American Idol Top Four Interview: A Chat with Anthony Fedorov

[Mantenna]

This morning, I had the privilege of listening in on a conference call interview with top four contestant, Anthony Federov, who was sent home on this week’s results show. Anthony’s every bit as polite and friendly as he was on the show, and here’s what he had to say:

Question: References have been made to this week being a very emotional one. Was there anything in particular that made it more emotional than past weeks? Was it the messages from family on the screen or just everything? What was it?

Anthony: I think it was just everything in general because you come so close to getting the gold medal--I’ve come a little bit short! A combination of everything that was happening, I just think it got to some people this week.

Q: If you had it to do all over again, would you do it any differently than you have?

A: You know what? I don’t think I would have. You have to experience the goods and the bads in order to appreciate the whole experience, so I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I’m just happy that this ride is over for me on a high note because I felt like I finally did a good job, and I don’t usually say that ‘cause I’m never happy with what I’m doing, but I felt like I did a good job. I’m gonna miss it.

Q: Did you get tired of the Clay Aiken comparisons from the very beginning? Did that bug you at all?

A: You know what, it didn’t really bug me. It was kind of cool to be compared to someone who is very successful. It was nice, but one of the things I was hoping to do was just distinguish myself as an individual. I wanted to separate myself as an artist. I don’t want to be compared to somebody; I want to be myself. So, it didn’t really bother me. I was kind of proud to kind of wear that badge.

Q: Did you feel that you actually went beyond it in a sense by the time the show got to this point?

A: I did not think that I was going to be here at this point. I mean every contestant that is on there, I don’t think they . . . I think they’d say the same thing because the competition is so good and everybody is so good in their ways. You think you’re the one to go. This week is my lucky day. (Laughs)

Q: Can you kind of take us through the point where you and Carrie both decided to do the same song. That hadn’t come up until now. Who said it first and did either one of you go back and forth about “oh should I sing it or shouldn’t I sing it.” How did you feel when judges trashed her version and praised yours?

A: Well, you know, we did not know that we were singing the same song at first, because, like, this is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I heard I could do this song, and I was like, I’m doing this song! I have to. Then a little bit later on I find out that Carrie . . . she’s doing the same song, and I’m like, “Wow I’m doing the same thing, and we were both really excited to just deliver two really, really good versions of that song, and I honestly felt like she did a great job . . . she did a great job with her song. And then with the arrangement, she put some things in there that certainly made it interesting. I don’t think that she . . . you know the comments she received were the right ones. I just sang it just like she did. I did my best with it and they told me good things and I appreciate it. But I just wish . . . they wouldn’t have said, like trashed her because she did a wonderful job with it.

Q: Some of your friends were saying (Steven) that he was upset with the closed captioning situation. Did you think there should have been a revote because of the closed-captioning?

A: Actually, I didn’t know anything about it.

Q: ‘Til someone told you about it in the meantime?

A: My brother sent me a message and said, “What’s wrong with the voting again?” I’m like, what do you mean what’s wrong with the voting. Actually I don’t know what happened or . . . you know . . . but listen I’m not really thinking about that too much.

Q: Were there any concerns when you did the little highlight packages each episode about how much of your past you were sharing and whether that was sort of being used like oversharing or being used in a manipulative way?

A: No. You know what, I don’t think it was used in a manipulative way. I’m just hoping that some of the things that happened to me in the past inspired a lot of people, and I’m glad that I was able to share it. I shared that part of my life not for the sake of getting votes, but just it’s something that happened to me, and there is no other way around it. I’m hoping that it did a lot of good to other people and that it’s going to encourage people to appreciate life in a way that I do.

Q: You were talking about the Clay Aiken comparisons and assuming that you intend to put out a solo album at some point. So what will you do to distinguish yourself?

A: You know what; I’m just doing to do the things that I love most. I just really want to put out a couple of really, really, nice, beautiful ballads. I want to incorporate maybe some Latin aspect to my music to my ballad, because my whole influence comes from Latin music. So I’m just looking forward to putting that out and just maybe mixing it with some European thing or rockish thing like Brian Adams, Richard Marx type thing , you know, Michael Bolton. . . . Something like that, and see where that takes me.

Q: Will the cover art have your glasses or no?

A: I don’t think so. I think I’ll stick with the contacts for a while.

Q: There was an earlier question about the emotions this week, and I just wanted to ask if that ABC report and the stories about some of the singers past had any effect on you guys?

A: Actually they did not have any effect on us at all because there are too many things going on, and you have to think of only one thing and that is your performance. We really did not even discuss it all because it’s just . . . didn’t have time for it, you know.

Q: Was there ever any concern that it might take attention away from the singing or did you ever feel . . . .

A: No. Not at all. Honestly these things, unfortunately, happen and Paula, she’s been amazing to us the whole time, and I’m sure that things are going to be fine. We had to focus on our performances, which we did. It didn’t affect us at all.

Q: In regard to your makeover, how much input did you get and how much of it do you plan on sticking with after the show is over?

A: Well I’ve been lucky enough to be around some people that actually know what they’re talking about, so. . . . The beautiful thing is they didn’t really try to change me. What they did is kind of help me discover a little bit more in depth of who I am as a person in terms of my style, so not much changing going on. Just a lot more of me came out that I didn’t know was there in the past.

Q: Did you get to pick your wardrobe?

A: We have a stylist, and I have a sense of style of what I like and the things I like to wear. I couldn’t have done it without the help of the stylist. But, yeah, we usually go with the stylist and he helps us out.

Q: Since the season Simon was always particularly rough with you. Talk about your relationship with him. Is it a love-hate?

A: I have a lot of respect for him because he’s the way his personality is on the show, and it’s pretty brilliant because everyone looks at him as this menace that everyone just likes to hate. But in reality, if you just really take what he is saying in the right way, and you filter out all the silly comments he makes, and you really focus on the most important meaning behind the comment, that actually can help you out a lot. I have tough skin because of that, and I’m thankful for that, so it’s been an experience being judged by him, and I’m hoping maybe I’ll have a chance to work with him in the future, somehow.

Q: Have you signed a contract yet to do a solo album? Has anyone approached you from “19,” the producers of the show?

A: Well I don’t know what’s going to happen honestly, because the bubble I’ve been living in is so small, I feel like a little baby that’s just been born . . . that just came out into the world. You don’t know how big the world is and what’s out there because I’ve been living in this bubble. But we’ll see what happens. I’m sure there’s going to be good things for me.

Q: Who are you rooting for to win now that you’re out of the competition?

A: You know, at this point, it’s up for grabs. It’s just like three different people, three different personalities, and America is going to decide. We’ll see what happens. I honestly don’t have a favorite.

Q: A bunch of former Idol finalists have been in the audience. Did you guys have a chance to talk to any of them?

A: Yeah, I had a chance to get to know some of them—LaToya, Jasmine, John Stevens, Jon Peter Lewis. They’re really, really, really cool, and it’s been nice to have finally met them because you’ve watched them before and it’s cool. It’s very cool.

Q: Have you compared notes with them on differences between the seasons. Do you guys see any differences between your years or you as being there as a performer. Is anything different for you than what you’d seen in the past or what you’d imagined?

A: We haven’t really compared and said, like, my season was better than your season or something. You know I think this season is very special in its own way because of the diversity that’s on the stage every week. It makes it that much more special to be a part of it. When I spoke to the past contestants, it’s nice to hear their input on the experiences that they went through when they were on the show. It makes you feel better. (Laughs.)

Q: You mean diversity as the different musical genres and stuff. . . .

A: Yeah. Just the different talent that’s on the stage. Just to me so many different styles and just makes it that much better to watch.

Q: You mentioned that you took Simon’s advice to heart. Was there anything in particular that stood out of what he said that you really embraced, or just sort of his general push toward improving you?

A: There is one thing that stood out for me during the Hollywood week, actually. I’ll be honest—I didn’t push myself very hard because I felt in the back of my mind, yeah I’m going to get through, which was completely wrong. And when we had the group week, that was my most disappointing day ever because I did not perform very well, and I knew it, and I just kind of slapped myself in the face. . . . I can’t believe I didn’t worked as hard as I should. After I performed Simon told me that “we were really disappointed in you today,” and that really hit me because you should be pushing yourself every single day. Ever since then I never took a single second for granted. I just try to work as hard as I can.

Q: So there wasn’t anything in particular—just that push he gave you, right , to make sure you’re always striving 150%?

A: Right. Absolutely.

Q: Which was your favorite Ford commercial participation? The one where you were in disguise as the plant and the refrigerator?

A: Yeah. That was awesome. That was a lot of fun, man. I really enjoyed that commercial. [You were really the star of that one.] Yeah, all the makeup put on you, and you changed the outfits. I had a good time on that.

Q: How long does it take to put one of those commercials together?

A: It takes about eight hours to make a commercial.

Q: Are you really coming home this week, or are you staying out on the west coast.

A: I am going to be home this week. I’m going to come back for a couple of days, and then I’m going to fly back here for the finale. Going on tour this summer and looking forward to it. I know the tickets should be going out on sale this coming week. It’ll be fun. But, yeah, I’m definitely coming home by the end of this week.

Q: Are you planning a big party or is your family planning something for you? Do you know?

A: I don’t know. I’m just trying to get some rest. I need to kind of sink in everything that happened and relax, so if I can keep things quiet for a day or two that will be nice, but I imagine that’s going to be pretty tough to do. (Laughs)

Q: You seem very nice, and I think that’s part of your appeal is that you just seem like a nice, friendly person; it certainly comes across. Do you think of yourself that way, as a nice person? I’m wondering where that comes from. Has anyone mentioned this to you? What do you think about that?

A: You know, I don’t really look at myself as anything out of the ordinary. It’s just like the most important thing that I try to focus on everyday of my life is that I like to make other people feel better. I don’t see the point in creating problems or giving someone a hard time. And I like the fact that people say “he’s a nice guy or he was fun to be around, or you’re great to work with” because if you make somebody’s day, that makes my day. I just like to give, so I’ve always been like that.

Q: Where does that come from? Your parents?

A: My parents are awesome. My mom has a good heart and so does my dad. I can thank them for that. I guess I’ve been raised in the right way.

Q: You said earlier you didn’t think you’d make it as far as you did. How far did you anticipate making it?

A: You know what, I don’t even know because you get to the Top 24 and you’re oh my god, I can’t believe I made it. Then you get to the Top 12 and like oh my god, I can’t believe I made it, and then every week you don’t know whether you’re going on to the next round. So, I didn’t really have any expectations. I just kind of went with the ride for as long as possible.

Q: Did you have a favorite performance?

A: I think that on Tuesday was my best night out of all of them. That’s why I’m glad that I went out on a high note.

Q: Was there ever a song you really, really wanted to sing one week, but couldn’t get it cleared. Did that happen often throughout the show?

A: It happened a couple of times, but it is what it is because everyone works very, very hard to make sure that we get the songs that we want. You know people bust their butts off around the clock to make sure that things get cleared in time, and it doesn’t always happen. And that’s all right; it’s part of the process. It frustrated me sometimes because I wanted to get the things I wanted to get, but they work very hard, and you have to go by the things that you can do. Magic just doesn’t happen. It’s all right, though.

Q: Any song in particular?

A: I was actually. . . the song that finally got cleared is a song by Marc Anthony. It’s a song called “Love is All.” I was looking forward to singing it next week, but I guess I’m going to have to maybe do that song on tour. I’ve been dying to sing that song, and it finally got cleared, but it’s going to have to wait for a little bit.

Q: At the end of the show all the judges tend to pull you aside after you’ve been voted off and to whisper things into your ear. Was there anything that stood out to you of what the judges said as encouragement on that last episode?

A: You know what, just all three of them said that the most important thing that counts is that it’s just the beginning and it certainly is. They just wished me a lot of luck and a lot of support. I finally had a chance to thank Simon for all his “tough love” that I got from him, so it was pretty special.

Q: Carrie was real (sic) emotional last night, and you guys got to sing a little bit of a duet. Did you guys become really close friends or was she the person you were closest to. Was there anyone else?

A: Yeah we’ve definitely gotten . . . you know . . . we formed a really good friendship over this whole process, but not just Carrie—Bo and Vonzell and Constatine, Scott. Everyone that’s been a part of this journey I have a really, really good relationship with. It was pretty tough to kind of part from that for a little bit.

Q: Since they really didn’t give you a chance to say “good-bye” last night, what would you have said to the audience if you had that chance?

A: I would just say thanks to all my fans that got me up to this point, because you know without the fans you wouldn’t be anywhere, and I certainly appreciate every vote, every second that they sat on the phone and voted constantly because it helped me get through. And when I create my album, my solo album, I’m going to give it all back to them. I’m going to put as much of myself into that album as I can. So that’s my main goal, and I just wanted to say thank you.

Q: Any closing remarks?

A: I just wanted to again thank everyone for everything. It’s a nice little beginning—it’s a nice big beginning—for me, and I’m just looking forward to working with everyone in the future, more interviews, and more questions. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the ride for this show. There are going to be a lot of good things happening for me, hopefully. So thank you.

Thank you, Anthony, for your time, answers, and performances on the show! All the best to you in the future.

To contact the transcriber of this interview, send an E-Mail to Mantenna@fansofrealitytv.com

[Google]

 

[Bill]

Thank you Manny for getting this great interview!

[oneTVslave]

Excellent job with the interview, Manny! Thanks!

[hepcat]

Thank you Manny for getting us the interview!

I want to incorporate maybe some Latin aspect to my music to my ballad, because my whole influence comes from Latin music.

I only follow the show casually, but this sentence surprised me.

[caragwapa]

you know what? he sure says you know what a lot!!

[famita]

Thanks Manny-it sounded like a great interview!

[RubyRed]

Thanks for posting the interview; I've missed them.

Anthony sounds wise for his age. I wish him success!

[Ana Bannana]

Thanks Manny - nicely done.
Anthony seems like a pretty level headed young man. I am sure he will have great fun on tour. In my opinion, I can see him as a broadway singer somewhere down the road.

[marybethp]

What a great interview Manny. Thanks!!!

[sleepysluggo]

I may be in the minority, but I'll miss Anthony.

Great job on getting this, Manny!