Conference Call Interview With Camile Velasco

[lobeck]

I recently took part in a conference call with Camile Velasco, the fourth person voted off of the FOX show American Idol. Here's what she had to say:

One of the things the judges commented on several times is that you appeared to be pretty uncomfortable on stage. Were you as uncomfortable as it seems?
Um, I don't think it really came out like that. Initially, I was…like the very first week. But every week, it gets easier and easier, you know? And if you've noticed, the last two times, Simon hasn't commented about me being nervous at all.

Out of all the finalists, it seems like you were the most excited to meet Elton John. How was that experience for you?
It was so…it was insane, you know? I mean, his presence when he's in the same room as you is so powerful. It was really an honor to meet him.

When Ryan announced your group as the Bottom Three, and then when you found out you were in the Bottom Two, what was running through your mind?
Um, I was just trying to prepare myself, you know, for the worst. I just thought that whatever happens, happens. It's been a wonderful ride.

When you sang your song on the Results Show, you changed up the lyrics a bit. Why was that?
I just wanted to do something fun. I thought, "This could be my last performance", so I thought I'd sing something a little different.

Paula said that if you wanted to pursue singing, you'd have to move to the West Coast. Is that something you plan on doing?
Oh, definitely. I'm definitely going to come out here. This is where I need to be. Yeah, I'm definitely going to do that.

It was clear on Wednesday's show that you were upset about leaving, but how are you feeling now that it's settled in and other doors are opening up for you?
Um, I was thinking I shouldn't really be upset, because I'm not upset at all. It's been a great experience, and I couldn't ask for anything more, you know?

You have a very unique style and persona. Do you think the idea of "theme nights" infringed on your ability to show off your unique style?
Um, maybe a little bit, you know? I mean, if we had a Lauryn Hill Week, that'd be really awesome for me. (*laughter*) Or maybe a week where we could pick our own songs. But, yeah, it's kind of…I mean, it's not really hard, I guess, when you have themes, but there are some where it would be harder to infuse your style than others.

There is a rumor going around that you've already been offered a record deal. Can you elaborate on that at all?
You know, I'm not allowed to talk about that.

Who do you see in the Final Two and then the eventual winner?
You know, I can't do that, either. I mean, any one of them could take it. Every one of them deserves it in their own right.

When you were hugging Jasmine at the end of the show, what did you say to her?
I just told her to hold it down for Hawaii and to represent Hawaii and take us further in the competition because there's only one of us left.

What do you think drew so many fans to you, and then what do you think caused America to not send enough votes your way this week?
I don't know. (*laughter*) I don't know. Maybe my fans like my style and my passion when I sing. I probably got cut because I didn't pick the right song and didn't get such good comments the night before.

What did the people involved with you say to you after the show on Wednesday?
They just told me that this is a new beginning for me and that I really need to just go out there and go get 'em because I can.

Who do you feel you got closest to during your stay on the show?
Well, I'm really good friends with Fantasia, Latoya, and Amy. Us four were really good friends with each other. We were roommates.

What judge do you think gave you the best advice?
Um…I think it would be Paula.

Did Jasmine say anything to you when the two of you were hugging?
Um, no. I said something to her.

When you were packing to leave the mansion, what was going through your mind?
You know, I thought I was going to be upset, but I really wasn't. I just thought, "It's my time." I mean, it had to come sometime, you know?

Have you talked to your dad in Japan? What did he say?
Yeah, I have talked to him. He's really excited. Everybody's really excited about the opportunity I've been given.

What did Simon tell you after the show?
Um, he told me that I was special and that I needed to just go for it.

When you were watching your tribute video, you were crying and laughing. What made you cry and what made you laugh?
Well, it was sad because I knew I'd be leaving everyone. What made me laugh was just seeing my package and reliving all the fun times.

Is someone coaching you on style, fashion, etc.?
We have stylists, but generally we pick our own clothes.

How do you prepare for your performances?
I don't really have a specific way that I prepare. I just try to relax and be at peace.

Would you prefer having parents in the AI house or not?
Um, it doesn't matter to me.

How did the group feel about the fact that William Hung was the first one this season with a record deal?
You know, we all think it's great for him. He has a really good attitude, and he deserves it. I think he's having a lot of fun.

What was your impression of Paula?
Oh, Paula is awesome, you know? I mean, you're a little girl and you grow up watching her videos, and now she's talking to us. It's super cool. She's awesome.

Why do you think the competition was so important to the people of Hawaii?
Well, not many things come out of Hawaii, and Hawaii is such a small place. When something does, everyone tends to support the home team.

What are your thoughts about the way the voting is going this year? It does seem like some overmatched contestants are staying around longer than they should. Do you guys see it that way?
It's always a surprise how things turn out, you know? More and more people vote every week, so it's neat.

What did you learn from the other contestants?
You know, I think that overall I learned to be a better listener…to develop my listening skills and to be more patient. And to just take negative energy and channel it into positiveness and better yourself.

Did you have a chance to get to know George Huff at all?
Not as much as I did the other contestants.

Is there anything you can tell us that would surprise us about George?
Not really. George is pretty much what you see on the show. What you see on TV, that's what George is.

What is going to be your first step in terms of moving to L.A.?
I'm definitely going to move out to L.A. in a couple of months and try to get gigs.

When the judges kept commenting on your apparent nervousness, do you think that pretty much put the writing on the wall in terms of your fate on the show?
No, I don't think so. For the first show, I actually wasn't really that nervous. Simon seems to think so, though. I've probably been on stage about 15 times.

What might we expect on your first album whenever it comes out?
Definitely a more hip-hop, a more urban…a more urban kind of style.

What are your impressions of Jasmine?
She's a really nice girl. She's really sweet.

What made you get so emotional about meeting Elton John?
I tried not to, but I couldn't help it. (*laughter*) But, he's like a living legend, and you can't believe he's sitting right in front of you, you know? You grow up listening to him, and he's got so many great song, and…and all those feelings just piled up on me.

The judges seemed to like your more R&B style. Why did you decide to change it? Was it to conform to the theme each week?
Um, I don't really think I changed it. But, we are doing different themes each week, and it's sometimes harder to infuse your own style in certain weeks than in other.

Do you think having another girl from Hawaii hurt your chances on the show?
Um, I don't really think so. If it did anything, it helped to have the support up there from her.

Are you satisfied with where you finished?
You know, I'm satisfied. It had to happen sometime, you know? It's been such a great experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Do you miss Maui?
(*laughter*) Of course, man! I miss Maui so much. I talk about it every single day.

What do you miss the most?
I just miss the vibe and the people. I mean, the people here in L.A. are nowhere near like the people in Maui. I would die for some luau food. Dude, me and Jasmine talk about it all the time!

When you were choosing a song to sing, what did you take into consideration?
Songs I like…songs that mean something to me. Usually, the song I sang was a song my parents liked, too. Just songs that I could have fun with.

Was there ever a song you wanted to sing that they couldn't clear?
For my Group 2 performance, I wanted to sing En Vogue's "Don't Let Go", but that didn't happen.

Do you all ever change things based on what the judges say?
You know, people would come backstage and be all bummed, but we would tell each other, "Don't take it so personally. We're better than that."

Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?
Just thank you so much for your love and support and for helping me get this far in the program. It's been a wonderful experience.

My thanks to Camile for taking the time to talk to us and to the people at FOX for arranging the interview.

[Google]

 

[RubenIZMyne]

Camile seems like a down to earth person. I hope something good comes of all of this for her.

[DJeterFan]

Thanks, lobeck. I've been waiting to read this.

[sher]

thanks for the interview, lobie. about the same amount of personality as she showed on the program.

[Sarahgirl]

Um, Lobeck that was, like, um a great interview! you know what I mean?

[chrelsey]

Great recap, Lobeck!

Wasn't it Amy who also used "you know" like a 1,000 times??? Dang, I must be getting old, you know!

[danny]

Thans Lobeck -
I really enjoyed her time on the show. It was interesting what she said about George.I also thought she was close to JPL. I read somewhere that he said they were close. hmm... I really do hope she has a steady future out of this and I look forward to followingher career and supporting her!

[AIWANNABE]

Great Interview Lobes! You Know?

[caliqueen16]

Um, wonderful, um, interview, um, lobeck. Um...thanks.

[IdolBud123]

Great recap Lobes, its obvious that she has been offered a contract since she said she wasn't allowed to talk about it.