Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Believe it or not, Simon Cowell has a heart.

Lil Rounds is counting on it.

Asked during a Thursday afternoon conference call how she stays on the good side of American Idol’s crankiest judge, Lil said the key is singing songs that she can feel, that have meaning to her.

And she says that’s what she did Tuesday night, singing “Be Without You,” while thinking about her three children and husband.

“What comes from the heart reaches the heart,” Lil said. “And Simon Cowell has a heart.

“I have to go with songs I can relate to,” she said. “I don’t go with things that are, like, ‘Oh, this beat sounds cute’ or things like that. I have to go with the meaning of the song. Because if I’m able to relate to it, then you all will feel it.”

Lil says her family is her inspiration. She has three children — ages 2, 3 and 5 — back in Memphis who call her “American Idol momma,” Lil says. And a husband, who suddenly started getting recognized on the street after her audition was aired on national TV.

“I don’t let him go too far with the singing,” Lil said, laughing, “but he can really, really write, so I think we might make a good combination.”

In a competition filled with contestants with long musical resumes, Lil lacks that sort of background. She sings in church. That’s about it in terms of experience, she says. Though her grandfather did perform with B.B. King, and she grew up around music.

And how will she handle it should Simon turn on her … should his heart turn cold?

“If a day comes when he says, ‘Lil, that wasn’t too hot,’ I’ll understand. He’s going to give his opinion, regardless.”

That, we can all count on, Lil.