Apr 01, 2011
Thia Megia: 'I felt a bit devastated last night'
02:23 PM
Q: You've been performing since you were very young. What do you remember about your first performances? Is it true that when you were 4 years old, you jumped up on a table at a family party and started to sing?
A: I think I was actually 5 then. It was my first performance in front of anyone. During a birthday party, I got up on this old coffee table in my little pink gown and started singing for my family. That's when I realized my passion for singing.
Ray Valera was the first concert I'd ever been to, and it was one of my first performances. It was just, like, two Britney Spears songs.
Q: Did your elimination come as a surprise to you?
A: I didn't know what to expect at all, since are a lot of talented singers in this competition. I was feeling a mixture of emotions before getting on stage, because I wanted this so bad, but, since everyone else is so incredible, you prepare yourself for whatever happens. I didn't really know what to feel, to be honest.
I'm happy for Paul [McDonald]. I'm happy for all of us really that we're going on tour, and for all the exposure that we've gotten from the show. It's been incredible and, knowing that part of those millions of people who voted for you, it's such wicked flattery, you know?
Q: How did your schooling affect your experience?
A: I would do about three, four hours of school every day. I thought we didn't get as much practice time. But it was sort of an advantage for us. Being minors, it was an escape for us, focusing on schoolwork. It was cool to have that time to bond with the other minors, especially me and Lauren Alaina. It wasn't too bad, I guess, but we really didn't get enough rehearsal time.
Q: What was your favorite part of the competition?
A: I enjoyed every bit of the competition. That's what made it really hard to say goodbye last night. You think about every single thing you've experienced on the show. You think, 'I'm going to miss that so much.' It's really not the end, we're all going to see each other in a couple of weeks. There's the tour, which is so exciting.
I'm going to miss the vocal coaches and all they've taught us. I've grown so much as an artist, as a singer and as a person.
Q: All four of the first singers eliminated were girls. Was there ever a feeling that girls had a tougher time?
A: We figured since there are more females watching the show, the votes were going to be more for the guys. It's not only that, because the guys are incredible, but we were a bit worried about that. We were a bit intimidated by all the girls watching the show and knowing their votes are going to be going for the guys.
Q: You've performed the national anthem in big sports settings. Are there any times you get nervous?
A: I've lost count of how many performances I've done for that. I get nervous every time, for every single performance before I get up on that stage. Once I get there, I'm usually taken in by the music and the moment. I just felt the energy of the audience. I basically go from extremely nervous to show mode. My heart starts going with the music and I release it all. I'm not even nervous when I'm on stage when the music starts playing.
Q: What artists do you really want to work with?
A: My favorite music inspirations are Adele and Jason Mraz. Their lyrics are so beautiful and complex. I really admire them for that. I also enjoy older music like Billie Holiday and a bunch of old artists.
Q: Do you wish you had sung more up-beat songs?
A: For the previous weeks that I've done ballads, I do regret not choosing more up-beat songs. The last performance that I did, I do not regret at all, because I dedicated that song to my big brother. I poured all the emotion inside of me into that song. I don't regret one bit of it. I'm happy that the last song I got to do on the show as dedicated to my big brother.
For the previous weeks, I would have done more upbeat songs. I don't want to come off as just a ballad singer. Which I probably did.
Q: This must have been really tough for you?
A: I felt a bit devastated last night, but I didn't cry for more than 15 minutes. I told myself that things happen for a reason, and, from all the exposure I've gotten on the show, this is definitely not the end of the road. This is my chance to show America that I don't just sing ballads and I can do so much more. I love to sing any kind of song from any type of genre. If I can work on more music, especially during the tour, we'll be able to sing more songs that we haven't been able to on the show. I'm excited for the tour.
Q: What song do you wish you could have sung?
A: For Idol week, I couldn't decide between Michael Jackson and Adele. Smile is a beautiful song, and it's by my idol, Michael Jackson. But I wanted to sing Chasing Pavements from Adele. I would have loved to be able to sing that on the show.
Q: Are you excited about the future?
A: I am very excited about the future. I know in my heart that this is not the end of my music career. There is so much more that you're going to see of me and hear of me.
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