guys are incredible. We were a bit worried about that and intimidated by all the girls watching the show.

 

Q. Are there any times when do get nervous?
A. Thia: It's funny because I get nervous every time, for every single performance, before getting up on stage. Once I'm up there, I'm usually taken in by the music and the moment and I basically go from extremely nervous to showboat. My heart starts going with the music and I'm just releasing it all. I'm not even nervous when I'm off stage and the music starts playing.

 

Q. What direction do you want to go in with your career? Are there any artists you would absolutely love to work with?
A. Thia: One of my most favorite musical inspirations would be Adele and Jason Mraz. Their lyrics are so beautiful and complex and I really admire them for that. I also love listening to older music, like Billie Holliday and a bunch of old artists. Right now, I guess Adele and Jason Mraz would be my favorites.

 

Q. What was the sentiment among the women in the house? Four girls have gone early on.
A. Naima: We weren't really concerned because we all have faith in ourselves. When it comes down to it, the reality is that more than 50% of the audience is little teenage girls. Once they get a crush, we're done. You know what I mean? They dominate and that's alright. I feel like we didn't really have too many conversations about it because we were all pretty confident in our work. It's the reality of the situation. Once the teenyboppers fall in love... and my audience isn't too tech savvy. I would have people say to me, "I voted for you three times!" and I was like, "You could've voted 500 times if you texted."

 

Q. Lauren seemed so upset with the results. Can you talk a little about that?
A. Naima: She kinda cried it out a little bit. It's alright to do that and it is. I think it was very hard for her because not only was it me going and I've been a mother figure a little bit... I've always told her to have confidence in herself and believe in herself. I think, even more so, it was Thia. They were in school together all the time. They were really close and really tight. It really is like losing a best friend. I had a moment losing it when I said goodbye to Jacob. You get emotionally attached to these people. You live in close quarters, you learn their personalities, and you get attached.

 

Q. Before Wednesday, you had been in the bottom three before. Did you decide that with this reggae performance that you needed to shake things up and get people's attention?
A. Naima: I just wanted to show every piece of me. That's what I've been trying to do. I've been trying to show a new thing about me and I hadn't really gone reggae. I love it, I connect to it. I had some people telling me, "I don't know about it." For me, I'm about staying true to myself. Once I have my mind set on something, I go for it.

 

Q. Can you tell us about your dance background? You showed off your dance moves so well.
A. Naima: I've been part of many dance troupes. I did hip hop but for most of my life, I've done African dance. Any African dance company in Milwaukee that you can name, I've been a part of. Dancing has always been a part of my life. I always incorporate dance into my life. I have a reggae band back home with my husband and we always move on stage. It's unnatural to us if we don't.

 

Q. What will you miss most about the competition?
A. Naima: Shopping! Shopping! That was one of the biggest, best parts for me. Performing is everything but when you get to shop and do accessories and the shoes, I get such a kick out of that! I get an even bigger kick when it's not expensive.

 

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 9 take the stage on American Idol, Wednesday at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa