Idol's Hollie can't make you love her

Photo: Contributed - Fox/American Idol

Idol finalist Hollie Cavanagh

After a few weeks of surprising American Idol eliminations, last night’s eviction of Hollie Cavanagh was no shocker. Even Hollie herself had been expecting this for a few weeks already, and those feelings of impending doom only intensified over the last two Thursdays.

"I was shocked when they said Skylar's name because she'd been killing it every week," Hollie explained –referring to last week – in a media conference call this morning.

That hunch was even stronger yesterday. "It felt different than any other Thursday," she says.

Last week I mentioned that Skylar’s exit was probably best for American Idol going forward, as her style of country isn’t suited for the mainstream.

Hollie, on the other hand, would have been the ideal winner: she’s pretty, she’s very likable, she’s marketable, and has a wide mainstream appeal. She may not possess the vocal prowess of Joshua or Jessica, but here is a girl that has more of the “X-factor” that former Idol judge Simon Cowell is always talking about.

During this morning’s abbreviated media conference call, Hollie appeared rather fatigued (who can blame her?), and wasn’t as talkative as the previous Idol castoffs. Her answers weren’t terribly lengthy, so I’ve chosen only a few highlights from the call.

I wondered what her favoruite moments were during her Idol journey. “Probably when I sang (Adele's) Rolling in the Deep and (Dusty Springfield's) Son of a Preacher Man. Also (Miley Cyrus') The Climb because it was my first standing ovation on the show," she said.

Hardest week:
Billy Joel Week was not a great one for me. It wasn't really my style. I had two different songs and I wound up with Honesty, which I'd never heard.

Jimmy’s critique:
As far as what Jimmy (Iovine) said, I did understand the meaning (of Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me). It didn't come off the way he wanted it to. There are some parts I could have done more with.

Odds of a girl winning this year:
It is tougher for girls because the young girls' votes go to the boys … but you never know." Can Jessica Sanchez pull it off? "Of course. She's amazing.

Her take on the final 3:
Phillip (Phillips) is very unique the way he performs. Josh (Ledet) takes you to a whole 'other place when he sings and, of course, Jessica is only 16 and the way she sings, she sounds like she's in her 20s. This finale is going to be a big one.

Favourite judge:
I've always felt loyal to Jennifer because she's always believed in me. She's been a big inspiration for me this year.

Her lack of airtime early on:
At the beginning, my friends were like, 'Are you sure you're on the show?'"

What kind of album she’d make: 
Kind of on the pop side with a little bit of soul. Like what's at the top of the charts right now

Her view on the old school music selection:
We did wish we could sing songs that are on the radio now. It would be nice to have a mixture of both, but I think they did well with that this year.

What she’s looking forward to on the ‘Idol tour: 
Not being judged and just singing for our fans.