Last words: Fallen Idol Amanda Overmyer says goodbye

“It really is such a crap shoot being the square peg in a round hole,” explained recently eliminated “Idol” contestant Amanda Overmyer in a conference call with the media this morning. Throughout the call, Amanda seemed both utterly unsurprised by her ouster and at peace with it. “I know how different I am and I know that I target an older audience and a different audience than maybe 'American Idol' provides,” said Amanda. 

When a reporter asked Amanda about her behavior while receiving feedback from the judges, Amanda’s response was startling coming from an "Idol" contestant: “I just wanted to be respectful and listen, but the comments weren’t gonna sway me one way or the other.” Yes, Amanda actually admitted that the judges’ advice did not affect her performance one iota.  “Their comments are based on excelling within the competition,” Amanda later added, suggesting that success within the competition wasn’t what she was after.  Amanda was much more concerned with staying true to herself.

And Amanda never had to compromise her integrity as a performer ... well, almost never.  In a chat with Ryan Seacrest this morning, and again during her conference call with the media, Amanda was more than willing to bash one part of the process. “My least favorite would have been all the group numbers we had to do,” she admitted, laughing. 

So, what’s next for Amanda? Well, for one, she’s engaged.  When asked if her fiancé was her “rock” during her time on "Idol," the ever self-sufficient Amanda mused, “I think I was more his rock ... cause he was home alone.”  So, would any of Amanda's fellow Idols be getting an invite to her wedding? “I’d surely invite at least a couple of ‘em,” Amanda said. “I’m kinda standoffish,” she acknowledged, “but in any situation where a group of people go through something like this, there’s an element of camaraderie.”

And although much of America was shocked to see her go, Amanda wasn’t surprised, explaining that when she landed in the bottom three, she knew “that more than likely I would be done.” Before the ax fell, Amanda stood beside her petrified fellow contestant, Kristy Lee Cook, and dispensed some beautifully unsentimental advice. “I told her to chill out and stop worrying,” Amanda said with a chuckle. Now, this one, we’re going to miss.

-- Stephanie Lysaght
(photo courtesy of Fox)

Comments

[Alan]

I love Amanda's personality -- in that sense I will be very sorry to see her go -- but really, listening to her sing her song (whatever it was, it always sounded the same) was the most painful thing I've ever witnessed on American Idol. I literally had to mute her. She just grated on my nerves. In short, exceptionally nice person. But a horrible, horrible voice, and no expressive ability. Just cranking out songs night after night, that all sounded alike and all sounded bad.

[Diamond]

Great! Let's have all of them look and sing alike. It would have behooved American Idol fans to have kept Amanda, for her unique style. Her last song choice my have been forgetable but she wont be.
Amanda if you're reading these comments; how about joinning us at Myrtle Beach, S.C. for Bike week in May............

[ExSinger]

Amanda never fit in to the mold at AI. Too bad she wasn't as good a singer as Chris Daughtry, who also didn't fit in. She turned every song she got into a messy bar-band blues romp, which was fun the first couple of times, then it got boring. Her stage presence was also pretty weak, and her look didn't fit in. She and Gina Glocksen were spun from the same fabric to some extent.

She'll do fine, as long as she takes the craft of singing seriously. Janis Joplin was absolutely amazing, but she could go from tender to maniacal in a heartbeat, and she was authentic blues. Amanda is warmed-over Janis. She could do well to look up Blue By Nature and check out Karen Johnson. That woman could sing anything from Janis to James Brown; she even had Ann Wilson and Stevie Nicks at her shows going, "We're not worthy!"

[Desert Dreamer]

Personally I liked Amanda. She was different and every contest needs that. I did not think she would win, but I really thought she would go farther than she did. Too bad. I just don't think people got her but hey to get to #11 is darn good. Keep your chin up Amanda you are great in my book. Best of luck to you.

[rascal]

I'm glad she's gone. Janis J. she's not. Go see Janis Janus. She would probably do okay in a dance bar where people are drinking. Don't quit your day job.

[Chicago48]

The thing about Amanda was the look, the sass, the attitude. She doesn't need show business, she has a lucrative career and a college degree. I think her head is on tight and her head is not in the clouds. She has no elusions about it all. She took a risk trying to tap into show business and someone will see the potential and give her the breaks she needs. They're casting the Janis Joplin story, and maybe she can audition?

I liked her performance, her look stood out and was not pop princessly like so many other Idol women who wear the designer gowns, get their hair done by Vidal Sassoon, you know what I mean? They go buy their clothes to make Paula say "you look lovely tonight". But Amanda stood out. Whether you liked her voice or not, she stood out.

[Margi Mattfeld]

I loved Amanda, her looks and great spirit, she was unique to the show. Sorry to see her go. I voted for her many times, wished she had been in the Top Ten. Rock on, Amanda, and show them your stuff - sell some tickets and then let Simon know!

[YVES PIETRANTONIO]

I LOVE YOU AMANDA,the peapole who watch american idole do not know how to apreciate you,there all into the Celine DION WANABEES.I am from MONTREAL,CANADA,And i hope you get your singing career going because the music world needs you.There has not been some one like you for atleast 20 to 30 years.I hope i could get to buy your cd and see you live in concert,absolutly my best female contestant on american idole of all time.THANK YOU AMANDA ,LOVE YOU.

[bill]

that show is so painful to watch. none of the contestants have a unique individual style of their own. every one of them parrots other sucessful singers. but what do i know...i thought that Michael Bolton was the white Ray Charles!

[Jolat]

If I may quote Simon Cowell from a couple years ago:

"There's a fine line between being a pop star and singing in a hotel. I think you'll be doing the latter."