Quentin Alexander said and sang his peace and now looks forward to some real Cajun food following his elimination from "American Idol" on Wednesday night
Alexander proudly shared his frustration about seeing his best friend Rayvon Owen in the bottom two last week for a third week in a row but found himself in the same position last night. For Owen, it was the singer's fourth consecutive week in the bottom two.
Alexander gave two solid performances, but it wasn't enough to sway the Twitter army that has saved Owen every week since the "Idol" Fan Save came into play during the Top 9. Owen received the final spot in the Top 5 "Idol" Tour.
"[The Twitter save] is done, but it doesn't scare me," Owen told Headlines & Global News exclusively. "In some ways being in the bottom two the past four weeks has been a blessing. I feel I've given my best performances [in those spots]."
The 23-year-old singer realized that he can't rely simply on a good vocal performance or the "Idol" Fan Save anymore. He has to display emotion, connect with the viewers and get them to vote him in the first time.
"I don't really mind that there's no more Twitter save because apparently, I have some secret Twitter army that votes," he jokes. "I just need them to vote now, not after I'm in the bottom. But I'm so grateful to them and I'm ready to bring it all the way to the end."
For the 22-year-old Alexander, there are no hard feelings and if his elimination was a repercussion from last week's outburst, he's fine with that. He spoke with HNGN about his departure and his outburst last week.
Headlines & Global News: You seem OK following tonight's events?
Quentin Alexander: That's very true. I'm very much about things happening as they are supposed [to happen]. Like everything that's happened in the competition. I'm just grateful to have made it this far. Looking back at the beginning of the competition I would never have expected to be in this position - to be number six on "American Idol" out of all the hundreds and thousands of people over the course of 14 years. I get to say I accomplished that.
HNGN: Do you think what happened last week might have affected the voting?
QA: I really don't know. If it did, then it's absolutely fine. Ultimately, it shows that the stage wasn't ready for that kind of artistry, and I call it that because that's who I am. I shared a moment with America that I would've shared with anyone else. I wouldn't hide it or have changed anything about it. The one thing I got to appreciate from the experience is getting to see who supported me and I get to see that people respected it and were inspired by it. Just to be able to speak up for things you feel are incorrect, and ultimately, it was a beautiful thing. If it got me sent home, then I'm so grateful.
HNGN: What's next for you?
QA: Get some rest. I can't wait to get home for some good New Orleans food. I want real crawfish, real gumbo, real red beans and rice. All that Cajun goodness! I'll probably gain about 15 pounds before I come back for the finale, but that's fine. I'll lose it all again.
HNGN: And where do things go career wise?
QA: It's definitely about taking advantages of the opportunity that have been put in front of me. "Idol" has given me all the tools, knowledge and everything I need to start off. I have some personal projects that I am excited to get back to work on. I'm doing short films with my music incorporated and fashion that I create. It's really a big thing I'd like to present to the world because the type of artist I want to be is one that touches on every brand. Some people prefer visuals over sound. I'd like to be able to provide something for everyone to like.
HNGN: How does it make you feel that Scott Borchetta became such a huge fan and even went out of his way to find you to say goodbye tonight?
QA: That really makes me feel like I've accomplished a lot and did exactly what I was supposed to. To have someone embrace you that is as huge as he is in the industry, I mean if I can touch that one person, who else can I touch? I'm really grateful to Scott because he's given me just as much knowledge as anyone else in this competition. Without him I still think there's a chance I wouldn't have made it this far. We went back and forth on a lot of ideas and song arrangements. I think we found great compromise that helped me balance throughout the competition.
HNGN: Have you talked about working together?
QA: That would be beautiful. We haven't discussed it yet, but I'm looking forward to it if it happens. It would be something wonderful.
HNGN: What will you miss most about the whole experience?
QA: All of these beautiful people that I've grown close to. I've grown to love this huge family, and it's great to have had that experience and be able to share it with other people fighting for the same thing. We learned a lot from each and will continue to learn after all of this is over. I feel we all have a bond that will surpass the competition and go into our personal lives.
HNGN: Will you go see the "Idol" tour?
QA: I would absolutely go to support these people. I've seen firsthand the work that they put in and I know how much it takes out of you. It'll be great to see it all come together for them. I'm proud that they all made it this far, and I'm proud of what they'll bring because I've seen the behind the scenes and they are all amazing artists.
Next week, the Top 5 finalists will perform two songs: one connected to the judges' hometowns and the other a song that defines their "soul." Judge Harry Connick Jr. will also give a special performance of the song "City Beneath the Sea."
"American Idol" airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox.
