Aliana Jester performs during the Top 20 show on American Idol Season 18. (ABC Photo)
Aliana Jester was eliminated from American Idol when semifinalists were announced last week.
But by that time, the young woman from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., had impressed the American Idol judges repeatedly and been compared to “a young Whitney Houston” by Lionel Richie.
That followed her audition performance of Michael Jackson’s “Who’s Loving You.” Her final Idol performance wound up being a cover of Whitney’s “Run to You,” recorded in her home for the Top 20 show.
Here’s what Ariana, 18 when she auditioned, told Idol Chatter about her time on the show.
Idol Chatter: What do you consider your biggest takeaway / lesson learned from the American idol experience?
Aliana: My biggest lesson I took was that connecting to the songs and leaning into it has just as big of an effect as being a good singer! I plan to take that with me as I continue to pursue my music career.
Idol Chatter: Which was your favorite American Idol performance and why?
Aliana: My favorite performance was a combination of the genre round and the Hawaii performance (“This is Me”) because I connected to both of the songs. Both songs meant a lot to me and the crowd and judges response to it just made me super happy! It reminded me why I wanted to do this so much!
Idol Chatter: What was the experience like, performing for American Idol — and fans around the country — from your own home?
Aliana: For me, it was probably the same as I normally would when I record a cover and sing from my living room. The only difference was that instead of a few hundred people watching, it was MILLIONS of people watching.
Idol Chatter: Obviously lots of plans are in limbo because of the pandemic, but what are your post-Idol plans musically? Where are you hoping this opportunity leads?
Aliana: I am currently in the process of moving back to Tampa. So when I do, I plan to go to college and study music and to learn different techniques all the while hoping to book shows and continue to perform for the fans I already have as of now, I’ve been recording from home and even making personalized CAMEOS for my fans.
Idol Chatter: Do you plan to release music anytime soon? If so, what can you say about the sound, the timing, etc.?
Aliana: I personally can’t produce music as of right now but it is a goal of mine to do by the end of the year or for sure by next year.
Idol Chatter: Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add about the Idol experience?
Aliana: American Idol was definitely fun, but it’s also a lot of work. I want to encourage anyone out there that is nervous about auditioning to audition because, like Demi said, no matter what happens “for every no is someone else’s yes!”
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May 18, 2024 -
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