As FOX’s powerhouse reality singing competition, ‘American Idol,’ has been making headlines in recent months for the antics of two of its new judges, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, the current 12th season of the show is getting back to its true intention: finding the next musical superstar. As the competition moved onto its top nine performers last week, country singer Paul Jolley was the second contestant to be voted out of the top 10. After singing a rendition of The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ last Wednesday, March 20, and receiving mixed reviews from the judges, Jolley was voted off the following night, but he insists he has no regrets from the show.

Jolley generously took the time recently to participate in a press conference call to talk about his elimination from ‘American Idol.’ Among other things, the country discussed how he had a spiritual calling on the morning of his elimination and knew he was going home, but he was fine with the decision because he knows life has bigger plans for him; how Keith Urban, who has been one of Jolley’s idols since he was a child, gave him the best advice out of all the judges; and how he wouldn’t change any of the songs he chose to sing on the reality competition if he had a chance, as every musical moment had a lyrical meaning to him.

Question (Q): What do you see yourself making now? What kind of album do you see yourself making? What do you have planned coming up?

Paul Jolley (PJ): I still want to stick with the country/pop lane. I don’t want to change what I feel in my heart that my calling is and what I need to be doing.

Q: You said that you would prefer to do country and pop, and some of the judges didn’t seem to think that your voice fit well in the country genre. Did that hold you back, as far as picking songs the songs you would sing?

PJ: Not at all, because I know who I want to be and I’m not going to change that. The story that I’ve been giving people is when Elvis first started coming out, everybody was taken by storm, like what’s this going on? Once they caught on, now he’s the King of Rock n’ Roll. Everybody loves him. I feel like once everyone catches on and sees where I want to go with this career, and they hear the original material that I’m wanting to do, there will be a better understanding and people are going to love it.

Q: How did you feel coming into the competition with a country background? Did you feel you were at a disadvantage or more comfortable since Keith was there?

PJ: Not at all, it’s not really a comfort thing, it’s just being myself. Everywhere I go I just have to be myself, no matter if it’s 500 hundred people in a room or just four judges in the room. I didn’t feel like it was a disadvantage at all. It’s clear now because you can see all the different genres that we have in the competition still.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you got up on the stage before the huge audience? What were you thinking?

PJ: Before I got up there, I was just trying to make sure that my mind was clear and I was staying focused on the big picture and not getting distracted from the main thing that I was there to do.

Q: There are only three men left out of the final eight contestants who are men. Out of the remaining guys, who do you think has the best chance to win?

PJ: Honestly, I don’t know because everybody is so good, in their own individual way. Everybody has their own genre that they’re doing and it’s basically the battle of the genres rather than who the better person is.

Q: Everyone’s been proclaiming this season the year of the girls. Do you think that put the men at a disadvantage voting-wise from the very beginning, because there’s just been so much talk about how excellent the girls are?

PJ: I don’t know, maybe, maybe not. I think they’re all amazing. I wish everybody the best of luck.

Q: What advice was given to you after your elimination from the judges? Did you get a chance to speak to any of them?

PJ: Yes, a few of them came up and they just told me to just keep on keeping on, and believe in myself. They also said I pretty much have a career in this.

Q: Were you and your fellow contestants confused by the conflicting advice that you were getting throughout the competition?

PJ: I was kind of confused because every week it was something new. But I appreciated that a lot because I always want that room to grow. There’s always room to grow, so if I’m doing something wrong, then there’s something wrong with them not telling me. No, I really appreciate them telling me things that I can work on.

Q: When it comes to Nicki Minaj in particular, she was very hard on you at times. What’s your general opinion of her? Are you grateful for all the advice? Do you wish she’d been easier at times?

PJ: I’m thankful for the critiquing that she gave me. I wish it would’ve been more things that I could take and work on or learn from, but no, I still love her just the same and I appreciate everything she has. She put me through the first round as well, so I’m very thankful.

Q: Which of the judges, when they were doing the critique, did you favor? Did you respond to one of their critiques versus another, as far as their feedback helping you?

PJ: I would say Keith Urban gave me the best feedback that I could learn from and use in my career after ‘American Idol.’

Q: Throughout the beginning of the season, the judges criticized you for basically over performing songs, like being too theatrical with your facial expressions. But during your last performance, the judges had the exact opposite reaction. Randy said you seemed disconnected from the song and Mariah said you needed to give more emotion. What was that feeling like?

PJ: To be honest, I didn’t try to do anything else different. I literally just went out there and the more and more I kept doing it, it kept getting more and more comfortable and I became myself. There’s a lot going on on that stage. We have cameras we have to look for, the red dots we have to follow to make sure that we’re looking at the right camera. There are a lot of things that a lot of the viewers don’t know about that are all new to all of us; it’s all a learning experience.

Q: There’s speculation that this is the end of the white men with guitars. Do you think that’s true?

PJ: For this show, yes, but in my eyes I’ve already won.

Q: For all of those who are hoping to be on Idol next year, do you have any advice for them?

PJ: Just go for it and don’t hold back. When you walk in there just be yourself; don’t try to be something that you’re not. Just believe in yourself and have faith that you can do this. If it’s something that’s meant to be, then it will happen. If you don’t make it, maybe it’s just not the right timing. I just say keep on keeping on.

Q: You’re a passionate singer who has this natural ability to express yourself. So is acting was something you’d also like to pursue?

PJ: Sure, I want to do everything. I want to have an album. I want to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I want to have my own clothing line. I don’t know if everyone knew, but that was a custom shirt that we had made when I performed ‘Eleanor Rigby.’

I want to do acting. I would love to. I want to dabble in everything and put my Paul Jolley stamp on everything.

Q: You mentioned about wanting to be a fashion designer. When did that that dream come up for you?

JP: It’s always been in my head and it’s always something that I wanted to do. I think everyone in the industry at some point in time wants to stretch out, so why not go ahead and look at the full picture now and let people know about it?

Q: What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan in support of you?

PJ: I just want to say thank you so much. It’s a true blessing to have such loyal people that are there for me no matter what. It’s crazy how after I was kicked off how many more followers and supporters I’ve received. It’s crazy and I’m still overwhelmed with it.

Q: Jimmy Iovine says that the judges are being too easy on the contestants this season.Would you argue with that?

PJ: I don’t agree with it. I feel like they’ve been really, really easy on a lot of the other contestants. But for some reason, I feel like I was just the pointed out one to be tough on this season. I’m okay with that because I want that critique and I want to grow as an artist and I want to go somewhere with my career. I’m okay with that.

Q: How did you feel about Jimmy’s comment that you weren’t ready for primetime? What did you take away from that?

PJ: I would just have to say to each his own because I think I am ready for it or I wouldn’t be in the top ten of the competition. There’s no way I would be there. I feel he saved me for a reason, so I feel like he knows that I have the talent. I think he knows that I’m ready, or he wouldn’t have done that for me.

Q: What do you think about Jimmy? Do you think he’s good in the role he’s cast in or do you think he’d be better as a judge on a weekly basis?

PJ: I think he’s good in the role that he’s in because we get more one-on-one with him and he knows what he’s talking about. I really, highly respect his opinion.

Q: Jimmy had said that he expected Lazaro to land in the bottom three following his performance, which didn’t receive great praise from the judges. However, that didn’t happen. Do you have any thoughts on why that might be and did it surprise you that he escaped the bottom three?

PJ: Lazaro has a huge following. He has an amazing story and everyone connects to it. I give him good props for that and I wish him the best of luck.

Q: You’ve said many times that this is your calling in life. How do you see not winning as a positive for the future?

PJ: I can move on and I can start doing my own thing. I don’t have to stay glued to just doing a certain theme every week. I can still talk to my Troopers and fans and learn about what they want to hear from me.

Q: Do you think they should make the person trying to get a save go ahead and sing, because it doesn’t seem like they were paying much attention to you singing while you were doing it.

PJ: I knew I wasn’t going to be saved because Jimmy already saved me once and I knew they weren’t going to save me again. I’m glad I got to sing because it makes the last stamp of Paul Jolley. It doesn’t just say okay, Paul’s kicked off the show and then I’m done. I’d rather sing something that means something to me and then leave on a good note.

Q: When the American Idol Live 2013 tour start, and how are you going to prepare for it? Will you have vocal coaches? Will you personally seek out to take some classes, whether it’s dance, acting or vocal coaching classes?

PJ: To be honest, I don’t know. There are so many papers and stuff that tells us the dates and things of when we’re going on tour and where we’re going. I’d love to know myself, so I can prepare and get my fans all built up in the different cities we’re going to go. But everybody just needs to know that I’m going to bring it on the tour and they better get ready for a good show.

Q: While you don’t know many details yet, is there anything you’re looking forward to for the concert tour?

PJ: Of course. I get to do more than one song to the audience and have fun with it. There are no votes, there are no four judges just staring me down. I cannot wait until I just have my moment with the fans.

Q: You had said that you had some family and friends in town during the results show, but you hadn’t had a chance to speak with them right away. How did you spend the rest of your night, and how did they comfort you and what did they say to you?

JP: Well, I had to go and pack and leave my hotel and then go to another hotel. Then I had to get things ready and be up at 3:00 a.m. the next morning to get ready for interviews all day long. My mom and dad took a taxi and visited me for about 30 minutes and spent some time with me and just shared their love. That’s what I need the most, is the love from them.

Q: What was your favorite moment from the competition?

PJ: My favorite moment was the fans. I love them so much and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them. I just want to give a big thanks and shout out to them.

Q: You reportedly woke up and had a moment where you knew you were going home. Was that realization completely spiritual, or was it coming from somewhere else? Can you elaborate on that?

PJ: I have a really close connection with God. Every morning I say my morning prayer to start the day off. It’s a good start to the day because I’m so thankful for where I’m at and where I am right now in life. I’d just come to the realization, and it was just a moment I had where I knew this is the day that I’m going to be leaving the show. I’m okay with it because God, in His own way, I feel like spoke to me and said, I have bigger and better plans for you. This is just a stepping stone in life.

I was just so ready for it. Everybody throughout the day could see it in my eyes. They said they felt that in me, and that I was okay no matter what.

Q: Did they think you were crazy for thinking you were going home?

PJ: No, because I feel like the world now, they want people to be down and honest about the feelings and how they are. I think that’s going to be more than anything to the viewers and the followersm and everyone who listens and watches the show or looks into these interviews that we’re doing. They want me to be real. They don’t want me to be fake, so I’m going to tell you the truth about what I felt and what was going through my mind.

Q: What was it about ‘American Idol’ that appealed to you and convinced that was the one you were going to audition for?

PJ: I had auditioned for ‘American Idol’ a few times before and I never made it past the cattle call. I got to the point where I was like, well, maybe this TV show is just not for me and I was okay with it. Then this year I opened up for an artist named Billy Dean and. Then I was home the next week, one of the ladies that got me to do the show called me and said, ‘American Idol’ is coming here next week, but it’s not released. We want you to come and represent our town and audition. I said, I’m off work that day, it works out, so I’ll be there.

At that time, I didn’t even know Keith Urban was going to be a judge and he’s always been my idol, ever since I was a little kid. It’s funny how things just always play out in the favor of if you want something to happen and you believe enough that things will happen.

Q: Is it true that you were singing demos in Nashville before the show?

PJ: No, I wasn’t doing demo work in Nashville. I was just working on my songwriting and getting my book ready.

Q: So you have a lot of originals ready to go?

PJ: Yes, I do. I’m ready.

Q: Randy announced the judges’ decision not to use their save on you. It was not unanimous. Did you ever find out which judges voted to save you and which ones didn’t?

PJ: No, and honestly I don’t really want to know because that’s their own personal opinion. I don’t feel like they should have to let us know. Either way, I respect their decision. I still love them all the same, whoever it was.

Q: If you could go back, would you have changed anything to better your chances in the competition?

PJ: I honestly would not change a single thing that I’d done on the show. I chose my song choices for a reason. If you listen, everything that I sang had a lyrical meaning and I loved every bit of it. Everything that I spoke and the way I spoke was truthful, and I was myself. No, I wouldn’t change a thing that I’d done at all.

Q: You said the more your performed on the stage, the more comfortable you got and the more you really acted as yourself. Does that mean that all the different criticism from the judges and the different things Jimmy had to say really didn’t bother you? Did that really not get inside your head at all?

PJ: No, it didn’t get in my head at all. The only thing that’s so hard is, like I said, following the cameras and it’s a big stage. I’ve performed in front of thousands of people before and it’s never been a problem. But when you’ve just learned a song within a few days and you have to perform it, follow cameras, and then so many things you have to worry about, it can play a toll on how your performance comes across. No, I still wouldn’t change anything.

Q: Do you have any final thoughts on your experience on the show?

PJ: Thank you so much to all the fans and the Troopers out there that have supported me, and please continue to follow me because this is not the end. I have a lot of other things up my sleeve that I want to show and give and share to you all. Thank you so much.

Written by: Karen Benardello