Interview With Brenna Gethers, 3/3/06

[hepcat]

What more can be said about Brenna Gethers’ American Idol experience? Trust me, nothing I could tantalize you with in this introduction could illuminate what makes Brenna so...Brenna more than reading the text of her media interview for yourself. In the meantime, I will say that Brenna would approve of me saying her name five times in this paragraph. I'm only up to four, so I had better get cracking. Read on to see how Brenna entertained questions from reporters. And I do mean “entertained.”

Q: Why didn’t you just go on The Apprentice? Why American Idol?

A: Oh, no, no, no. Not for me, darling. I think that American Idol is the best reality TV show out there. You won’t be seeing me doing Fear Factor and the rest of those things, or on The Apprentice.

Q: Yes, but on The Apprentice, you’re going after the money. Come on.

A: I am an American Idol singer. I’m a singer, I’m an actress, I’m all of the above. And now America sees, America’s my target area. You’ve got to read into it. America’s the target area that I’m looking for so America now knows who I am. It’s the largest watched show ever. That’s more than The Apprentice. Come on, Donald, you should know that.

Q: Now, do you think that your outpouring of confidence had anything to do with being eliminated? Do you think that might have turned people off?

A: Not at all. But I do feel that if a woman is assertive, she’s seen as aggressive or obnoxious or ruder. And if a man is assertive, he’s Simon Cowell, I guess. Or he’s doing what he has to do to get by in the business. So I think there’s a double standard that just needs to be – needs to catch up with this new century that we’re in. This new millennium, if you will.

Q: Well, thank you very much.

A: Thank you, Corey [Moss, MTV News]. I will be sending my tape to MTV so look out for it.

Q: Well, I just wanted to ask, were you guys offended last night when Paula and Simon seemed to be making jokes at like very tense moments, like right before you were finding out if you were eliminated? Paula and Simon are making jokes about fortune cookies and stuff like that. What was going through your head?

A: Well, they actually didn’t make any comments before mine.

Q: Yes, before yours they didn’t. But –

A: They didn’t. So I really don’t have any say on that. They didn’t make – I guess they knew better. I don’t know. I don’t know. They didn’t say anything before mine.

Q: Were you guys surprised, do you think, that they were saying stuff like that?

A: I mean, this is a TV show. You’re in the business, you know. It’s a TV show. Ryan Seacrest always makes it so intense and everyone’s sweating. Come on. It’s a TV show. They do what they need to do to get ratings. It’s great.

Q: So they were trying to just lighten the mood?

A: Oh, you know. They do what they do. They’re paid to do that. They’re paid to do what they do and they do it.

Q: Since you’re up for acting, are you interested in any daytime soaps?

A: Yes, I love them – excellent. I love Passions; I really do think that I can. I’ve seen them done before, soap operas. They’re really tough. But I think that with just a little bit of oomph, I can do it. I could do soap operas. I’d love to.

Q: And what type of character would you be interested in?

A: In any character I could be. The sexy siren, I could be the singer, if you will; I could be the receptionist since I’ve answered phone in my life but I won’t be going back to doing that. I could be the love interest. I could be the detective. I could be the lady who slept with the other man’s husband’s wife’s husband. You know, whatever.

Q: What are your thoughts on Paris since you got to know her a little bit?

A: I can’t comment on that because it’s about Brenna Gethers. Write that. You’ve got to either love it or hate it. But you will talk about it. I will be talked about.

Q: Fair enough. What other TV shows, types of TV shows are you interested in besides soaps?

A: Series. Dramadies, you know? Comedy.

Q: Any favorite shows?

A: Oh, my God. I love the Simpsons, love Curb Your Enthusiasm. I love that kind of dry humor; you kind of have to have a brain to laugh at it. Kind of like Curb Your Enthusiasm or even Seinfeld. A lot of people didn’t like him but if you really – he made sense and he made sense to me.

But anything that is willing to come my way, I’d do it. Even if they wanted me to host a TV show. Yes, whatever comes my way. I’ll field opportunities.

Q: So you were roommates with Becky, weren’t you? What’s the deal with the room then? Is there some bad Feng Shui going on in there or what?

A: No. I think the Feng Shui is Shui-ing all right.

Q: Is there anybody else in the room that we need to worry about?

A: There are two more people in the room but they’re on the show and you need to be talking to and about me.

Q: That ruins my next question. I was going to say, since you obviously took yourself to win this whole thing, who’s your pick to be the runner up and actually win it?

A: Actually, the secret rumor is that they’re going to ask me to come back on the show and I’m going to win the whole thing. Keep watching. Stay tuned.

Q: Or you could be a judge.

A: I could be a judge. I could be Simon Cowell’s vixen. Or I could be the first Brenna Gethers. You know, either way.

Q: Thanks.

A (to reporter from People magazine): Love it. Love it. I’m hoping to make your Sexy Top 100.

Q: One day, right?

A: We could be Idols, too, hello?

Q: Going back to Simon and Paula’s comments, did anyone ever get to the bottom of what they were even talking about? Like, was it talked about after the show? Was it ever explained what this whole fortune cookie thing? Like, did you know anything about it?

A: Well, they didn’t make any comments to me.

Q: I know, but you were in the room and you heard it and everyone was talking about it.

A: Yes, but they didn’t make any comments to me or even before me. So it was kind of like, maybe they knew better. Who knows? I don’t know. Maybe they were – I don’t know, afraid to make a comment. I don’t know.

Q: Well, Paula said that Simon was whispering in her ear. Did you see him whispering in her ear?

A: Well, remember, I was the first person to get eliminated, so I probably wasn’t around.

Q: You’ve been very outspoken about you’re willing to anything in the entertainment industry.

A: Yes, I think we’re very clear on that.

Q: You’re very, very clear on that. I was wondering if like there’s any thought of –

(Persons talking simultaneously).

… sincere and working against you and if you’ve thought about it in that light.

A: Has what worked against me?

Q: Just that you’re basically saying that you’re willing to do anything and somebody might take it as you’re not sincere about being a singer or –

(Persons talking simultaneously).

A: No, no, no. I don’t think so. I think if we really look at how singers and actually entertainers were in the day, it wasn’t so stick-in-the-mud, oh, I am just a singer, I am just a dancer, I am just an actress. You’ve got to be a triple threat, if we remember correctly when all of Hollywood wasn’t … and I think today, people are afraid to do all of them and to do them well. And for me, I’m like the Renaissance woman. I’m going to sing, I’m going act, I’m going to dance, I’m going to do it all. And either way, you’re going to know me.

Q: Are you going to do anything to prepare for those roles? Like take more acting lessons or singing lessons or anything to really kind of sell all of them?

A: If I need to, I will. If it comes to a point that I need to do it, then I’ll do it. If I don’t, like, I don’t think I need comedy lessons. I don’t know. I just tell the truth. If I were on Curb Your Enthusiasm, I don’t think I’d need to take an acting lesson for that. I’d just have to kind of bounce off of Larry David’s energy, you know? And I think that I don’t need an acting class for that.

So whatever comes my way, like I said, I’m fielding opportunities. I’m not going to jump at anything. But I am going to field opportunities and see what comes my way.

Q: All right. Well, good luck to you.

A: Thank you so much. Pitch it to the Editor, 100 Top People … Pitch it to the Editor.

Q: So Brenna, the whole time that you were on the show, I think that us viewers kind of got the idea that you were on the show- you were sort of treating the whole thing as kind of like a glorified audition. Like, yes, you’re a singer, but you also were just basically interested in getting your foot in the door and Idol was a great platform for you. Would you say that’s an accurate description?

A: I think Idol is a great platform for anyone. Of course, it’s American Idol, and it’s a singing competition. But anyone who thinks that it’s purely and merely a singing competition has another thing coming. There have been actresses that come out of this show; there have been so many different types of careers that came out of it.

And for me, of course, I love to sing. It’s my first love. I’m going to do that regardless. But for me, I’m in 150 million homes. Why not take full advantage of it and capitalize on it? This is America, home of capitalization. Why not do it?

Q: Well, keeping that in mind, when you were singing your song for the last time, did you have in mind okay, America, this is my last opportunity to just sort of wow everybody for my future career. What was going through your mind?

A: Heck no. This isn’t my last chance to woo America. Maybe my last chance to woo American Idol like fans, diehard fans. But I have fans and I think that’s the great thing about this show is that people really do root for you and stand behind you. And for me, just get ready. Your appetite has already been whet for Brenna, it’s been whetted for Brenna and you know what? You enjoy the ride, too, America. Because I’m going to enjoy it.

Q: Well, that being said then, while you’re fielding all the other opportunities that are going to come your way, do you think that you will continue to watch the show?

A: I think everyone should watch the show. It’s a great show and you know what? 70 million people watch – probably more votes than any election – actually 42 million votes. Probably the most votes ever in any election in the history of elections. So it’s a good show. Keep watching, guys.

Q: I know the high school in Mt. Vernon in general could be a tough place so I know that you were like an honors student and you went on to go to college and graduate. How were you able to stay focused even though your family struggled?

A: Anything that you want in life, and I think whether you come from Mt. Vernon, which has a lot of things going on or whether you come from a farm town, like Heather Cox did; you have to just be focused on what you want to do. If there’s anything in life that you must remember, it’s to reach for your dreams and to be focused because there’s so many distractions in life, whether it’s love or whether it’s – I’m not saying that love is a bad distraction but there’s love, there’s oh-my-goodness-I-still-have-to-pay-the-mortgage, there’s this, there’s that, there’s … there’s snow, whatever. You just have to remain to be true to yourself, wish for your goals and just have faith that God will take care of you. I’m a firm believer of that.

Q: Do you feel that being from Mt. Vernon, which is known for producing so much talent, does that play any role for you in growing up that knowing that you came from where other artists came from?

A: Absolutely. There’s a Mt. Vernon legacy. There’s Denzel and Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, Pete Rock, Ben Gordon, most recently; (background noise) and the list goes on. So for me, it’s just … it’s just – and I know I’m leaving some out so if you quote it, if you’re writing this down as a quote, please tell them I know I’m leaving some out.

But for me, it’s great to be part of that legacy because for me, this is just the beginning. I really do feel that and whether I’m doing my career in New York, on the East Coast or whether I’m having my career on the West Coast, it’s just get ready for Brenna. It may take some time to get her up and rolling, full speed ahead. Even a Porsche takes about four seconds to go from zero to sixty. Just give me some time. But I am well on my way.

Q: Now, you had mentioned that you’re open to any kind of opportunities out there. But would you rather sing than act?

A: No. I want to be a triple threat. I want to sing, I want to act, I want to be able to dance. I really want to do it all and I always try to remind people of that. In old Hollywood, people were able to dance, sing and act equally well. And now, in today’s time, if you’re a singer, you can’t be an actor; if you’re an actor, don’t even try to sing, don’t try to dance. … do anything. That’s why all these other shows are coming out great because they’re kind of stepping over the line – the career line, so to speak.

But for me, I want to do what I do and I want to do it well. And an entertainer entertains. So that’s what I want to do. I just don’t want to be the next singer or the next “it” singer. I want to be an entertainer and also learn the business because singers come and go but producers stay forever.

Q: Do you had any words of wisdom from the judges after about your career and how you should attack it?

A: I spoke to a few judges – a few means three, so I spoke to a couple judges because a couple means two post-show. What we all have to remember is that this is a TV show and like I always – people saw me rough and tough. I was competing with XYZ, the competitor, not the human being. And I think people get lost in the drama of reality shows and oh, this person hates this person. No, it’s not that. It’s just that we’re all vying for the same job. And the advice that I was given, to me, really did – I guess it really did help me even more so on in the direction. And a lot of people have, in the past, sometimes fallen through the cracks of the American Idol machine. But I don’t think that, with the best line that I’ve given in probably American Idol history about if you want to be coal in my diamond, then bling bling and shine on. I don’t think you could forget someone who says that, you know what I mean? I really don’t.

I liken the American Idol experience – oh, I’ve got it. I liken the American Idol experience as a diving board. I’m able to spring off of it and dive into the pool of possibilities that awaits me. I really do feel like America has gotten a chance to know me; either love me or hate me. But they’re talking about me around their water coolers; they’re stopping right now from typing from their busy jobs to talk about me and I think that’s awesome.

I’m just a little ol’ Jane Schmo from the street that someone is thinking enough to talk about me. It’s great.
Q: Knowing that you are a black belt in Shotokan, were you ever, at any point, tempted to give someone a karate chop?

A: A karate chop? Simon almost made me give him a karate chop once.

Q: Really?

A: Yes. I saw him in a dark alley, he was stalking me and I almost karate chopped him because I was like, what are you doing? Simon, Simon, karate chop.

Q: A lot of the judges were talking about how cute Kevin was and Ace was and stuff. I want to know what guy the girls were talking about the most and gushing over.

A: Me. They were all gushing over me. And I said, ladies, ladies, ladies, calm down. I am taken. Ladies, calm down. I have a boyfriend. Step away. That’s exactly what happened..

Q: I know that you’re all-knowing, but did you learn anything during American Idol that you’re going to apply to your future?

A: Yes. Be comfortable in being yourself. I don’t care if Simon doesn’t like you, if Paula doesn’t like you, if Randy doesn’t like you or America doesn’t like you. Be who you are because God made you that way. And I always say if you have a problem with who I am, you can always call my father, he has a 24-hour hotline. His name is Jesus. Just call him and he’ll be there.

Many thanks to FOX for this revealing peek into Brenna’s world.

[Google]

 

[drnick]

Argh!!! I just want to say, "shut up, SHUT UP!!!"

[jasminefan]

Yuck... what a self-absorbed biatch

[suncat7]

I dislike Brenna even MORE now.

Thanks for sitting through that for us, Hepcat! Great job!

[JLuvs]

I wouldn't have her any other way, but thanks for sitting through that Hep.

[sleepysluggo]

This makes me want to slap Brenna into another dimension.

Thank you, hep, for getting through this.

[Jewelsy]

Good Gawd. She’s even more obnoxious than I remember.

A: Oh, you know. They do what they do. They’re paid to do that. They’re paid to do what they do and they do it.

Huh?

A: I can’t comment on that because it’s about Brenna Gethers. Write that. You’ve got to either love it or hate it. But you will talk about it. I will be talked about.

A: There are two more people in the room but they’re on the show and you need to be talking to and about me.

A: Actually, the secret rumor is that they’re going to ask me to come back on the show and I’m going to win the whole thing. Keep watching. Stay tuned.

Her self-centered and grandstanding attitude is nauseating.

Hep, thanks for enduring her arrogance during the interview, and enduring it all over again to transcribe it.

[Krom]

Originally Posted by jasminefan

Yuck... what a self-absorbed biatch

Even before I read this post I was thinking all by myself... "Wow. So she really IS a biatch!!!"

[Ana Bannana]

Why did I just waste 10 minutes reading this?

[razorbacker]

I presume that now all the producers, not just Clive & Nigel, but all the producers are on the phone to Brenna wanting to "Make Some Money." There are those folks in life that are just meant to be ignored & this self promoting delusional idiot goes right to the top of the list.