This morning, I said a final ‘goodbye’ to Katie Stevens and Andrew Garcia, who were eliminated from “American Idol” this week. Both contestants were glad to lean on each other. “I feel like we would be more down in the dumps if we weren’t together,” Katie explained. “We were in group round together [in Hollywood Week]. So we kind of went in it together and now we’re going out together.”
Katie will return home to Waterbury, Connecticut to finish up school so she can graduate. However, she is sad to report that she will still have to miss her graduation ceremony. “Yes, even though I’ve been eliminated, I will not make it to prom or walk at my graduation,” she said.
All is not lost though, because I had a special surprise for Katie! I did a little investigative reporting on her high school, Pomperaug High School, to find out the school colors. Today, I presented her with a black and red cap and gown and we held a mini graduation ceremony! Katie had lots of fun with this.
Katie explained to me that after the “Idol” tour wraps, this summer, she would put off college for a while to pursue her music career. “This is an opportunity. So while I have it, I’m going to take it,” she told me. “I could see getting a degree at some point in college but right now I’m just going to focus on this and try to get this while I have it.”
There was a report this morning that came out that Crystal Bowersox had a meltdown and wanted to quit the show a couple of weeks ago. I can tell you, after chatting with her backstage a couple of times on performance nights, she seemed to mostly be struggling with the lack of time with her family. Andrew, being a father to a two-year-old son Caelin, could relate, as the process of being on the show can be overwhelming on contestants with children. “There were moments where I was like, ‘Damn I need some sleep!’” he explained. .“I would just think of him and I was like, ‘OK, I’m gonna have to get back on that grind.’ Gotta do it!”
I mentioned how Siobhan Magnus and Crystal seemed to be struggling the most with the stress and Katie was quick to defend them. “I don’t think that they ever don’t want to do it. I mean, this is their dream. So they’re chasing after that and they’re doing a phenomenal job. I mean, everybody gets stressed out [be]‘cause it really is something that’s huge. When you think about the magnitude and how it will affect your life, it’s definitely crazy. So, I think, I think that they do great with managing everything and managing that stress.”
One thing is for sure… Every year I speak to contestants after they are eliminated and they all (in the end) are surprised at how much work the show really is. “It’s definitely a boot camp for your future,” Katie mused. “I’m one of the people that watched it and I’m like, ‘That’s easy you just get up on stage and they judge you. No big deal, I could do that.’ Then you get here and you’re like, ‘Oh my god!’ You’re tired. You’re stressed. You have to pick the right songs. You get really worried about being judged. It’s not easy at all and it takes a toll on you.”
But then again, the contestants are on the biggest show in the world, so in the end it’s gotta be worth all the stress, right?
“It’s better than working 9 to 5,” Andrew joked. “That’s what got me motivated.”
Both Andrew and Katie will be performing on our stage this afternoon. Be sure and watch Access Hollywood on Monday and Tuesday for their performances.
No newsletter this Monday as I will be taking a spin in the dark room on ABC’s “Dating In The Dark”! I’ll have that story next week.
In the meantime, to be sure to follow my updates on Twitter! twitter.com/dishofsalt
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