by Gina Scarpa

 

Last night, on American Idol, it seemed the only person shocked that Paige Miles was headed home was Paige herself. Her performance of "Against All Odds" (by Phil Collins) went over so poorly that it was called possibly the worst of the season by the judges. When Ryan Seacrest announced that she would be headed home, the judges told her that they wouldn't be using their save on her before she even sang her final song. Today, Paige spoke to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference call about her elimination from the show, her favorite part about being on Idol, and where she's going from here.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: The judges were harsh with you but do you think that they are being too harsh on everyone this season?

A. Paige: Some of the things they say, I agree with and totally understand where they're coming from. But in some ways, it can be a little hurtful. Sometimes, we think they could rephrase it and say it in a better way because it does come across as pretty harsh.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you realize, when you chose the song, how much "Against All Odds" had been sung in previous seasons?

A. Paige: I actually hadn't realized. I was in rehearsal last week, and I was just trying to find a slower song that I didn't have to stress vocally over. I didn't want to do anything too uptempo and crazy. I probably should have picked something I was comfortable with and just gone for it. But you live and you learn.

 

 

Q. How do you think Miley Cyrus did as a mentor?
A. Paige: Miley did a great job. She has tons of experience in the business and touring and making albums, doing things a lot of us in the competition are trying to do. I'm older than her, but her age didn't come across at all. I was speaking with someone with experience doing what I want to do, so she was great.

 

Q. How long have you had laryngitis?

A. Paige: It was bad last night, but not as bad as it is now. I've been struggling with laryngitis for three weeks now. I have a swollen vocal cord. There's a lot of inflammation, and singing and rehearsing as much as we do, I had very little time for it to heal. It would get a little better, and then I'd have to sing again and it would be worse. It's tough when you're in a singing competition and you have no voice.

 

Q. How much influence do you think the judges have over the voters?

A. Paige: The judges have a certain amount of power, but it also comes down to a solid performance. Tuesday night definitely wasn't my best, and they ripped me for it. It can go both ways. Sometimes voters back up the person the judges were too hard on, but you never really know how America is going to vote.

 

Q. Do the judges have any influence on song choice?

A. Paige: No, they don't. Actually, I wish they knew more about the process we go through to pick a song.

 

Q. Do you think you should have risked more damage to your voice and gone with something more uptempo?

A. Paige: Yeah, but I was concerned with doing some permanent damage. So I really had to take it easy. Unfortunately, it was really bad timing.

 

Q. Did you have a feeling you'd be eliminated, or was it a shock?

A. Paige: I knew I had a poor performance, but I really didn't think it was my time to go. So I was surprised.

 

Q. Did it hurt when the judges said they would not be using the save before you even sang last night?

A. Paige: Yes, it did. I initially thought the save was something that, even if they don't use it, you get to sing for it, and then they make the decision. For the statement to be made before I opened my mouth, I was really bummed.

 

Q. The judges have slammed a lot of people for not knowing who they are as artists. Do you feel you knew what kind of artist you are during the competition?

A. Paige: I know who I am as an artist. The problem was finding material that fit me and that would also work with the laryngitis. It was tough. I love rock, pop, soul. I rock it out with a soul, R&B twist. I like uptempo music. And when my voice started to fail me, I tried to take it slow, and that really didn't work for me.

 

Q. What's next for you?

A. Paige: To continue moving forward with my singing. I love to perform, and this is something I want to make a career out of. And possibly move out here to L.A.

 

Q. What was your favorite part of the Idol experience?

A. Paige: Being able to perform on a stage and sing. I would have done it in jeans and a T-shirt or in a pretty white dress.

 

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 10 take the stage on American Idol, Tuesday night at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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