Chikezie works the crowd during "Please Don't Stop the Music." Photo by Anna Altheide.
David Cook wows the crowd during "Billie Jean." Photo by Anna Altheide.
The Chaparral: I heard from Michael [Johns] that you auditioned in
Chikezie: That’s right.
TC: What’s it like to come around full-circle?
C: Oh man, it puts a lot of things into perspective to just think about people who are coming in the next few weeks to fill the shoes that I have on right now. It’s really amazing to see how far you’ve come from thousands of people down to ten. It’s mind blowing.
TC: I can’t imagine. So you kicked off the show last night in Arizona. How exciting was that?
C: I thought it was going to be more nerve wracking than it actually was. Because I was like, it’s the first show, first one up, oh my gosh, I don’t know if they’re going to love me or hate me. But they showed so much love there. It was amazing. What’s great about audiences is that, I don’t know if they know it, but they give us what we need as entertainers. They give us all the energy and all the love and you can’t help but perform to your greatest ability.
TC: What night on the tour will you have family coming in for support?
C:
TC: What do they think about all this?
C: Oh man, they’re happy, they’re really proud of me. They’re glad I’m doing well and doing what I love. That’s probably the most important part.
TC: I heard somewhere that you auditioned – how many times?
C: Four.
TC: Four times.
C: That’s right.
TC: Wow, now obviously you’re very talented, but how did you gain the confidence all of those times to go at it despite the fact that you didn’t make it as far as you did now?
C: It was really simple for me, because I just told myself that the worse that they can tell you is no. And it certainly beats making a demo and shopping it to every single place in the entire world just so you could get one person to listen to it and then say no. [Laughs]
TC: Exactly, American Idol all the way. [Laughs] What’s going on as far as recording goes? Do you have a deal yet?
C: Well, right now, I’m kind of restricted from signing because we’re still under contract with the show and they get first dibs and everything. But there’s definitely a lot of talk right now so I’m writing and getting ready for when the time comes that I’m out of the contract and I can do my own thing.
TC: Who’s somebody you’d love to collaborate with?
C: John Legend. Definitely, that would be a hot album. Also, I’d like to do something with Fantasia, actually. She’s amazing. Voice is amazing, her presence is awesome. I’d love to share a stage with her.
TC: Did you get to meet her on Idol?
C: Yes, I did. And she was really cool.
TC: What’s it like meeting these past Idols? Did she give you any advice or relay any support?
C: It’s all love, really, with the exception of a couple. [Laughs] But mostly it’s love, especially since I’d auditioned last year and I got to
TC: Have you already learned how to kill time yet on the bus?
C: Oh yeah, I have my own Nintendo DS, playing games on that. I need some more games, but I’m good right now. And I’m watching a lot of TV. Basically, that’s what you do when you’re bored, but you’re rarely bored because you’re mostly sleeping.
TC: What’s something about you that your fans wouldn’t expect or don’t know?
C: Hmm, I don’t know. I don’t know what they don’t know.
TC: You seem like an open person.
C: [Laughs] Yeah! I don’t keep much stuff to myself. But I love so many different styles of music. If given the chance I probably would have done everything at least once.
TC: Is there any message you’d like to relay to your fans?
C: It’s probably cliché, but never give up on your dreams. If it’s something you believe in and if it’s something that moves you and something you’re passionate about, don’t let anyone tell you not to or that you’ve got to stop. If it’s in your heart, then it’s in your heart.
TC: Thank you so much for your time and have a great night.
C: You, too.