Idol Winner David Cook Has ‘No Expectations’
May 22, 2008
After
Ryan Seacrest announced Wednesday’s
American Idol results — that
David Cook had won by 12 million votes — the show’s newest winner, a bartender from Blue Springs, Mo., fulfilled his first duty as the American Idol: facing reporters. Backstage at the Nokia Theatre in L.A., Cook talked about getting a serious apology from
Simon Cowell, beating 17-year-old
David Archuleta and what it meant to have his mom and brother join him on the stage during his winning moment.
–Jed Dreben
You won by 12 million votes but do you think it may have been more if Simon had apologized last night?
Well, Simon’s apology came a little bit late for the votes but I don’t really know that the apology was warranted. I thought what he said was an opinion and nothing more. But at no point did I feel disrespected. But, yeah, I’m appreciative of that fact that he decided to apologize. An apology from Simon is a pretty rare gem.
What do you expect from the year ahead?
I actually walked into this with no expectations and I’m walking out of it with no expectations. This show is a springboard, but it’s still a crapshoot. I could easily walk out of this arena and be just a regular Joe tomorrow. I hope that’s not the case. It’s kind of up to everybody else.
What went through you mind when you heard that you had won?
That my music teacher Mrs. Gentry made me sing in a Christmas pageant in second grade, and now I’m here. The ride has been pretty, pretty nuts. You know you couldn’t write this … or maybe you can, I don’t know maybe you guys can. But I can’t.
Did you think you were going to win?
I didn’t. You know, the respect that I have for David Archuleta is very much past a competitor thing. He has more talent at his age than I know what to do with at 25. So, to be able to share the stage with him was an honor for me. And I went into Tuesday just to have fun, and so the fact that I walk out of here as the next American Idol is not a testament to me so much as it’s a testament to the other 23 contestants we had this season, and to everybody behind the scenes.
What kind of album do you want to make?
A good one — that’s the kind of record I want to make.
How did it feel having your brother Andrew and your mom on the stage with you at the end?
It just made the whole experience full circle. In August, I stood in line in Omaha, Neb., at 5:30 a.m. when it was raining with no intention of auditioning and now I’m here and I got to share that moment with the same two people I stood in line with 7, 8 months ago, so, it was a nice bookend.
David Archuleta: End of Idol Is a ‘Big Relief’
May 22, 2008
David Archuleta may not have won
American Idol, but he’s still in disbelief that he made it as far as he did, he said after Wednesday’s results show. The 17-year-old high school student from Murray, Utah, answered reporters’ questions backstage at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre, and talked about what he learned from
Idol winner
David Cook, what’s next (”School is really important,” he says), and whether he and
Clive Davis cut a deal.
–Jed Dreben
How do you feel now that it’s over?
It’s a big relief. After last night, I was just like “Oh my gosh, no more getting judged after each performance.” Now we just get to do what we love to do without it being viewed as a competition and being judged right after singing. It’s like, “Oh, let me enjoy this for a second.”
What’s next for you?
I really want to make an album and see how that turns out and if music doesn’t go as far as I was hoping it would, then … I still want to complete an education. School is really important, especially after all this ends. It would be nice to make a living off of it but you never know. People can have a few years of performing, touring and making money that way, but then they have to go back to something else afterwards, so you always have to be prepared.
What you learned from David Cook?
Cook, he’s like my big brother. I’ve learned so much. I’ve looked up to him since the beginning of this. He’s just such a great guy — really humble, down to earth and I just feel like I can’t believe I’m standing next to him. I’m just like, “I feel honored to be standing next to you, Cook.” That’s what I told him. And I’m just so proud of him and I can’t believe that people decided for me to be next to him — of all people!
What has being on American Idol done for you?
I love singing and I love being able to perform whenever I get the chance … I just love what I do and what this competition has done for me. I really appreciate it and all the fans who have allowed me to make it this far … I can’t believe that I made it this far. I didn’t even know I would make it past the first round for Pete’s sake. It feels like such a blessing.
What did you make of the judges’ comments Tuesday?
Paula and
Randy were both appreciative in what we did and all our hard work. And
Simon, I’m glad he apologized to Cook because I don’t think anyone realizes how much work we put into this — it’s not like we just learn the song the day before.
Do you already have a deal with Clive Davis?
Well, we just met with him for a short time and it was on camera so, he just told us what song we were singing and it was nice to hear what he had to say about what he saw us as and him recognizing all the hard work we put into this. It was just really neat to be able to have a conversation with him — being as big a person in the music business as he is.
What is your favorite of your performances this year?
I really enjoyed “Imagine.” It’s one of my favorite songs and it’s one of the best songs ever written. And what it did for people meant a lot because … people still go back to that performance even after all this. They just keep going back to that and saying, “Thank you for singing that.” That song means a lot to me and for people to be able to feel that when you’re singing, it’s the coolest thing ever.
American Idol Finale: What You Didn’t See
May 22, 2008
David’s Moment
As soon as the
American Idol finale ended,
David Cook was swarmed with hugs and well wishes from his fellow
Idol contestants. The crowd in the Nokia stayed on their feet and continued to cheer for Cook, who took photographs with several members of the
Idol staff and crew. Then, as he made his way off stage through a sea of confetti, he jumped up and down, looking like a little kid jumping in a pile of leaves.
Idol Pals
Season six alumni
Melinda Doolittle and
Blake Lewis signed autographs to a gaggle of young girls just before the show began. When the audience was asked to take their seats, Lewis sat fellow season six contestant
Haley Scarnato’s lap. Throughout the show, he and Scarnato chatted up
Jerry Springer, who was there because, “Simon [Cowell] told me I had to come. So I did. It was fun!” he told PEOPLE after the show.
Fire Power
On May 6
Jason Castro stumbled on the words to
Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The next day he was eliminated from the competition. On Wednesday night’s finale, Castro and his fellow season seven finalists had the luxury of having a giant teleprompter situated in the center of the orchestra seats scroll the lyrics to every song. Castro’s heartfelt rendition of “Hallelujah” went off without a hitch. It was a calm moment for Castro, who had the you-know-what scared out of him earlier, when the pyrotechnics went off after the show’s opening number. Castro jumped as flames briefly shot up on the stage right behind him. He lost his footing in the final dance moves, but got back into place just in time before the show went to commercial.
Almost There
Ryan Seacrest made some convincing faces and gestures to make it seem as though he was reacting to
Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue, but the late night talk show host, who roasted
Simon Cowell on
Idol Gives Back, had pre-taped his segment. Still, laughter filled the Nokia Theatre thanks to Kimmel’s wacky witticisms.
Girl Power
The female
Idol contestants worked hard for the money during the
Donna Summer hits medley. The grand dame of disco didn’t rush off the stage after the show went to commercial. She took the time to hug and thank each and every one of the six women for a job well done.
Hand Picked
One young, blonde-haired girl waved furiously at
Paula Abdul during a commercial break, squealing for an autograph. Abdul caught the attention of her publicist, Jeff, and asked him to bring the young girl to the judges’ podium. He hoisted the lass up to Abdul, who then gave the youngster a big hug and an autograph.
Big Band Theory
An audition round reject,
Renaldo Lapuz, accompanied by the USC marching band, sang his heart out on the
Idol stage. Ryan Seacrest,
Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul joined Lapuz in singing “We’re Brothers Forever.” However, they had a difficult time getting
Simon Cowell out of his seat. By the time Cowell made it to the edge of the stage, the show had gone to commercial. He threw his arms up in the air in frustration, but still walked over to Lapuz to give him a hearty hug for a job well done.
Pride & Joy
During the commercial break before the
George Michael medley, David Cook and the other top six male contestants took their places on the stairs leading up to the stage. Dressed in formal attire, the men were greeted with whoops and hollers. Cook’s biggest fans, mom Beth and brother Andrew, walked over to give him a hug and a kiss. The medley, which ended with Michael’s inspiring solo of “Praying for Time,” was a hit with the crowd, especially Paula. She held her hands together under her chin and swayed to Michael’s soothing tones. As soon as the show went to commercial, Abdul sprung from her seat and made a beeline to the stage. A big George Michael fan? Absolutely, Abdul told PEOPLE after the show. “I choreographed his Faith tour,” she said proudly.
American Idol Finale: What You Didn’t See - PEOPLE TV Watch
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