By Jamie Ruby

Last week contestant Kristen O'Connor, who recently made the Top 13 of season 13, was voted off of American Idol. She recently sat down with the media to discuss her time on Idol and her future moving forward.

FOX Conference Call
American Idol
Kristen O’Connor

February 28, 2014
1:00 p.m. ET

SCIFI VISION: Out of everything you’ve been told by the judges and everyone on Idol since you started, what’s been the most important piece of advice you’ll take with you?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I think something Jennifer Lopez said to me last night and just something I gathered throughout the whole competition was just that it’s so important to be yourself and to stick to what you know and to be authentic because that’s when you really shine. Throughout this whole process, I’ve learned that my best performances and my best interviews and everything have just been when I’ve been the most myself as I’ve ever been. Yeah, that’s really something I’m taking from it, and I’ve learned from this whole thing.

SCIFI VISION: Do you have a specific type of album you’re planning on making, or a kind of music that you want to focus on?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Yeah, it’ll definitely be an original sound for me, but I see myself as an R&B pop, soulful singer. I love really soulful, sultry music, but definitely with the popular side to it too.

QUESTION: Kristen, I have a question about the in-ear monitor thing when you were performing. Did you take the in-ear monitor out after you had heard Harry originally tell Dexter that that was making people sing out of tune? Did that influence your decision on stage?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: No. I didn’t even know that he had said that to Dexter. I was backstage in my own world. No, what happened to me was while I was singing—all my rehearsals everything was great, and then while I was singing up there, there was a click-track over what was playing through the monitor, like a metronome. So it was clicking, and it was offbeat. I think it might have been for someone else’s song or something like that because it was offbeat. It was really loud, louder than all of the instrumentals, and it was louder than my vocal, and it was extremely distracting. So I had to take it out just to get to the song. But I think I pushed through it, and I think the performance showed that.

QUESTION: I’ve seen videos of you singing on YouTube before. There was one of you in a garage, and it is absolutely unbelievable. I wish people had seen that one, especially the way you are just singing through your diaphragm and everything, and it was pretty beautiful. You think that maybe looking back you might have done something other than a Kelly Clarkson song? Kelly Clarkson songs always seem to be different for anybody on the shows.

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: My decision to sing that song— I had taken advice from production and people on the show, although I did come to agree with them that it was a good choice. When I sang the song for my vocal coaches and for Randy Jackson and for the executive producers, they all told me it was a great choice and so I felt confident with it and I don’t regret doing it. I’m happy with the way it turned out. I just wish that I had gotten the chance to show America a little bit more with my guitar because that’s more who I am and also some more upbeat stuff too because I think America only saw one side of me, which is unfortunate.

QUESTION: You’re learning about yourself, you’re going through this journey in front of the whole entire country and other countries, and I want to know what are some strengths and weaknesses that you discovered about yourself along this process as an artist?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: One of my weaknesses that I have picked up on is that I’m definitely my biggest critic for sure. Sometimes the judges would praise me and then they would say one little thing that would be negative, and that would be the thing that I would latch onto. And just getting in my head and thinking— I would think a lot about things, and I guess focusing on negatives a little bit too much, I think, is definitely one of my weaknesses because I’m definitely a perfectionist.

I want everything to be perfect. But yeah, I guess that that would be something I need to work on is just being proud because not everything will be perfect. Yeah, so I would say that that’s one thing that I really need to work on. But one of my strengths, I think, and what I kept hearing from everyone throughout the competition was that I had a really strong voice. Chris Daughtry said I was his favorite of the day, the day I sing for him. He said my voice gave him chills. He told me my voice was sick.

Randy Jackson, when I sang “Beautiful Disaster” for him he was like, “Wow. I didn’t know you could sing like that, your vocals are wild.” Ricky Minor said things about it. Harry, even last night or even the other night when I sang he was like, “You are a really good vocalist.” I guess my voice, I’ve gotten a lot of really awesome compliments on just my vocals, so that’s definitely, I think, one of my strengths.

QUESTION: I know that you grew up singing in the church. You grew up singing in school. You think all those years really prepared you for American Idol, or do you think you can’t be prepared for American Idol, it’s something that you really get in there and just roll with the punches as you go?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: No, it definitely prepared me for sure. I learned everything I know about music from being in church and from working with Ms. Harvey and from working in high school. I was also a music major when I started college, too, for the first year. I’ve had so much training, and all of that has helped develop who I am as an artist. As far as being prepared for the competition, that’s not really something that you can prepare. Competing and stuff like that, that’s a completely different side. But as far as the music aspect of it, yeah, I feel like it definitely helped prepare me for sure.

QUESTION: So you had gotten mixed reviews from the judges for your performance of “Beautiful Disaster,” probably more positive than negative. But the judges said they didn’t think the bottom three deserved to be there, so were you surprised to be eliminated, or did you have a feeling it might be happening?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: No, I did have a feeling it might happen because I was a wild card the week before, and I really felt that if I didn’t have a really strong performance that when I sang “Beautiful Disaster” that there was a chance that I would be going home because I was the wildcard. America had voted me in, and so I felt like I really needed to win them over, and although I think I had a good performance, I didn’t think that it was the one that was going to win over America.

So when they did call my name, I wasn’t shocked. I wasn’t surprised. But of course I was disappointed because I know that I really do have what it takes, and I think the production and everyone there, I think that they were disappointed too because I think—even the judges. I know that they definitely recognized my talent, and it’s just unfortunate that I didn’t get to show America everything that I have to offer, but I’m really proud of everything that I did show and I just hope that they’ll continue to watch my journey and my career as it unfolds.

QUESTION: Since you were the judges’ wildcard pick, did you think the judges would go out on a limb for you again and use their save since they clearly wanted you in the competition? And also, did you ever find out if any of the judges did vote yes on the save to keep you in the competition? And if not, did you ever get an explanation of why not?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: No, I didn’t. Honestly, I didn’t expect them to use the save no matter who it was that night because it’s the first night and the first opportunity for them to use the save, and I don’t think it’s ever happened where they used it that early in the competition. And because they had already taken a chance on me once and America hadn’t come through and voted for me I did not expect them to use the save on me, and they have a whole season ahead of them.

The judges didn’t really give me an explanation but I’m just putting myself in their shoes. I don’t blame them just because they have a whole season left and I think once it gets up to those really top numbers I think the save will be more useful. But the judges did all come up to me after the show and had some really nice, encouraging words for me and I can tell that they definitely believe in me.

QUESTION: In the moment there while you and Malaya were waiting for the final word, were you talking to each other? It looked like you were hanging onto each other pretty tight. Were you talking to each other?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Actually before the show even started Malaya and I were talking—like before the show—and we had discussed that we thought it was going to be the two of us standing there. Actually, both of us had struggled with the song choices that we chose. We both took advice from production. And like I said earlier, one of the things I’ve really learned from all of this is it is so important to really stick true to who you are, and I think that every time someone strays from that is when they get the brunt— they get not their best performance.

Yeah, so I think both of us struggled with that, so we weren’t surprised to be standing there. So when we were, we were just holding onto each other saying, “You know what? No matter what happens, we’re going to stay friends.” She’s an awesome girl. Yeah, I don’t think we were really talking too much. We were standing there. We were just like, okay, let’s see, just hoping for the best.

QUESTION: It’s really great advice that you’re offering to the other contestants about being true to yourself, but I don’t think there is really a way to prepare for that moment and to keep your composure. You did a great job. Are you just able to read what’s going on? Were contestants able to just sense that it could be me?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I definitely was able to, and so was Malaya. The two of us that were standing up there, we definitely knew that it was going to be us standing there, or at least we felt that there was a good chance. But MK—I think it was a shock to her, and it was a shock to me for her to be in the bottom three.

But I definitely think it’s unpredictable at this point because America— I think it can change week to week, and people who are safe might— I think it can be shocking. Before anyone senses that it could be happening to them—for me it was important for me to go out with my head held high and on a good note. I wanted to have a good performance for my final performance in front of America, so I just wanted to really kill it and just leave in a way that I can be proud of.

QUESTION: What was it like to watch a replay of the show last night?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Actually, I haven’t seen the show. I’ve just seen little clips here and there from interviews I’ve had today. I haven’t got a chance to watch the whole show yet, but from what I have seen it’s emotional. But I think when I watch it back I'm going to be proud. That’s the way I feel about, it at least now.

QUESTION: If you were to guess, who’s going to be the final two left standing, knowing the contestants the way you do?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I really have no idea. I really don’t know. I think everyone is so talented. I was hoping it was going to be me because I definitely think that I have what it takes, and I think the producers and my vocal coaches and Randy I definitely think that they thought so, too. It’s unfortunate, but everyone who’s left is extremely talented and they’re all exceptional artists and they’re all so different. So I don’t know. I think no matter who it is it’s going to be a good one.

QUESTION: How do you balance your American Idol journey with your relationship with your boyfriend?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Well, he and I have been together for a while now and he’s really, really, really supportive and he has never once made me feel like he was holding me back from following my dreams. I think that that’s why it works out so well, because he knows what it takes and he understands how important this is to me and so he’s never, ever made me feel like I couldn’t do something or like he was going to hold me back from talking to people.

I know that some other people have been dealing with that because it can definitely be strenuous on relationships, but for me, he is so understanding and so supportive and he doesn’t make me feel like I can talk to someone. He gets it, and so that’s really important. And also, we’ve been this way for a little while. He is in pharmacy school and I had just finished nursing school in Orlando, so we were a couple hours apart. Yeah, we’re kind of used to it and I think the trust is there. Yeah, it wasn’t—not too hard on us. It was okay.

QUESTION: Can you tell us a little bit about your friendships with the other contestants? Was there someone you were particularly close to?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Honestly, I got so close to everyone really, like really. Emily and I got pretty close because she was from Orlando so all our plane rides out to and from L.A. we rode together every time and yeah, we were close that way. Then my roommate was Jessica Meuse, and so she and I got close. I got close to Sam because he was my group member in Hollywood Week, and he’s awesome. Majesty— I mean, they’re all great. Malaya, everyone. MK and I got pretty close, everyone— Alex, all of them, honestly, everyone. I feel a really close connection with and I know all of us are going to keep in touch without a doubt.

QUESTION: What’s your message to your fans immediately? How can they keep track of you, what’s immediately next on your radar musically?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Yeah, please, please follow me on Twitter. It’s @imkristeno on Twitter and Instagram, both of those. And then also I have my new Facebook account that’s verified as well, my fan page, that they can like and follow on there. I’ll be posting there frequently. For me next, I’m keeping my options open. I really want to continue to pursue music and I’m definitely going to pursue music, and I want to make an album.

I’m excited to get in a studio and start writing and to get it out there and to show them what’s next, and also I’m interested in anything that this can bring for me. If it opens the door to musicals or Broadway or acting, anything like that, I’m definitely interested and going to just see where it takes me. I’m excited.

QUESTION: What about on a personal level? Do you have any opportunity to relax after this huge emotional journey? Are you going on vacation, taking some family time? How about that?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I haven’t even thought that far yet. It’s been a crazy, busy time, but I’m sure at least a few days home will be nice after all of this. So that’ll definitely happen I’m sure.

QUESTION: I saw that you guys got pretty close. We saw that you guys all went out to eat, and they were talking about how you guys had grown super close and you don’t want to see anyone leave, so how hard was it for you to have to leave everyone and leave American Idol?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Yeah, honestly last night when I went back to where we were staying I was just thinking, “Gosh. Even if I’m not on the show I wish I could just stay and be here with these people and experience the rest of this with them because I’ve gotten so close with them.” Now being outside the competition, I’m really rooting for them, for everyone, because they are so talented. I remember one night on one of our off nights everybody was just playing guitar, and I remember just taking it all in and being like, “Oh, my gosh. These are some of the most talented people in the country and I’m just so blessed to be a part of it and to experience it.”

More than one person usually from every season is extremely successful, and I know that I know them personally, and no matter what happens for each of us everyone is so talented and I’m just so blessed to get to know them. I’m just really excited to see how it’s all going to play out. But yeah, it was really hard for me to leave them because they really, truly, honestly feel like family to me.

QUESTION: I just wanted to ask you about the Idol boot camp and working with past alums Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert. I was wondering if you felt like they had a perspective that you couldn’t have gotten anywhere else and if that was helpful to talk to people who had been through the process?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Oh my gosh, yes. Absolutely. I think that that was so beneficial not only—I learned so much. I don’t even know what aired. I haven’t got to see a lot of the episodes, but I had a really long interview with Adam Lambert and it was just a relaxed interview. I asked him about how you deal with things people say about you on the Internet because I know he dealt with that and he was like, “Oh, girl. You know I did.”

There was a lot of controversy about him when he was on the show and he was like, “Kristen, you just can’t read that stuff. People are going to say things. They do it to everyone.” He was like, “It’s hard.” Up to this point, none of us have ever experienced—or most of us have never really experienced—anything like that. So he was like, “You can’t read it.”

That advice is definitely helpful for me going through this, and he helped me with song choices. Just giving me the way that he approached choosing songs and if I had gone forward it was definitely advice I was going to take. And then Chris Daughtry—also, I don’t think it aired, he played us a song, an acoustic song, just us. We had a little jam session. It was awesome. I had chills. It was amazing.

Oh, my gosh. I think I had the highlight of my life when I got to sing for him because he loved it and he was really excited about it. His advice for me— Honestly, after I sang, him and the staging director were like, “Oh, my gosh, we don’t even need to help you. You just killed it.” I’m sad that America didn’t see it because everyone behind the scenes I felt like really did. So it’s such a bummer, but he had some really good advice for me. It was like staging and movement I was working on while I sang for him, and he was like— what did he tell me?

He was just telling me how to take the microphone off the stand, a better way to do that more fluidly because at one point that was what I was going to do when I sang my song. Honestly, I feel like I learned so much from them and just to hear the way they approach— Also, he gave advice. He was like, “Do not be that guy who’s like—if it’s not your personality to hold up your number like oh number three whenever they”—you know, telling them to vote. He’s like, “Don’t do it. You’re going to regret it. If it’s not you, don’t do it.” So yeah, it’s awesome to hear things from him, and he talked about his first audition and going back and watching it, and he’s like, “Simon gave me so much crap when I sang,” and then I didn’t understand it, and then he’s like when now when I go back and watch it the only thing that was good about this is the way I sounded if you close your eyes, but everything about it was good.

He’s just talking about what he had learned from his experience and from going back, and now I can relate so much because I go back and I’m like yeah I could’ve done—and there are so many things. I just learned so much and I’m so grateful for the experience and I just hope America will continue to follow me in to see how much I’ve grown into see what happens.

QUESTION: Throughout the whole season what would you say was your favorite moment of all? Was it when you first found out that you were advancing, or what was the best moment?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I think it was after I sang “Turning Tables” during rush week last week. The judges gave me some phenomenal comments. I think I had some of the best of the night. It felt amazing. Jennifer Lopez told me, “I could see you recording records tomorrow.” Keith commented on my range and honestly, the moment that’s going to stick with me is when I was sang that song and just the energy and the crowd. They went nuts, and just that feeling of singing in front of people that love you. It was an incredible feeling, and that feeling is something that— That’s what I live for, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

QUESTION: Also, you mentioned being a music major when you started college. What was that experience like, and why didn’t you continue with it?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Well, it was a great experience. I was on a music scholarship and everything. The reason I decided to change my major is because I’m very self-sufficient. I’ve worked hard for everything I have, and I don’t come from a lot of money or anything like that. So I had to pay my way through school myself. I worked all through school, and so for me I knew that I had to get a degree in something that I was going to be able to pay for when I graduated because college was a lot of money, and I had to pay for myself, and with a music degree a lot of times it’s hard.

This industry is tough, and as far as security I felt I had to do that, and also with nursing, nurses work three days of the week— three twelve-hour shifts—but during college I was in school all day long and then working all night and then studying all night. I mean, for me working three twelve-hour shifts a week and then having four days to do music is less stressful than what I had been going through when I was in college.

So that was always the plan, to graduate and then to continue to pursue music while working as a nurse to pay the bills, and nursing is also something that I feel—and I honestly it sounds cliché, but I really do, I feel like I’m doing something important, and it’s something I can feel good about doing. I enjoyed it.

I enjoy helping people so yeah, I decided to do that because I just felt that I would be a good backup, I guess. A good backup and something I’d be proud of doing if for some reason music doesn’t work out, but there was never a question in my mind that music is what I want to do, it’s one I’m going to continue to do absolutely.

QUESTION: You were roommates with Jess Meuse. I think America was shown not a great side of her in Hollywood week. What can you tell us about Jess?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: Yeah, we were all kind of surprised by the way that that was all shown. She was my roommate. She is so sweet. Definitely I think that they were giving her that hard look kind of thing. I don’t know. I think Hollywood Week is no joke. Hollywood Week is extremely stressful and some people got dealt a bad hand, and she was one of those people and she just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time quite a few times for her. She’s definitely not about the drama. Honestly, she’s a sweetheart and she’s a great roommate, and she’s a true musician. Yeah, she’s a nice girl.

QUESTION: You said something about wanting to maybe do Broadway or acting. Did you ever do American Idol Experience in Orlando being so close to that?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I never did. I had been to that park only just when the attraction was open, but yeah, now I never had the chance to do it, but yeah it was always something I would have done had I gotten the chance because it seemed like a lot of fun. And I know a couple of the girls that are in the top 12 now, they did do that, and that’s how they got their golden tickets.

QUESTION: Really? Who was that?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I’m pretty sure Majesty and Emily.

MODERATOR: Thank you, everyone. At this point, we’re going to wrap up the conference call for today. Thank you for joining us. As a reminder, American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX, and photos can be found on FoxFlash.com. At this point, I’m going to turn it back over to Kristen for a final remark. Kristen?

KRISTEN O’CONNOR: I just want to say thank you all so much for taking the time to talk with me today. To all my fans and to everyone please continue to follow me on Twitter. It’s @imkristeno and also Instagram, same thing, and then on my new official Facebook fan site. Definitely this isn’t the end, and also I have a YouTube page. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to post to that, but I have YouTube videos up. You can watch me singing some songs and hopefully I’ll be able to post some new videos, and I’m definitely going to continue to write, so please stay tuned. I have so much more to share with you guys and I can’t wait. I can’t wait to do that and to show you who I really am as an artist and as a person. Thank you all for your time.