Southfield teen Malaya Watson reflects on her “Idol” experience
FYI
The seven remaining “American Idol” contestants will perform at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday on Fox (Channel 2 in Detroit). At 9 p.m. EDT Thursday, viewers’ votes will be tallied and the results revealed. Because celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. already used their only “save” to keep Sam Woolf last week, the group will be down to six by Thursday night. Visit www.americanidol.com.
Malaya Watson is grateful for a life-changing experience on “American Idol,” and many lessons learned. But the 16-year-old Southfield High School junior is unsure of her future.
She spent the last several months in Hollywood, being mentored by music industry icons and performing live weekly on TV. Watson’s quest to be the next “American Idol” ended Thursday after she received the fewest votes of the final eight contestants, who all performed during the two-hour Wednesday program. In a departure phone call Friday with reporters, Watson thanked her supporters for keeping her in the competition as the number of contestants dwindled.
Watson struggled for words to describe the experience of her “Idol” ride.
“The hardest thing was managing my time between school work and practicing my music,” said Watson. “It is really hard to balance it all.”
The youngest finalist ever to appear on the show, Watson said she is proud to be in the “Idol” history book. Performing on stage and working with “amazing people” are cherished memories, and she gave a shout out to judge Harry Connick Jr., the most critical of the three this season.
“Harry told me to focus on my craft instead of stardom,” Watson said. “I thought it was all about you and how you look, but it is your sound. Harry said work on my music, and I will. His advice was the best, because he was honest.”
Following her tearful farewell song, Watson was surrounded on stage by the remaining seven contestants. She later spoke with the judges, including a teary-eyed Jennifer Lopez.
“They told me that I will go far in a couple of years and see my name on marquees,” she said.
Watson credited her father, professional musician Ron Watson, for giving his daughter a strong musical foundation. Because of those lessons, when Connick spoke of technical matters, she understood his suggestions.
Looking back at the competition, Watson said she wishes she had accompanied herself on piano more often — and she had planned to play tuba on the show next week. When asked to predict who will become the next “Idol,” Watson said the remaining contestants are “so good that it’s hard to decide who might win.”
She heads back to Michigan immediately, and wants to have a party with the friends she has missed.
“I’m having a big old get together so I can see everybody,” she said.
While her school has been supportive, encouraging the community to vote for each performance, Watson was vague about plans to return. She said she may consider a private school for music or even business, and would like to attend college in the South. As far as her musical career, she said she’d love to work with former “Idol” winner Fantasia and Aretha Franklin. Watson performed Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” and Fantasia’s “I Believe” on the show.
And although “Idol” judge Keith Urban once said the energetic teenager makes braces and glasses “cool,” Watson hopes to get her trademark braces removed soon.
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