Brandon Rogers On Being Voted Off 'Idol': 'I Knew What Was Coming'
He'd already toured the world as a backup singer for Christina Aguilera, Usher and Justin Timberlake. But evidently that wasn't sufficient training for 29-year-old Brandon Rogers when it came time for him to sing, front and center, on the "American Idol" stage -- which was much bigger Tuesday night in honor of the top 12 contestants. The singer from North Hollywood, California, was the first finalist to forget his lyrics -- and that, essentially, was that (see [article id="1554661"]" 'Idol' Voters Eliminate Forgetful Brandon Rogers"[/article]). In the end, even Rogers wasn't surprised that he was eliminated.
MTV: What was in your mind before you heard you'd been voted off of the show?
Brandon Rogers: I absolutely knew what was coming. I did. I really felt at peace with the decision. I think you get a feeling when it's about time for you to go. I messed up my words and I hadn't created enough momentum, musically, to sustain a mistake like that.
MTV: Why do you think you forgot the lyrics to a hit like the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love"?
Rogers: It's actually kind of funny, because I wish I could chalk it up to nerves or the pressure of going first, as a lot of people speculated. But honestly, it was me having too good of a time. I went out there, had a great time, did my little dance, my little hip-shimmy and the crowd screamed. That was the loudest the crowd has been the whole time in the competition [that I was onstage] and I was like, "Whoa! This is awesome! What the heck are my words?" I completely lost the line. My mind went blank. I reverted to a different version of the song and just sort of paused and waited for my opportunity to jump back in and do as best as I could.
MTV: What was it like being mentored by Diana Ross, and in what ways was she helpful?
Rogers: It was fantastic and she's an absolute sweetheart, but incredibly intimidating. Being in the presence of [Diana Ross] made me so nervous. She basically told me [how to handle] those nerves. She said her father told her when she was little that nerves are the same as excitement. She told me to find my center and really concentrate on really finding my peace in performance and making sure the nerves don't get ahold of me at the wrong time.
MTV: What were the advantages and disadvantages of coming into this competition having worked as a background singer?
Rogers: The pros are that I come in with a story that can be interesting for people to tell, which [makes it] interesting for people to want to root for me as well. On the con side, I have all these expectations [from others] of what I'm going to sound like before I open my mouth. Being judged before you're judged is the bad part, the downside. [There's also] the perception that ... I have an unfair advantage. It's just not true. Nobody has an unfair advantage over anyone. We're all just playing the game and trying to get to where we want to get, the best way we know how.
MTV: Would you categorize "American Idol" as a singing competition or a popularity contest?
Rogers: I don't know if it's a singing contest or a popularity contest or which one is more valid -- but the fact of the matter is, it is a contest. By whatever means people decide to vote -- whether it's [based] on your voice, your looks or whether [the audience likes] you as a person -- it has no bearing on the validity of the winner. It is what it is, and we all knew this going into it. You just try to do your best on the show and hope that it works out for you and hope that you can pick up some fans along the way that keep you going. I got all the way to the top 12. I'm pretty elated just to be there.
MTV: What would have been your swan song?
Rogers: It would have been "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway. When I do my live show, as I've done in the past, I sit down and play that song on the piano and it always goes over well and it always feels good singing it. It's just got a good sentiment to it -- a beautiful melody and I would've loved to knock that out of the park if I could.
MTV: What's next for you?
Rogers: Hopefully, my slow but sure takeover of the world! [He laughs.] No -- I honestly feel like the sky's the limit for what is coming. This show can be such a good vehicle. I'm so proud to be in the top 12 and I'm hoping I can use it to help kick-start my career in music, which is what I've always wanted to do. Of course, I'm always open to other things such as acting and the like, but hopefully I'll get my hands on any opportunity that comes my way and I'll make the best of it.
