After just one live performance, Janell Wheeler was among four semifinalists voted out of American Idol.
The reasons behind her dismissal were two-fold: Wheeler was visibly nervous, as the microphone shook in her hand; and she stepped outsize her comfort zone with a rock ballad instead of an acoustic piece.
Below, courtesy of an inteview with Entertainment Weekly, Janell dishes on the American Idol experience:
On her song choice: “I really, truly thought I could put a country spin on it. I thought that my voice was strong enough. But I do have some regrets. It’s not that I would’ve chosen a different song; I would’ve maybe done Heart on an ’80s night, or a rock night. I wish I would’ve stuck to my guns and pulled out my guitar.”
On post-show response from the judges: “Kara told me “You have such a unique voice,” and that meant the world to me. Ellen — I love Ellen, and I think she likes me too. I think we hit it off [laughs]. Even Randy and Simon, they said great things to me. They gave me overall a good response. I think they were shocked as well that I was going home.”
On what’s next: “I’m definitely going to be heading home for a little bit, back to Orlando, visit the whole family. They’re all so proud of me. We’re going to have a big barbecue. And then I’m just writing, getting better with my guitar, getting more stage experience, recording an album.”
