Two years ago, at the tender age of 14, Allison Iraheta won a televised singing competition on the Spanish-language channel Telemundo.
No doubt, that benefitted her this year when she tried out for American Idol, the 16-year-old said in a teleconference call with the media Friday afternoon.
“Most definitely, it helped me with being on stage, being in front of cameras a little,” Allison said.
At the same time, “it’s nothing compared to this.”
The finals-bound teen also said Simon’s wrong if he really thinks she’s boring, as he indicated in comments he made after she sang Heart’s “Alone” Tuesday night.
“Honestly, I’m not,” she said. “I guess I was nervous a little.”
Heck, take her hair color, for instance.
It’s naturally black.
Now it’s a bright red.
“I wish (it was naturally red),” she said. “Then I wouldn’t have to worry about dying the roots every five weeks.”
Someday, she warned, that hair might be purple.
Take that for boring.
Among the other thoughts Allison shared with the media …
Did she ever consider waiting a couple years before auditioning?
Not really, said Allison, who’s been watching the show since its first season. “I’ve been wanting to audition since I was 9, to have my face on the TV screen, wishing I was on the show.”
Does she think she’s at a disadvantage because she’s so young?
“I don’t think it matters what the age is, if I’m the youngest or whatever. What is all comes down to is the same thing … how much we want it and how much we prepare. We’re all here for the same thing.”
How did it feel to have Paula compare her to Kelly Clarkson?
“I have to take that compliment, you know. That’s a big one, you know. It’s Kelly Clarkson. She’s amazing. I really admire her a lot.”
Did she have any reservations about singing Heart’s “Alone,” a song that’s been performed several times on Idol?
“I did think about the fact that Carrie (Underwood) did it and the past Idols, they did that song and they did it well and they’re amazing. But I really focused on my performance and how I would do the song and just give it a little taste of what I can do.”
Since she’s from Los Angeles, how does it feel to be performing in her backyard?
“It’s pretty awesome. I know some of the contestants are, like, ‘I want to go back home.’ I’m like, ‘Yea, I’m already here.”
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