“Lucky number seven” Stefano Langone, the remaining judges’ pick, left the Idol stage last night after three weeks in the bottom three. The energetic crooner, like previously ousted Paul McDonald, says he wasn’t in the competition to win and looks at the show as a jump-start to his career.
    So what’s next for the Washington state native, 22, who promises to show his “swag” and make the most of his Idol exposure? Langone tells USA TODAY’s Lindsay Deutsch about the future, his under-the-radar televised fan interaction and why he hopes James Durbin will take the title.
    Was this your first time trying out for Idol? Why now?
    It was my first time auditioning. First it was the crash — that happened and then I had the negligent driving thing and that really put me down even more, and I realized it was time for me to change, time for me to make something of myself because I always knew, I always had these dreams. Everyone always said, “The crash changed your life,” and it did. It changed my life unbelievable and it put life into perspective, enjoying every moment and living to the fullest. As far as my career, I was still at a halt. Everything that happened has brought me to this moment.
    What are you hoping to accomplish in the weeks before the tour begins?
    It’s about creating relationships right now. This business has a lot to do with timing and who you know. I’ve built some great relationships already, and a few of the producers that I’ve worked with have already reached out.
    What was your “Idol moment” on the show?
    My wild-card performance, because it was my survival, the story of my life. I was at the bottom and I needed to fight my way to the top to get to where I needed to be, and that’s here. I was the last wild-card standing and it felt so great.
    How did you see your stage presence progress?
    I was never really coached. They gave me the constructive criticism and I had to go work on it. That was my thing. I sucked up everything everyone told me and it was about executing it because I have to. That’s why Jimmy would rag on me so much, I have what it takes and it’s a matter of getting it done.


    What’s your relationship like with Marc Anthony?
    The first time I met Marc was actually in Vegas and he came up to me and was a real fan of what I was doing and we kind of had a moment right before Christmas. The second time I met him was during the shows, I’d say “What’s up, Marc,” whatever. And then he came in for three weeks straight to do some stuff on our in-ears and to do some stuff on what he thought about our performances, and that’s when we really hit it off and created a bond. I think a little bit has to do with him seeing himself in me and where he was and what he wanted to do and the fight, and me and him have this great relationship. He treats me like a brother sometimes.
    What’s been your best moment with fans?
    My main way to get to fans is 推特. We have 推特 parties where I go on and it’s mostly girls, and I talk to them and make sure that I care about what they’re saying and how much I love their support.
    I had a couple girls on 推特 that wanted me to lick my lips or make an ear tug, and I wouldn’t do it for weeks and weeks and they would keep asking me and I did it at the one time they never expected it, and I did it real fast and I played it off well, it just looked like I had to tug on my ear for a second. But that meant everything to them.
    Are you going to date a celeb like Paul and Pia?
    The whole celebrity dating this is cool, but honestly—I know Paul and Nikki is the real deal, but I’m not sold on the whole Mark and Pia thing yet—but I’m just focused on what I’ve got to do. The girls, obviously they’re there, but I’m not going to go out and look for anything right now, but if it comes, it comes. I’m focused on getting my stuff out there, hustling, not sleeping, and working, working, working.


    Do you see acting or reality TV in your future?
    Oh yeah, anything like that. Movies, reality TV, I’m in it. Trust me, my family is crazy. I’ve got a very funny life. All my friends at home are like man, your family should be on TV. Whatever it takes and my music is going to be something very special as well.
    You’ve said your songs on Idol are only part of what you do. Will you showcase your original songs and piano skills on the tour?
    Yes, exactly. That’s why I waited. I wanted to bring it out at a time when no one expected and I could be intimate with the music. When I sit on the piano and I sing, that’s my soul and it’s a special moment for myself and people. I used to play the saxophone and the trumpet and I’m picking up guitar right now.
    Any last words?
    It’s been a great run and I’m super excited. James is going to do great — he’s being a big crybaby and I love him.
    Do you think he’s going to take it?
    I hope, but I have no idea who’s going to take it. He’s my brother. I hope the best for him. But the talent in this group is so unbelievable, you just have no idea who will win.
    Stefano also fielded questions in a Friday conference call. Here is an edited transcript:
    What were you thinking during Pia Toscano’s elimination?
    Me and Pia had a close bond and I was really pulling for her. When I came out for American Idol, it was getting that foot in the door in the music industry and taking a step forward. I knew how bad Pia wanted to be the American Idol. I almost wanted it more for her than me. It worked out for the best for her, I’m proud of her and she’s going to do work. But it was very shocking, you know? It was a very shocking moment for the whole world.


    How has music been a part of your life?
    It’s hard to really show your chops on the show. Casey got to show his musicianship. One thing I wanted to save and keep to myself was my original music and piano playing. That’s something I want to show the world and I think will be very special.
    Music has been everything. I grew up playing instruments all my life. I found out I could sing in band, ironically. I love music. I live and breath music. I write so much, and I can’t wait to get some collaborations done and really work. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from people in the industry and they have a market for me that’s wide open. I know I will be doing very well after this.
    How did your time in the bottom three prepare you for last night?
    I had been through that process so many times, I didn’t think about that at all. What I was thinking was that if I make it through I have to start thinking about next week and if I don’t, I need to be ready to sing my song and keep my composure and kill it, give it that last great performance. And that’s exactly what I did. I got to lucky number seven, and it doesn’t really reflect on who I am as a musician and a performer at all. It’s a show and that’s one thing you have to remember. Now it’s time for me to move forward and put my footprint on the industry.
    What’s your relationship with James Durbin?
    James is a little crybaby. He’s my brother. We’ve been roommates since Hollywood week. I’m going to be the best man at his wedding. I love him dearly and he loves me. Last night he was a wreck, but I was telling him to stay focused and not to worry about me. I did everything that I set off to do on this show, and it’s paid off. I told him to keep on succeeding and I’d be back in a couple of weeks. We’re brothers for life, and I love the guy dearly.


    Who is your fan base?
    I think the fan base, when I start doing my music, will just be fans of music. If you really appreciate — and it’s hard because I haven’t gotten behind the piano and done my original stuff, I did a lot of my performance standing up and getting down and whatever, but I can also perform behind a piano and really show my voice on in a different tone, that John Legend, Stevie Wonder kind of thing. And it’s cool because there’s that Bruno Mars thing that’s going on right now, but really that sound, the Justin Timberlake feel, no one’s really tapping into that game right now. That’s something I’m going to try to get into and really make a mark.
    What advice did the judges give you?
    Just to have the acknowledgment from them knowing that if I keep working like I’m working here getting better and better, getting that from them and the producers and Interscope and knowing that I have support from people in the industry who know the business is something special. I’m really close with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony and respect both of them as people and as musicians, and they have guided me so much through the experience. Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler have been great, too.
    What’s next for you?
    I am going to be: press, press, press, New York, shows, press, pretty crazy schedule until next Thursday. I’m going to be staying in LA., working and getting my stuff together here. I’m going to be busting my butt until we have the finale. I’m really happy I have this time; I have five weeks where I can network and hustle before the tour. I have a lot of stuff lined up and it’s going to be some good stuff.
    What was a disappointment about the experience?
    If you’re going to be in the industry, you can’t be ignorant. You have to understand that the it is cut-throat. Knowing that coming in, I was not surprised or taken aback at all. I’m too positive of a person to be really affected by this. Everything that has happened to me has led me to this moment. Everything after this is me busting my butt. It is what it is.


    Did you ever want to show off your piano skills?
    A lot of my decision making was based on what I want to do after this. A lot of the songs I picked weren’t necessarily for what was best for the show, but were songs showing who I am as a musician and a singer for the people I will be working with after this.
    When I get on that piano, I don’t want 20 million people to remember me singing covers on a piano. I want them to see me sing my heartfelt songs that come from the soul. When I do bring that, it will be something special. I want to save that moment for myself. There’s so much judgment and scrutiny on what we do. When I’m off this show, which I am now, I’m going to show the world what impact I can make.
    What is your music style?
    I am versatile. John Legend has worked with Kanye and Outkast and other things, so with that soul, that’s the way I’m going to go. I have the range of Stevie Wonder and the soul with the John Legend feel. Working with rappers and having that swagger to write — I wrote choruses and hooks for rappers so I have a lot of stuff in the bag that I haven’t shown yet.
    Did being a judge’s pick put you behind?
    Possibly, but at the same time, it went from 24 to 13. That’s the biggest cut so you can’t really dog yourself, so it was hard for the American public to see you. To get that opportunity was unbelievable, and I made the most of it which is why I got so far. It all worked out.
    Did you feel yourself improve during the show?
    Oh yeah. I suck in everything they say, then I listen and I execute. That’s what you have to do, you have to get better and better. I felt like I really got better and I didn’t peak or reach the point where I was going to show anything that I didn’t have. I love the advice and I take it all to heart.
    How hard was it to keep your eyes open while singing?
    It’s crazy because when I first started singing it was behind a piano and I never had to worry about keeping open my eyes behind a piano because I was grooving. My eyes are closed because I’m so into it on stage and I’m feeling every word and note, but I learn that that’s not what connects to the people. So I started getting it and working it. Now I can look in the camera and use my big eyes to get the words across and the feeling across.
    It’s just repetition, practice. I’d go to the gym and practice in front of the mirrors. You have to have a happy medium to know what you have to do when you go on stage. You have to go and execute.


最近实在没空翻译。。。
有空的话我立马补上中文版~~~
这个专访真的很给力

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