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NEWS : STORIES
John Stevens was the love-him-or-hate-him contestant of "American Idol." He struggled to mold his crooning style into different genres, but won over viewers with his polite smile. In the end, the shy 16-year-old from East Amherst, New York, was the
MTV: Jennifer Hudson said that you whispered to her the night she was voted off that it should have been you. And then she said that you've said that before. John Stevens: I think everyone preps themselves for the worst before every Wednesday night. That's what I do. And when I don't, I feel sad that the other person's leaving. And one of my ways of handling that is feeling guilty. And that's what happened. MTV: Wednesday night we saw everyone in tears. You obviously made pretty good friends with these people. Stevens: They're like a second family. MTV: The judges were extremely harsh on you. Were they more kind off camera? Stevens: I think a lot of what they're saying is for show. It's criticism but with an extra boost to get controversy, or whatever you want to call it, to up the ratings of the show. That's my opinion. MTV: Simon complimented you on how well you took the criticism. Was part of that strategy on your part? Stevens: That's just me. I don't talk back. Even if I want to, I don't talk back. That's just my personality. MTV: There was a theory going around that you were doing so well because you had the Clay Aiken grandma votes. Stevens: The Claymates. I think I do appeal to a wide range of voters, that's probably why I'm here. And I think I do appeal to the same kind of voter that Clay appeals to. MTV: With "American Idol," you had to expand upon what you might normally sing. Was that enjoyable? Was it fun to sing a Gloria Estefan song? Stevens: It was different and eventually I did get into it. I had to grow in many ways vocally. So, I enjoyed it. MTV: With the kind of music you're known for, the classic crooning style, did you feel like you were educating kids a little bit on that? Stevens: That was one of the best parts about this competition, that I got to show a lot of kids out there that there are other types of music besides what they listen to. [Some] of my fans have started buying Frank Sinatra CDs and stuff, so that's very cool. MTV: People have said you could be the male Norah Jones with that sort of smooth voice. Do you see yourself on a jazz label like Blue Note? Stevens: I could see myself on that type of label, but for right now I'm concentrating on school, the tour in the summer, and hopefully getting accepted into college, like Berklee College of Music or something like that. MTV: Do you know what song you want to sing on the tour? Do you have a favorite from the show? Stevens: Fun wise, I'd have to say "King of the Road." But vocally, I'd have to say "Mandy" is my favorite, 'cause I think I showed the most emotion and I think I brought that song to life. MTV: Do you have a pick to win it? Stevens: No. They're all fantastic. They all have great voices. It's anyone's game. This report is provided by MTV News
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