Life after “American Idol” remains hectic for Jena Irene
Farmington Hills >> Since the season finale of “American Idol” May 21, Jena Irene has been traveling the country on a whirlwind publicity tour.
“The morning after the finale, they had both Caleb and me ready to start talking to press at 4:30 a.m.,” said Irene, who finished second to Caleb Johnson of Asheville, N.C. “We talked to reporters for 12 hours that day, then headed to Disney for an appearance at the “American Idol Experience.”
From Florida, Irene and Johnson headed to New York for appearances on nationally broadcast programs including “Live with Kelly & Michael,” with interviews for radio, newspapers and magazines tossed in.
“I talked to Teen Vogue and Seventeen magazine, but really enjoyed visiting Children’s Hospital in New York,” she said. “We went to say hello to the children who could not get out of their beds. It was very special.”
Irene and her mother, Julie Ascuitto, arrived back home Wednesday with just enough time for Irene to get ready and attend her North Farmington High School prom with Johnson as her date. Irene says she enjoyed seeing all her friends, and sharing the experience with Johnson, who she describes as a very good friend, but not a boyfriend. After meeting with the media, Irene says they posed for photos with her friends, but could not perform at the event. The duo remains under contract with “American Idol” production company 19 Entertainment until the “Idol” summer tour is completed in September, which means they cannot sing publicly without approval.
Back home in Farmington Hills, Irene is trying to relax and rebuild her energy for the “American Idol Tour,” which begins June 24 In Binghamton, N.Y. She says being home is wonderful, but she continually has a nagging feeling that she should be somewhere else. For months, every moment of her day was filled with song and show rehearsals, working with vocal and staging coaches, costuming, media interviews and studying her school lessons.
“I feel like I should be doing something,” Irene said. “It feels weird not having someone telling me I have something to do. I am going to a movie, and I can drive like normal. My friends and I are going to see Godzilla.”
What’s next for Irene? Once the tour is completed, she plans to attend Western Michigan University. She says she’s excited about starting college, but will take online classes to begin, because she will also be working on her first album. The album will include her “Idol” single, “We Are One,” which she performed on the program.
“I haven’t signed with the 19 Entertainment label yet, but I hope to soon,” she said. “We are looking at a couple of offers that have come in, and I hope to write songs for my album with other people.”
As the pieces fall in place for Irene’s professional career, the 17-year-old knows one thing for certain. She will walk with her class at graduation on June 8.
And, at some point, Irene plans to send thank-you notes and flowers to “Idol” judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., because she credits their advice for her success in the competition.
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