Each week, they drop off and head towards new careers and we’re forced to say goodbye to America’s best singers. Today, we introduce you to the de-lovely Paige Miles who left the American Idol stage last week. She’s no way near leaving the stage in real life. See what her plans are, learn why she chose “Against All Odds” and how she felt about the choice thereafter.

What’s next for you Paige?
I’ll continue moving forward with my singing and make a career out of it, gendancers. I’ll possibly move out to LA.

What’s your favorite experience from Idol?
Being able to perform on a stage. It’s what I love to do, whether in jeans and a t-shirt or a pretty white dress.

The judges were a little critical last week. How much power does the audience have?
A performer has to deliver a solid performance. Tuesday wasn’t my best and they ripped it up for me. The audience don’t always back the judges.

You chose the song “Against All Odds”. It’s been used a lot. How do you feel about that?
I hadn’t realized how many times it had been done. I tried to find a slower song so I wouldn’t have to stress vocally, but I didn’t wanna do anything too up tempo. I probably should have done something more comfortable.

What did you mean when you said you got lost in the song “Against All Odds”?
Vocally, I found it tough to get my way through it. I couldn’t sink my teeth into it.

What’s the criteria for picking a song?
It’s basically what the audience will like. It’s also about knowing that the judges want it to be an original. The more original you get the better. We need to try and showcase ourselves. Sometimes we do a good job, sometimes it doesn’t work. It’s very difficult. You have to meet certain criteria. We have to choose the song ourselves and we can’t choose the same artist. It’s way more difficult than you think. There’s also no judges input. I wish America knew more about the process.

Would it be helpful if the judges selected a song for you?
There’s a cool little twist to the process of picking. It’s a really hard process, but it’s part of the show. 

Kara went nuts over your final performance. She seemed upset to see you go. What did she say to you?
They were all bummed that I left. Kara made me feel really positive when she reacted the way she did.

Simon mentioned that you were most talented female voice. What do you think?
Pretty awesome comment, I have to say. I’m so happy he said it.

Do you feel the lack of screen time hurt you?
I wasn’t able to build a fan base, but what you do on stage sets the tone. Yes and no to this question. It’s hard to know.

Did you have a song picked out for this week?
It was a toss up between “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and Can’t Stand the Rain.”

How much time did you spend with Miley?
I got to run songs with her and talk to her about everything. We met as a group and then met in separate meetings. It was so cool.

A few people are getting sick on the show. Are the Producers doing anything about it?
They’re doing as much as they can… exhaustion makes it worse.

Who do you think you are as an artist?
I know what I like to sing, but the problem finding what fit me best and work with laryngitis was hard. I like rock/pop/soul. I love to rock it out with soul and an R & B twist to it. I tried to take it slower, but it didn’t work for me. Possibility it was bad timing, but I wish I could have done more on the show. 

Did you have a a feeling you were gonna leave?
No, I didn’t think it was my time to go yet.

Are you gonna go back to teaching?
Preschool is everyday. I love working with kids, but I won’t be going back right away. I wanna try and pursue my dreams.

Did the kids you teach do a lot of voting?
It’s hard to say. There was little time to communicate. I would get emails and cards and packages they made for me. The little things made me know their inspiration was there and they supported me 100%.

You said coloring relaxes you...
Idol was high stress, so I would color to relax and focus.

Tell gendancers what you’re up to now to further your dreams and who you look up to.
I’ll continue to follow my dreams. Idol is a huge learning experience. I’ll see where it takes me. I do admire Christina Aguilera. She has a beautiful and amazing voice and she takes her time and makes artwork out of her albums. I look up to her a lot.

Do you have any advice for the next gen crew?
Yes, keep dreaming and you can do anything you want!

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