Throughout season 9 of American Idol we wondered why the judges' seemed extra harsh on curly-haired cutie Katelyn Epperly, but after sitting in on a conference call with the latest eliminated Idol contestant, we think we have an answer: a wee bit of an attitude. Though Katelyn seemed all innocence and rose petals on the show, during her exit interview she was barely able to contain her distaste for American Idol and  mainstream pop music and its audience.

If you thought Lilly Scott was angry or disdainful of American Idol during her interview, just wait till you read what Katelyn Epperly had to say.




The judges' were very critical of you, do you think they were too hard on you?

"They definitely were more critical towards me. I'm not sure if it's because I've been performing for so long they maybe expected more out of me than what I was giving them. I started out on a pretty strong note, maybe I didn't live up to their expectations week by week."

What was the highlight of your time on Idol?

"Playing 'The Scientist' on that white piano. I'm most definitely in my element when I'm sitting behind the keys without a band, just super raw. I definitely had my own personal moment."

Did the judges' criticism of "The Scientist" cause you to stray from your element last week?

"It totally did. I was definitely trying to find a song that would portray me as an artist. It's difficult for singers in this competition. First of all, I don't listen to mainstream music, and I don't typically perform covers. I tried to scramble around last minute, I brought out the Wurlitzer keyboard, I wanted to do something edgier. I t didn't work out for me but I definitely don't regret doing it, because I love that era and I love the song."

Are you glad American Idol has embraced musicians, singer-songwriters and people who play instruments?

"I think that's very important. What made me so much more OK with being on the show, because I did have some pride issues with it at first, because a talent competition isn't necessarily my thing, I'm a person who likes to sing and dance and just have a good time with music, rather than make it something competitive. But seeing so many singer songwriters this year--people who really are credible musicians and have been working at it their whole lives and truly deserve it than somebody who rolled out of bed one day and wanted to be on a TV show and have an OK voice and a pretty face. It  was really kind of fun, we all got to sit around backstage while we were waiting for rehearsals and stuff. We got to just jam out and stuff. We'd all pass around the guitar and sing. It was awesome."

Should Idol allow contestants to perform original songs?

"That's a tough one. We were talking about that, Lilly and I. It would be really awesome because I feel people like Crystal, I and others-we would definitely excel in that category. But at the same time, it's a show where you get judged. It's really hard because original music--especially the music I write--is filled with a lot of emotion and based on your personal experiences, and I think it would be hard for me to get up in front of four people and hear that my personal experiences are invalid and my song that I wrote when I was going through a hard time wasn't good enough. It's mix and match, but I definitely think it would be a cool twist to bring to the show."

No that you're gone, who are you rooting for to win season 9?

"I really do--not to be cheesy--wish them all well. I got to know them so well, and we've worked so hard. Honestly, from the start, Crystal Bowersox, whose been this very true true friend to me. When she sings, it comes from the heart. She totally deserves it, and I'm going to be pulling for her all the way."

What's next for you now that Idol is done?

"I'm flat broke--I've got to go back to Des Moines and start working, and continue to pursue recording and writing music with all sorts of artists. There's a band called "Love Drug" that's been a band that I've been listening to since I was young. I'm going to get together with them and hopefully start writing some music with them and as well as other artists--just getting back in the studio and getting back to what I truly love to do."

(Image courtesy of FOX)