Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Considering what he sacrificed to be a contestant on American Idol, Michael Lynche said he had no choice: He had to do well.

The sacrifice, of course, was missing the birth of daughter Laila back on Jan. 13.

At the time she was being born, he was preparing for the group competition in Hollywood Week.

At that point, he was just one of dozens of singers still hoping for a shot at the semifinals.

The 26-year-old from St. Petersburg, Fla., wound up making it all the way to Idol’s big stage, defied the odds on April 6 by earning a judges’ save and survived five more weeks before his elimination Wednesday night.

Along the way, Big Mike became one of the most recognizable faces of season nine. Partly because of his 6-foot-1, 300-pound physique and his ability to do curls with teen colleague Aaron Kelly. Partly because he was one of the most consistent vocalists on a season a bit short on consistent vocalists.

So it was perfectly appropriate that his wife and baby joined him on stage at the end of Wednesday’s show.

“It really started out with them,” Michael said in Thursday’s exit interview with the media. “In Hollywood Week, for me, is when this experience
really got real. It wasn’t about hoping that you would do well anymore. It was (a case where) I had to do well because of the sacrifice that was made at that time.

“I don’t think you can ever say anything is worth missing the birth of your child,” he added later. “It definitely gives my family a good chance in the
future and my daughter a better chance that I did it. This is what I needed to do for the family.”

And while he’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife and daughter, he noted that his schedule isn’t likely to get less hectic anytime
soon.

First, it’s off to New York for the round of media appearances expected of departing Idol contestants. Then it’s back to L.A. to begin rehearsals for the summer tour. Then there’s the summer tour itself.

Not to mention capitalizing on the fleeting fame that comes with an appearance on America’s most-watched show.

“It’s still the time to keep sprinting and keep charging ahead so that you use this opportunity … to the best of your advantage.”

Randy Jackson pressed home that point in an exchange with Michael at the end of Wednesday’s show. After all, an example of what’s possible for a fourth-place finisher on American Idol had been on stage earlier in the evening.

“He pointed out that Chris Daughtry got number four,” Michael said of Randy. “And that I’ve got a chance to be special if I keep going. That it’s not a bad place to be, where I am.”

For that reason, one of the top priorities for the remainder of 2010 is to put together “a great album. That’s the number one plan for this year,”
Michael said.