“Any Miranda Lambert song makes me wanna sing,” 18-year-old Mississippi native Skylar Laine tells THR about the inspiration for belting out her country rock style vocals. Laine also confessedher desire to be the girl version of Waylon Jennings and her fear about hitting the American Idol stage.
“What inspired me to sing, ever since I was a kid, was Patti LaBelle,” the 17-year-old Northern California native tells THR. Brackensick also confesses his love of Hawaiian culture, singing and hula dancing and his secret skill, the Ukulele.
“It feels like we’re walking without a leg,” the 20-year-old Tennessee native tells THR about losing some of his closest friends in the elimination show. The season 11 finalist confesses that he is a huge Chris Daughtry fan and how he like to get his “Jesus on” with the song “Everything” by Lifehouse.
“When I was 5-years-old I used to sing Britney Spears,” Florida native Jeremy Rosado, now 19, tells THR about one of his early inspirations in life. The season 11 finalist also opened up about getting a second chance thanks to a wild card slot.
“I don’t know what happened, it just magically came out,” said Jessica Sanchez, American Idol season 11 finalist, of her first live performance. The 16-year-old San Diego girl told THR that she was very comfortable on stage, much like her vocal idol, Whitney Houston.
“I’ve been pinching myself, 20 times, on my butt, but this is not a dream,” 22-year-old Heejun Han cracked to THR. The New York native and season 11 comedic relief confesses his budding bro-mance with fellow finalist Phillip Phillips as well as his musical inspirations, Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett.
“I’m not used to being the center of attention…it was kind of strange,” said Phillip Phillips at the season 11 0Top 13 party. The 20-year-old Georgia boy revealed his favorite vocalist, Johnny Lang, among others and gushed about his proud papa to THR.
Beyonce is my most inspiring role model… she’s the whole package,” 16-year-old Shannon Magrane tells THR. The Florida native shares with us her father’s philosophy on nerves and how supportive the rest of her family is during this process.
Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera are just a few of 18-year-old Hollie Cavanagh's inspirations. “We’re going to win it this season, it’s going to be a chick,” the season 11 finalist — some might even say frontrunner — promises.
Bonnie Rait, Michael Jackson and James Brown are among the inspirations for 28-year-old South Carolina resident Elise Testone. The season 11 finalist talks about her gig opening for Snoop Dogg and her newfound fascination with juggling and other secret talents.
“We just felt like true stars that night,” said Joshua Ledet, American Idol season 11 finalist, about how it felt to sing on the Idol stage in front of a live audience. The 19-year-old Louisiana native told THR how he arrived at his song selection and why his number one inspirational song is Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
“I get it from my mom,” New Jersey native Jermaine Jones, 25, tells THR of his booming low vocals. The gentle giant, as it turns out, is a mama's boy as the season 11 finalist explains.
“When they called my name for the wild card…I had a small breakdown,” the 26-year-old Rhode Island native tells THR about getting a second chance to be a finalist on American Idol. Erika Van Pelt also shares her love of The Beatles as well as a lengthy list of rock and blues inspirations and her hometown pride.