'American Idol's' Colton Dixon: Obscenity-Free and Proud of It

Nino Munoz / FOX

Something we’ve learned after many years of covering American Idol is that not every twentysomething has the mouth of a sailor. Sure, those of us who live on “the coasts” are practically immune to the constant stream of obscenities thrown our way casually, but some, like season 10 winner Scotty McCreery, season 4’s Carrie Underwood or this year’s Colton Dixon and Skylar Laine refrain from cursing altogether. How do they do it? And why?

our editor recommends

'American Idol's' Colton Dixon: Is the Heat on to Tone Down the Religious Rhetoric? (Video)

'American Idol' Burning Questions: Is Phillip Phillips a Phil Collins Superfan? Who Pranked Skylar Laine and What Did Gwen Stefani Have to Say About It?

'American Idol': 18 Things You Didn't See on Wednesday's Top 8 Show

VIDEO: Nicki Minaj Says It Takes 'Guts,' 'Heart' to Compete on 'American Idol' 

“My parents raised me that way,” Colton, a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “It doesn’t necessarily bother me, but I don’t curse at all and I take pride in it. It’s just another way that I can set an example for people.” Now, it’s not like he never uttered a cuss word. “I was little and when the first curse word left my mouth, I was shocked to hear it,” Colton recalls, squirming at the memory. 

VIDEO: Heejun Han on Being Eliminated from 'American Idol'

Skylar, who hails from Brandon Mississippi, had a similar experience. “I wouldn’t say that I’ve never cursed before, but I try not to,” she says. “I’m from a southern family, and we don’t talk like that.”

So how the hel -- er, heck -- do they deal with the dozens of potty-mouthed city folk they’re constantly surrounded with? Surprisingly, says Colton, “When people notice that you don’t cuss, they’ll refrain out of respect -- that’s really cool to see.” Now there's a shocker.

Twitter: @Idol_Worship