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| Madison Vandenburg performs on ABC’s “American Idol.”
Photo: ABC |
Is it time for another girl to win “American Idol?” The second season of ABC’s “American Idol” comes to a close with a live three-hour finale, airing in real time from coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 19. Real-time voting It’s a first for the show. In all of its previous seasons, including the years on FOX, the show has had a two-night event, with overnight voting. How the real-time voting will affect the voting remains to be seen, but the Top 3 finalists, Alejandro Aranda, Madison VanDenburg, and Laine Hardy are focused on performing and giving their best. So the question needs to be asked again. Could 17-year-old sensation Madison Vandenburg be the next idol?
The past “American Idol” winners have traditionally been boys which is why the “white guys with guitars” started for Idol. But powerhouse vocalists such as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jordan Sparks, Fantasia Barino, Candice Glover, and last year’s Maddie Poppe, all were crowned “American Idol” champions and Madison could be next.
Madison talked to TVMusic Network and other reporters after last Sunday’s show about being the only girl in the finale and what kind of music she would like to make.
Check out the interview below:
How do you feel going into the finale as the only girl?
Madison: That is so scary to me. Honestly, right now I’m really nervous that I’m the only girl out of the two other guys. But honestly, really, I’m so happy that I made Top 3 because no matter what happens at this point, I’m going to be happy with it, because I feel like if I didn’t make it tonight I’d probably be more disappointed in myself if I didn’t win, because it’s so close — and I got it! I’m just so excited.
How will you react if you win the show?
Madison: [She makes an excited face] I’m going to probably be like something like that. I don’t know, if I won the show, I think one, my life’s already changed, but I think it would just be such a game changer for me and in my life would never be the same. I’m so grateful already, even to be here at this point. So, like I really didn’t know how I’d be able to express my gratefulness if I won. Um, so I’m just ready for the ride and I’m excited.
Can you give us any fun behind the scenes tidbits or stories of being on “Idol” that we wouldn’t know that you guys have experienced on the journey?
Madison: In the mornings we all have a really early call time most of the time. And usually, it’s either me or Lacey [Kaye Booth] that would be the last ones out. So, what’s going on is that my dad would literally leave the room like a half an hour before we’re supposed to go down and he’d just sit outside on the bench and just wait for me because he knows that I’ll be like five minutes after the call time. I think the big thing that I think needs to be known is that the contestants and the crew are really family. That’s not like a funny tidbit, but I think it’s really important just because, you know what? I’m so excited. I’m so sorry. I feel like when the show’s over, we’re all going to still care about each other as much as we do right now. I’m just really grateful and I’m so happy to be here.
What time do you guys get up?
Madison: Show days are usually pretty early. Today was actually fairly not bad. I had 9:15 everyone else at 8:15, but usually like 7:30 you have to be downstairs. So, that means I have to wake up at like five to do makeup and hair, warm up and all that stuff, but it’s so worth it. Oh, my God, it’s so worth it.
Which was your favorite song that you sang tonight?
Madison: I think my favorite would either be the Mother’s Day or the Elton John song because I feel like when I sang “Your Song” … I sang the song really for my supporters and for the crowd there because the lyrics are so relatable to somebody. To me, I want to thank everyone who has gotten me this far. I feel like in that moment I was just so in it and so just thankful. I wanted people to know that everything I do is for them.
When you make your album, which artists would you like to work with?
Madison: I think I’d really love to work with an artist called James Arthur. I think he won “X-Factor.” He is just like one of the best artists I’ve ever heard in my entire life. That’d be a dream or Bebe Rexha, because she’s just such a cool woman, as an artist but also as a woman and Katy Perry. I dunno, a lot of like people like that I guess.
What are you going to do when you go home?
Madison: I think my boyfriend will be picking up at the airport, so definitely just give him a big hug. I’m just so excited to see him. Um, but see my dog, I’m so excited. You don’t think you’re going to miss him that much, and then you look through like your old videos of your dog and you’re like, “God, I miss you. I was like, tonight is for you because I want to come home tomorrow.” And just my family and my school. I’m just so excited to go see everyone at home. I’m just so grateful. Thank you.
