by Todd Betzold

 

It was an up-and-down week for DeAndre Brackensick on American Idol, as the judges gave him high praises after his performances on Wednesday night. Last night, Jimmy Iovine gave him a harsh critique, but the judges stuck by their praises for DeAndre. Unfortunately, America agreed with Jimmy and DeAndre was eliminated. Today, he spoke with RealityWanted and other reporters in a conference call about his time on Idol, meeting Eric Benet, the Idol tour and much more.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: The judges gave you high praise on your performances Wednesday night and then Jimmy said some bad things and the judges stuck by their words last night, but then you got voted off. Were you shocked by this vote?
A. DeAndre: This vote was a bittersweet thing. I thought I did a very well job the night before. Even though it did happen, it happens. I can't really explain the feeling I had...it was just more of a numbness because I didn't know how to feel. I was happy for myself, but I just didn't want to go.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: During the show, you got to meet Eric Benet. What was that like for you?
A. DeAndre: That was amazing...that was like the highlight of my whole Idol experience. I loved meeting Eric Benet. He is a big influence for me.

 

 

 

Q. How difficult is it to start the performance shows (first to sing)?
A. DeAndre: You have to have that level of being really good just to start off the show and it kinda sucks...you know you don't want to get forgotten. Everything happens for a reason, so I was happy no matter what...it was cool.

 

Q. Did you get a chance to talk to any of the judges or other contestants after you were eliminated last night?
A. DeAndre: The judges came and talked to me and told me to keep doing what I'm doing and I'm gonna keep going on in life with music. I did get to see some of the contestants back at the mansion when I was packing up...it was all love. Everyone is amazing.

 

Q. Do you think Jimmy was being a little hard on you and did you get a chance to talk to him after last night?
A. DeAndre: No, not at all...Jimmy has his opinion. Everybody has their own opinion and it's going to come from either Jimmy or fans, people that don't like me, my friends, my family...it's going to come regardless. Much love to him for doing that...I have nothing but respect for him. Even though it did come off like that, it drove me even harder to try and prove him wrong. So in the end, he helped me and everything he had said to me helped me in the long run.

 

Q. Before you sang the song to be saved, you mouthed something. Were you talking to someone in the audience and what did you say?
A. DeAndre: I was talking to my sister because she was crying. I just told her not to cry because there's no reason to cry because I accomplished so much. Why be sad for things I've done? You shouldn't be sad because I've done so much. Why dwell on some things that didn't happen, but enjoy the things that had.

 

Q. Being 17, what did you have to do that maybe the older contestants didn't have to?
A. DeAndre: We had to do schoolwork and we had different call times...sometimes earlier, sometimes later. Sometimes we got pulled out earlier just for minors. It was kind of nice though...it made things easier being a minor.

 

Q. You'll get to go on tour this summer. Who do you think is going to be the most fun on tour and what do you think the tour is going to be like for you?
A. DeAndre: Everybody has their fun moments. It's just going to be a fun experience all around because we are so close. It's a really close bond that we have for each other. It's going to be really fun. I really want people to come watch the show just to see how individual each person is. You really can't compare anybody to anybody because it's just so different...so uniquely talented.

 

Q. What advice did you receive while you were on the show that you're going to carry with you?
A. DeAndre: To stick to myself. I felt that was a big thing I was struggling with. I always wanted to please people and it never worked. People love it better when you do what you want. The judges voted me in because they loved me, so why would I change myself? That's not even why I got in there for in the first place.

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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