West Bloomfield ‘Idol’ reflects on experience and the future
Sam Woolf has become a well-known name and brand among American Idol fans. His all-American good looks earned him the title of the ‘Cutest Idol Ever’ and his fans declared themselves the ‘Woolfpack’. The producers at “American Idol” took note of the echoing screams Woolf received each time he stepped on the stage, knowing thousands and thousands of teen girls were glued to the TV screen when their heartthrob performed. Thursday night the Oakland County native received the fewest number of votes and left the show, for now.
Sam Woolf was born in West Bloomfield into a musical family, stretching back several generations. He was a student at the Scotch Elementary School in West Bloomfield, and says he has great memories of Michigan. He moved to Florida in 2006 at the age of nine, and currently lives with his grandparents in Bradenton, Fla. Woolf is a senior at Bradenton River High School, where students have been actively supporting his campaign to become the next “American Idol”. In an exit interview on Thursday, Woolf said he hopes to attend his high school graduation, but will miss the prom on May 17 because he will be California rehearsing for the program finale, May 21.
The folks at “American Idol” did everything possible to keep Sam Woolf on the show. A few weeks ago, Woof received the lowest number of votes, but the judges used their one “save” of the season, to keep him in the competition. Last night in an “Idol” first, the five finalists were presented with what would have been another lifeline, although they did now know who was destined to go home. The finalists had to all agree to keep everyone on the program this week, but two contestants would leave after the results show next Thursday. The vote was split, 3-yes and 2-no.
“We all huddled to talk it over,” said Woolf. “At first we all said, let’s do this, but then some said it was best to keep things as they are, because two people leaving next week would be hard. We didn’t know who would be going home this week, but it is probably better not having it like that.”
He says he doesn’t know how the other contestants voted, but confided that he thought he might be the low vote-getter this week because of his performance Wednesday night of a song chosen for him by “Idol” fans. The song “It’s Time” called for a falsetto, which he didn’t attempt.
Reflecting on his “idol” experience, Woolf was clear that he is not comfortable with the “heartthrob” title he was given.
“I would not place myself in the category, and it made me uncomfortable sometimes,” said Woolf. “It is not who I really am. I am not a heartthrob. I was just a singer/songwriter when I came on and didn’t really think I fell into the heartthrob category until later, when they placed me in it. I was accepted to Berklee (College of Music in Boston) and will attend in September.”
When asked if Woolf thought he could win the competition, he said that he kept his focus week to week, and when he was almost voted off the show it was a wake up call for him. He is grateful that the judges “save” kept him on the program for another few weeks.
Woolf raved about the “American Idol” experience, saying the best part was becoming close friends with the other contestant, especially Alex Preston, Caleb Johnson and Jena Irene. He is headed to Florida for a few days, but will be back soon to prepare for the show’s finale, and is looking forward to the “Idol” tour this summer.
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