Few American Idol contestants from this past season connected with audiences like LaKisha Jones. Everyone seemed to love this single mother.

Now, in the middle of that show's summer tour, Jones sat down with TV Guide to discuss the past and future...

TV Guide: How will you juggle being a parent with working if you get a record deal?
LaKisha: Well, when I get a record deal, then I call the shots. That's going to be a part of my deal. I need to take my baby with me. I've seen plenty of artists who have their children with them. So it's possible.

TV Guide: So you'll get a nanny?
LaKisha: Probably my mom. It just depends.

TV Guide: You sound hoarse. Did you lose your voice?
LaKisha: I'm good. It's just that I got a massage after just waking up.

TV Guide: I forgot, the Idols have a massage therapist at every tour stop, don't they?
LaKisha: Yes. That's one of the luxuries — I will miss that!

TV Guide: What do you do to lift your spirits when you get tired?
LaKisha: I pray and listen to inspirational music. I talk to my baby, my mom... and I get massages.

TV Guide: Is there anything you're doing to keep your energy up?
LaKisha: Nothing out of the normal. I drink my tea and my Emergen-C and all of that stuff.

TV Guide: Blake Lewis said one of the biggest challenges is you're force-fed junk food every night. Is it the same for you?
LaKisha: We have pizza and all of that stuff. You can choose not to eat it.

TV Guide: Did you do anything different on stage when the tour came to your hometown?
LaKisha: We did the reprise at the end of the show. Then I did the "And I Am Telling You" song.

TV Guide: What's been the biggest surprise for you about the tour?
LaKisha: Just checking in to hotels every day and getting up at four o'clock in the morning and getting off the bus. That's the hardest part for me, breaking my sleep up.

TV Guide: So you're not a morning person?
LaKisha: I am somewhat, but not at four in the morning!

TV Guide: Do you get excited to meet the fans?
LaKisha: It's always nice to meet the fans. Those are the people that kept you in the game.

TV Guide: Are you surprised by the reaction you get when people meet you?
LaKisha: It's crazy sometimes because people scream and stuff. You never expect it.

TV Guide: Have you started writing or working on a record deal?
LaKisha: No, I'm not writing. But I have some deals on the table. We're going to see which ones fit me best. I've got to see what style of music I want to do first.

TV Guide: Are you listening to any other artists a lot right now?
LaKisha: Yolanda Adams, Heather Hedley, Fantasia... they're all in my iPod.

TV Guide: What are you most looking forward to about the rest of the tour?
LaKisha: I'm looking forward to going home and being a mom.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.