New Yorker Brenna Gethers was voted off the highly rated United States talent reality show American Idol last week. The sassy 25-year-old Gethers had built up a following among American Idol fans, and even though she has been voted off, she anticipates being brought back as a wild card.

However, if that doesn't pan out, Gethers is moving full speed ahead to make her mark in the entertainment world.
In an interview with TEENage last Friday, Gethers, who auditioned for American Idol late last year in Boston, revealed why she entered the competition: "I think Idol is a great platform for anyone. Of course, it's a singing competition. But anyone who thinks it's purely and merely a singing competition has another thing coming," said Gethers.
"There have been actresses that come out of this show; there have been so many different types of careers that came out of it. And, of course, I love to sing. It's my first love. I'm going to do that regardless. But for me, I am in 150 million homes. Why not take full advantage of it and capitalise on it?"

Gethers' rendition of disco queen Donna Summer's Last Dance proved to be the wrong song choice that got her voted off the talent competition. Asked what was going through her mind during that stage of the competition, Gethers said, "It wasn't my last chance to woo America. Maybe it was my last chance to woo American Idol fans... But I have fans and I think that's the great thing about this show, people really do root for you and stand behind you."

The Mount Vernon native, who lists Mariah Carey, Usher, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé among her musical influences, says singing has always been something that she wanted to do. She began taking vocal lessons, singing in choirs and performing at school concerts in 1987. She graduated from college in 2002, a task she describes as one of the most difficult times in her life. Her other interests include cooking, sewing, painting, martial arts and learning new languages.

Interestingly, her favourite judge is Simon Cowell. "He tells it like it is, and I liken him to cod liver oil. Hard to swallow, but good for you," said Brenna.

Asked if she learnt anything from American Idol which could help in her future career plans, Brenna said, "Yes. Be comfortable with yourself. I don't care if Simon doesn't like you, if Paula Abdul doesn't like you, if Randy Jackson doesn't like you, or America doesn't like you. Be who you are because God made you that way. And I always say if you have a problem with who I am, you can always call my father. He has a 24-hour hotline. His name is Jesus. Just call him and he'll be there."

American Idol airs on the US Fox network on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the results show airing on Thursdays. There are presently eight females and eight males remaining in the competition.

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