Michael Johns: 'I would be lying to say I wasn't shocked'

Michael Johns wants his fans to know he's "going to give you guys a good record by next year."

By Luz Elena Avitia, USA TODAY
Booted American Idol contestant Michael Johns chatted with reporters Friday, following his unexpected ouster Thursday night. USA TODAY listened in on the conference call.
Q: What thoughts were going on in your head while you were performing last night?

A: That's just it, I wasn't thinking, I just was feeling. I'm glad that came across. … I would be lying to say I wasn't shocked. I hadn't been in the bottom three and I thought definitely the last two to three weeks have been my strongest. But we're in this competition and stuff can happen and it did (chuckles).

Q: For inspiration week, when you saw everyone else was singing ballads, did you think singing a rock song would be an advantage?

A: I've never chosen a song based on what the competition is doing. It's like I pick songs that mean something to me, lyrically and emotionally. So to sing Dream On by Aerosmith with a 20-piece orchestra, it's amazing.

Q: No regrets on song choice this week, then?

A: Absolutely no regrets at all, mate.

Q: Which performance turned out the most like you planned?

A: It's All Wrong But It's All Right, definitely the Dolly week, turning the country song into a soul song. That's my niche. I'm just sad I'm not going to get to do any more of it.

Q: Which song were you planning to do for Mariah Carey week?

A: A really cool blues/soul version of Vision of Love. It was hot, too, so I'm a little bummed.

Q: How was it working with Dolly Parton?

A: Absolutely amazing. I got to speak to her this morning, and she was just saying what a fan of mine she was. It's just so surreal to hear Dolly Parton saying that, "I can't wait to sing a duet with you one day." That's just awesome.

Q: What did you really think about Simon Cowell's comments?

A: I respect his opinion, but he wanted me to sing that soul/blues stuff, like, every week, but you can't. I'm a rock/soul singer; I like to do both genres so I wasn't just going to necessarily pan toward what the judges said. You have to go out and say, "This is the kind of record I want to make and this is the sound I do."

Q: Ryan Seacrest gave a cruel twist last night, mentioning how last year for Idol Gives Back, they didn't vote anyone off. How do you feel about that?

A: I get the television aspect of this competition. It was tough because I thought, "OK, I'm going home," and then they said that and I'm like, "Oh, wait a second, I'm not going home, maybe they're just having good laugh," and I hadn't been in bottom three before, so I was thinking that was a possibility. But then reality set in and Ryan gave me look as if to say, "Look, I am so sorry I had to do that to you." You know, you get it; you're in this business, so you get it. I don't hold it against Ryan or anything.

Q: There have been some comparisons with Chris Daughtry and being eliminated before your time. Do you see yourself as the Daughtry of this season?

A: I've been hearing that a bunch this morning. What an honor. Chris is an amazing artist and a great guy above that. I've talked to him a few times, so to be put in that category, I have nothing but good things to say.

Q: What do Australians do to drown their sorrows?

A: (Laughs.) We're a pretty big beer-drinking country so that's probably what I'll be doing here in a bit.

Q: Have you heard from other people, like record companies or celebs?

A: Yeah, I got a reach-out from Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman saying I was their favorite and they watched every week. It's amazing how far this show reaches. It's insane.

Q: Do you think your ascots that you wore two weeks in a row had anything to do with getting the least amount of votes?

A: No, it was a fun outfit, it was time to step it up a little bit stylistically and I went for it. No regrets there.

Q: Anything you want to say to fans?

A: It's been overwhelming; I've been getting letters, flowers, gifts. Just thank you and see you on tour. I'm going to give you guys a good record by next year.

Q: After the show, what did judges say to you?

A: Paula grabs me and goes, "Look, I have no doubt in my mind that I'm going to a concert you're doing one day. You're super-talented." Randy gave me, "Dawg, I can't wait to see what you do with your career." Simon told America that they're going to miss me and I'm a good guy — hearing you're a good guy from Simon, that's really cool.

Q: Was your wife there the entire time?

A: Yeah, and if you look back at last night's footage, just before I'm about to sing, when it started to sink in, I look over to her and she mouthed, "I love you" to me. And you see me take this big breath and I clicked into performance mode and sucked it up and tried to do my best. She's really special.

Q: Did you hear the booing in the audience last night?

A: Yeah, I definitely was aware of it. It was pretty loud in there. It just gave me solace that I struck a nerve with a lot of people. It made me feel really special. It shows you no one's safe. The public can think week to week, "Oh, they did a good performance, they're coming off of a good run, I'm going to vote for someone else who maybe didn't have as good a night." You just have to vote for your favorite.

Q: Where did you get the Dolly T-shirt from (that Johns wore on elimination night during Dolly week)?

A: We were backstage getting dressed, and one of the stylists hung up this vintage Dolly Parton T-shirt on the door as a gag, so I said, "What is that? Can I wear it?" and he goes, "No it's just a gag." And I go, "Oh, no, I'm going on TV and wearing that." Just tried to lighten up a little bit. And Simon gave me a look to say, "Man, you are crazy." It was all worth it.