Tweet This Page

This is just an unofficial fan page, we have no connection to any shows or networks.

Please click here to vote for our site!

By Krista

Interview with Clark Beckham and Nick Fradiani of "American Idol XIV" on FOX 5/14/15

Final Transcript
FBC PUBLICITY: American Idol XIV Interview Call
May 14, 2015/8:30 a.m. PDT

SPEAKERS
Kristen Osborne, FOX Publicity
Clark Beckham, American Idol Runner-Up
Molly O’Gara, BWR Public Relations
Nick Fradiani, American Idol Winner

PRESENTATION

Moderator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to the American Idol Interview Call with runner up Clark Beckham. (Operator instructions.) As a reminder this conference is being recorded.

I'll now turn the conference over to Kristen Osborne for opening remarks. Please go ahead.

Kristen: Hi, thank you to everybody for joining us today. I am very excited to hand the call over to Clark Beckham, American Idol Superstar. Hold on one second. Here’s Clark.

Clark: Hello.

Moderator: Okay. Hi, Clark. Everyone is muted, so we’ll just go ahead with the first question, and that will come from Jamie Ruby with SciFi Vision. Please go ahead.

Jamie: Hi, Clark. Thanks so much for talking to us today.

Clark: Hi, Jamie. No problem. I’m happy I get to do it.

Jamie: What was your favorite moment last night?

Clark: My favorite moment last night was playing with Michael McDonald, no doubt. He’s just a legend and someone I’ve looked up to on the piano, and vocally, and off the stage as well, and it was all confirmed too meeting him and rehearsing with him. Just a great guy, humble, and a great example for me, and I want to be like him in many ways. But that was absolutely a moment and a performance I’ll never forget for as long as I live.

Jamie: Great. Out of the whole season what’s the one piece of advice from the judges that you’re going to take with you?

Clark: Probably what Keith said. I think he said a couple of times, he said something to the effect of “Don’t sing and don’t play what you can. Play and sing what you must.” I think that’s the best advice from the judges that I got.

Jamie: Great. Thank you so much. Good luck.

Clark: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question will come from Beth Kwiatkowski with Reality TV World. Please go ahead.

Beth: Hi, Clark. Thanks so much for taking the time for this today.

Clark: Absolutely. Thank you.

Beth: First off, I just want to know what was going through your mind when you were standing on the stage with Nick right before the announcement was made. Were you surprised at all with the results?

Clark: Right when the results happened, truly, both of us were saying, Nick is funny. Nick thought he was going home many times. Many shows he was like, “I’m in the bottom two, I know it. I’m just in the bottom two.” And I’m like, “Bro, you’re crazy. You’re going to do fine.” Or, he said, “I’m going home. I’m going home. I just know it.” I’m like, “Dude, I don’t think you are.” And he never has. And then yesterday during the show he was like, “Man, I think you won. I think you won. I think you won.” And I was like, “Man, I have no idea.”

Nick has always been that way, but I think really deep down neither of us truly had any idea what name was going to come out of Ryan’s mouth when he made the announcement. And obviously I wanted to win and I wanted the streamers, and the title, and the trophy, and all of the things, and I wanted to go to Vancouver for the World Cup so bad, I’m a huge soccer fan. But at the end of day I just believe with all my heart that I’m exactly where I need to be, and I can’t wait to see where I go from here.

Beth: Okay, great. And I have a little bit of a tough question. You had your share of tiffs with Scott Borchetta, and even the judges tried to convince you a couple times to his thinking about singing more modern songs and all that. Jennifer even admitted Tuesday night that Nick is probably Simon Fuller’s dream American Idol with the whole package and all that. Scott was also very supportive of Nick’s song choices throughout the competition. So, I just want to get your opinion on whether or not you sort of feel they favored Nick a little bit, or you did find it difficult to truly be yourself throughout this competition, because I feel like there was a lot of influence that was [audio disruption] on you.

Clark: What you said about playing more modern, I really believe that I am modern, and I think the best modern is when an artist can understand and play and do music that is coming right now and is just on the brink, or just around the bend, just coming alive. And I really believe that the music that I put out and that I am, I really think that that’s really what’s going to come around the bend.

But, yes, I don’t think I would have fit with Scott as well as Nick is going to fit with Scott. I think they worked really well together through the whole competition. Scott is extremely successful and he’s a great guy, and no matter what I really believe, and I know, that he wants the best for me and for Nick. Honestly, Nick and I were talking about it, I think the best outcome happened. The best thing for Nick was for him to win. I believe I’m where I need to be and the best thing that could have happened to me is what happened. I just choose to believe that. At the end of the day that’s where I stand.

Beth: That’s great, Clark. Thanks so much.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is from Judith Little with Yes TV. Please go ahead.

Judith: Hi, Clark. How are you?

Clark: Hi. I’m excellent. Thank you.

Judith: It’s great to chat with you. Now, you’ve already shared what your favorite memory was from last night’s show, but can you share with us what was your favorite memory with Nick, who’s this year’s American Idol from the entire journey.

Clark: Oh, man. Oh, gosh so many great memories with Nick. Well, when it was the final three, when it was Jax, Nick, and me, in the Dolby Theatre we had our own dressing rooms, at least the girl, girls and guys were separated, and because there was one girl, Jax had her own room, and then I had my own room as well. Just a conversation we had there, like “Hey, man I think you’re going to do great.” And just the conversations when it was right at the end, cameras were off, doors were closed, just me and him in the room and those conversations that we had, just the rawness.

And I could tell, I can attest, Nick is, I’m so happy for him and I’m so glad that he is being lifted up in this way, because Nick is exactly who he is on and off camera. He is exactly the same person, truly. When he said the things that he said right before the announcement was made and when Ryan asked us if we had something to say to each other, he said those things to me off camera and on camera with the same sincerity. He’s a very sincere, genuine person.

And I could not be happier with how everything went down, and so many memories with him. We all called him “Grandpa” that was because he was the oldest contestant on the show, and he’s 29. And we were younger and we always called him “Grandpa.” I don’t know, it’s a lot of great memories and more to come.

Judith: Okay. Now, last night Yes TV hosted an exclusive viewing party for your Canadian viewers here at our studios, and past American Idol finalist Danny Gokey was here performing, and he said on air that he just had so much respect for you for how open you’ve been about your faith on this journey. Can you share with us a little bit about your faith?

Clark: Yes. My faith has never been something I want to push. It’s never been a publicity card, ever. But it’s never something I’ve wanted to hide. It’s something that I think doesn’t contradict anything I’m doing, or anything I want to do. God is the one who has made me who I am, and it’s a great service to be successful. I owe it all to Him. He’s such a part of my life I just can’t help, he’s going to come out in conversations and anything. Just like if you’re married or if you love someone how they’re going to come out in conversations, you’re going to talk that person, that’s how it is with me. I owe it all to Him. He’s led me this far and I know he’s not going to leave me where I am now. I love the Lord, and that’s just really what it comes down to.

Judith: Clark, thank you so much. Congratulations.

Clark: Thanks.

Moderator: Thank you. We’ll go next to Michelle Angermiller with Billboard. Go ahead, please.

Michelle: Hey, Clark.

Clark: Hey, how are you?

Michelle: I’m good. I want to talk to you about “Champion,” the process that went into choosing it. That was actually, I thought, a good song for you. Did you feel comfortable singing that? Did you have any time when you had any trouble with that song? Did you have any choice in the matter with the songs, or did they give that to you?

Clark: For the whole season they were looking for songs for us, and we had the opportunity to just have some of the greatest writers in the world write for us, and they were looking for a song that was appropriate, that was a victory chant. After this long marathon of a journey that this American Idol experience has been they were looking for a song that’s a victory chant and also a song that works for the World Cup, because the winner, their single is also going to be featured a lot in the Women’s World Cup. So, they were looking for that and looking at a lot of things.

Musically, it’s not the style of music that I am looking forward to doing in the future as far as an artist, but I think it was just the perfect song. I love the lyrics. I really, really, really love the lyrics of the song and the message. I think it was the perfect song for what they were looking for and what it was going to be used for, the Women’s World Cup, and also for just the potential victory of the competition and just the final victory lap, final finishing chant at the end of this long marathon of a journey.

Michelle: You mentioned your faith before. Is that a direction you would want to go to? If this isn’t the kind of music you’re envisioning, are you thinking more of a soul, faith-driven record, kind of like the direction Danny Gokey is in, or like so many other Idols, like Colton Dixon?

Clark: Sure. Not necessarily. I want to do, I guess what you call secular music. Sometimes people can get scared of that word “secular.” Secular just means outside of the church. I believe in God and He influences everything I do. I’m not a Christian artist. I’m an artist and I’m a Christian. That’s how I would describe it. My faith informs everything I do, whether it be how I talk to people, how I dress. The Bible says that with everything you do, even how you eat, do it to the Glory of God, even eat and drink, everything. That’s how I see it.

But I believe I’m not called to do Christian music or gospel music, although that’s been a huge part of my growing up, and I love it, and I think it’s needed and it’s helped me many times, Christian music, worship music, and gospel music, and I love it. But as far as my music, I think I’m called, I’m going to stick to writing and singing what we call secular music and pop music.

Michelle: I’m looking forward to seeing you on the tour. Are you going to play a million instruments?

Clark: Oh, I’m going to play everything they’ll let me put my hands on, no doubt.

Michelle: Thank you, Clark. I can’t wait to see you this summer.

Clark: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is from MJ Santilli with MJ’s Big Blog. Go ahead, please.

MJ: Good morning, Clark. Hi.

Clark: Good morning. How are you doing?

MJ: Good. I was wondering if there were any songs you wanted to sing on the show that you didn’t get a chance to?

Clark: Yes. We sang a lot of songs by the end of it. If you think about it, there were tons of songs we got to sing. But of course there are some others. One song I really love playing and maybe it wouldn’t have worked in the 90 second format snippet TV clip of American Idol that we have to really take all the songs down into, a couple songs, “Gravity” by John Mayer is one of my all-time favorite songs, I think. I really relate to that song, and I think it’s one of the most important songs written in years. That’s one. “Magic” by Coldplay, my band and I do a really cool, groovy version of that. And also “Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green is another favorite of mine I would have loved to do. Yes, those are some.

MJ: Speaking of that, you named a couple of artists there. When you do make a record and you say you see yourself as a pop artist, could you maybe explain a little bit more, maybe make some comparisons to artists that are out there now of the kind of record that you would like to make.

Clark: Yes. It’s hard to articulate in words, I guess. The best way I can do it is sit down with you, me on guitar and play some original stuff for you and talk you through that way. But pop just stands for popular music, and also AC, like adult contemporary, like John Mayer stuff, that’s where I see myself going. I also see myself going along the trail that Bruno Mars, he’s been like a trailblazer in this new, “Uptown Funk” and this new type of music that’s wildly successful and people love it. I think I’ll make music that’s not Bruno Mars, but it’s absolutely along that path that he’s made. Also, Robin Thicke is a soul man. He’s a great R&B singer in the current day.

So, Robin Thicke, John Mayer, someone who doesn’t—really, what genre is John Mayer? John Mayer’s genre is John Mayer. It’s just the music that comes out of him, people love it because it’s good music. That’s what I hope to do when I make music. But I guess Robin Thicke, John Mayer, Bruno Mars, and of course I could probably name countless others. That’s the kind of vibe I’m wanting, current popular music but with heavy R&B influences.

MJ: Good luck, and we’ll see you on tour.

Clark: Thank you. I can’t wait.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is from Joy Parris with Rich Girl Productions. Go ahead, please.

Joy: Hi, Clark. Congratulations.

Clark: Hi, Joy. Thank you so much.

Joy: My question to you is, of all the things you’ve learned on the show and all the advice you’ve gotten, can you share with me something technical that you will now take forward to implement into your style of music?

Clark: Sure. Vocally, I’ve learned, TV music is hard because you sing into the mic and then typically in an artist’s career they have two ways of being heard. They have when you’re on tour and you’re playing for people in concerts and you’re going through a sound system, and that’s coming out through big speakers live, right there, and that’s what you hear. Or, you have a song come out on the radio, in a recording studio, when you have recording equipment and you produce it, and put reverb on it, and you’re in a studio, and you have the best sound come out and produced that way, and mastered, and all that stuff.

Then TV, it’s like the live thing, but the audio goes through and goes into the board, it’s compressed, and then it shoots up into a satellite, and then it’s compressed there, and shoots back down and goes out to everybody’s TVs. So, you get a different sound. It’s much, much, much less forgiving, so every note that’s just barely sharp, or barely flat, is very obvious in those situations on TV, because of that compression. And then it’s compressed again into YouTube, when people go back to watch the YouTube videos, and then they watch it in 360P and a low quality possibly through their phone speakers.

So, it’s quite a different sound when it goes through all of those filters and it’s compressed, and compressed, and listened to that way. So, really I’ve learned to just, I think, to really be conscious of pitch even more than I ever have. I think that’s something that I’ve been able to get better at.

Joy: Great. You mentioned all of your faith, and your changes in your style of singing. Quickly, how have you transformed as an artist being on American Idol?

Clark: I think I’ve transformed because I think I sing, instead of what Keith said on the show to me, I think I sing more in the moment. I think I’m able to get more into the song emotionally. It’s really, really, really difficult to get deep into a song in a vulnerable place where you find yourself, I can get in that moment when I’m by myself in my room just playing guitar, just me and the walls, no one around, but then you have to get in that place on national television for a 90 second song, with cameras, with the judges, with the lights, with the cameras, with fog, and the stage, and a lot of times in the show when we just found out that we made it through, and we’re running up on stage, and the music starts and then you’re singing.

So, that is extremely, extremely difficult. But I have to say after this ten month process that’s been for me, because I auditioned in July, last July, in this whole process, that’s something that I’ve been able to do better is get into the music and get into character, if you will, of the song and do that more effectively.

Joy: Great. Thank you so much, and congratulations, again.

Clark: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. We have a question now from Rebecca White with Cupid’s Pulse. Go ahead, please.

Rebecca: Hi, Clark. How are you?

Clark: Hi, Rebecca. I’m doing very well. Thank you.

Rebecca: Okay. On Tuesday you sang “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and I think we saw you blushing when JLo asked you who you were singing for. I was just curious if that performance was for anyone special?

Clark: Yes, I remember her asking that, and I was like, oh Lord, please do not ask that. But it’s interesting because no, there’s no one that I was singing that specifically to, and there’s no one in my life in that way, in a romantic way. But it’s funny because everyone is like, “Oh, who are singing to? Do you have someone?” The song’s about the person being gone, so I don’t think it relates to is there someone in my life right now, because I guess maybe it is appropriate because there is no one and the song’s about her not being there. So, I guess no one specific, no, but I just tried my best and I think I was really able to get into that heartbreak and really deliver that. But, no, there was no one specific that I was thinking of.

Rebecca: Okay. And how has being a musician impacted your dating life up until this point in your life? Even though there’s no one now, but previously how has that impacted your dating life?

Clark: Great question. I’ve never really thought about it. A personal question, and I don’t mind that at all. Thank you for asking it. Obviously I guess it’s the initial, and it can be an attractive thing, oh, cool, he’s a musician, that’s cool. And that could be an initial attraction. But sometimes I had someone that I was dating and she was worried, she was like, “I’m afraid that you’re going to choose music ahead of me. I’m afraid that music’s going to be a bigger part of your life than I am.”

And it’s hard. It’s an interesting balance that I never thought about, but music really is, and I don’t know if this is weird to say or what, but it’s just the reality, it’s just how I feel, music really is a, it’s like I’m in a relationship with her, “her” being music. I’m just obsessed with, this is weird, as I’m referring to music as a “her,” but just follow me with it, if we can be cliché and I guess romantic here, but I really am in love with her and I can’t imagine a life without music.

And sometimes I guess maybe that, it can either get in the way of other relationships. But I really believe with all my heart that when it is right, when I do have the right person in my life in that way, that it won’t be conflicting, that it will elevate, that it will help. And I guess I’m waiting for that to happen, for the right person.

Rebecca: Okay, great. Thank you.

Clark: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. That’s all the time we have now for Clark. So, do you have any closing remarks?

Clark: Just, thank you, guys. I’m glad I got to talk to you all. Again, ultimately I’m very proud of the performances that I’ve done on the show, and I don’t regret a single note that ever came out of me, whether it’s on my guitar, piano, or my voice, or any word I said, or anything I ever said on the show. I think I depicted myself accurately as an artist and what kind of music I love and want to make, and I’m staying true to myself on the show, and I plan on doing that for music’s sake. Again, I just thank all you guys for being here and asking me these questions and keeping me thinking. I’m just very appreciative and grateful. And Kristen wants to talk to you.

Moderator: Kristen, please go ahead.

Kristen: Hey, guys. Just letting you know that if you stay on the line we’ll have Nick calling in momentarily. Okay? Thank you so, so much. Bye-bye.

Moderator: You’ll be back on music hold temporarily and we’ll resume with Nick. Thank you.

Moderator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to the American Idol interview call with winner, Nick Fradiani. (Operator instructions.) As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.

I’ll now turn the conference over to Molly O’Gara for opening remarks. Please go ahead.

Molly: Hi, everybody. Thanks so much for joining us for the call today with Nick. As a reminder, he is here to talk about his season on Idol and his plans moving forward. If we do feel anyone is harping on a particular subject we do reserve the right to move the call along. But other than that, we’ll go ahead and get started with the first question.

Moderator: Thank you. That will come from Susan Dunne with The Hartford Courant.

Susan: Hey, Nick.

Nick: Hey.

Susan: I wanted to ask you, a few days ago I asked you what you were going to do with the time that you had down between the end of Idol and the beginning of the tour preparations. And I want to ask you now, do you know now how much time there will be, and will you be spending it in Nashville, or in Connecticut? And if you’re in Connecticut, will you be putting on any shows?

Nick: To be honest, I don’t really know right now. I think I’m going to be meeting with Scott over at Big Machine, as well as 19 Entertainment, and we’ll probably start discussing what I’ll be doing with this upcoming record. I do think there’s going to be a couple days I know I will be back home in Connecticut. I’m flying back into New York. In terms of shows I don’t really know. I’d love to. I hope to get a chance to play back in Connecticut again because when I went back home and got to play for the parade it was pretty amazing.

Susan: What is 19 Entertainment?

Nick: 19 is my management now. It’s a split thing, with Big Machine records is my record company, and 19 Entertainment is my management.

Susan: Okay. People keep asking me to ask you if you have a girlfriend right now.

Nick: I do not.

Susan: Okay, thank you.

Nick: Got it.

Moderator: Our next question is from Bill Pinella with the San Diego Union Tribune. Please go ahead.

Bill: Hi, Nick. Congratulations, and thanks for doing this.

Nick: Thank you so much.

Bill: My first question is, Clark talked about how they called you “Gramps” on the show because you were the older guy. One, was it awkward for you being older than a lot of them? Two, do you think it might have been a positive for you to get a glimpse into a younger generation’s, so to speak, music taste?

Nick: Yes. I have my Master’s degree in Secondary Education, so I actually interned at a high school and student taught at a high school for a year. So, I was used to hanging with kids 16, 17, or not hanging but at least relating to them, and so a lot of these kids I think I got along with them great. I listen to all different types of music, so I never really had a problem with the current pop music or anything like that.

Bill: Okay. Secondly, I heard an interview with JLo after the show last night, and she hinted that indeed next year might not be the last of Idol. Had you heard that? And do you think they should continue with the show after you’ve gone through it?

Nick: I do. Yes, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to be gone forever. It means that Fox decided not to pick it up. I’d love to see the show continue. It could be cool to see a revamp of it, maybe they can do something a little different. There will never be another American Idol. If it does end next year, it was an incredible run. The amount of success that shows have to be on for 14 years, 15 years, it’s truly amazing. Just to have been able to be a part of it is really awesome.

Bill: Okay. Well, from one Italian American to another, good luck.

Nick: Thanks, man.

Moderator: Thank you. We’ll go next to Michelle Angermiller with Billboard. Please go ahead.

Michelle: Nick.

Nick: Hey.

Michelle: I am so happy you were the first one to bring home a title to the east coast. I’m so proud of you.

Nick: Thank you so much.

Michelle: Now, I wanted to talk to you about Chris Carrabba and your big Dashboard Confessional thing, you’ve got a Connecticut connection there with him.

Nick: Yes.

Michelle: So, talk to me about the song.

Nick: Yes, I love the song. The single, I was really happy with. As a songwriter it’s always scary to get a song handed over to you and you just don’t know what it’s going to be like. Luckily for me I got the demo and I started listening to it, and I’m like, that’s Chris Carrabba, I just know his voice, with Dashboard Confessional. And I looked at Scott and he was like, yes, man, he wrote the song, so I lucked out with that one, man. It’s spot on to the type of music I wanted to do and what I was doing with my band prior to Idol. Yes, it was a real special thing. I lucked out big time.

Michelle: What was the first thing you did after you got off the stage? Tell me everything that was going through your head when you found out that you won, because it was the most exciting thing ever to happen to anybody to be on American Idol.

Nick: I’m trying to go back and remember everything, and it’s hard to. It was such a blur yesterday. I remember when I got off stage they brought me back into my dressing room that I was staying in and they brought my family down, and brought some friends down, and it was just a real special moment. The whole night, everything was done so well and I never once thought that something like this was going to happen to me. It’s just beyond words. It’s really amazing.

Michelle: Now, you’re going to hit the ground running, right?

Nick: I’m ready to work, yes. This is what I signed up for. I’m ready for it. I’m just so happy to have this opportunity. It’s going to be a wild ride, but I’m ready for it.

Michelle: I can’t wait to see you on tour, Nick. Do you have any idea what they’re going to have you do, or what your set’s going to be like?

Nick: I don’t yet. I know that I’m going to be getting a decent amount of time, probably more than any other season, because there are only five of us this year on the tour. I think I’m going to get a solid set. I don’t know if my record will be written by then, it probably won’t, but I have a lot of original music that I’m going to share that my band wrote, as well as the single I have out now. I’m looking forward to playing some original songs for people.

Michelle: Ooh, so we can hear “Coming Your Way?”

Nick: “Coming Your Way,” so you know it? Yes, absolutely. I was trying to play that on the show. They wouldn’t let me do it, for fairness issues. But I wanted to sing some original stuff the whole time, so I’m excited to do some of those on the tour.

Michelle: Good. That song fits in so well with Walk the Moon and other things that are on the radio right now.

Nick: Yes, I’m hoping that we might be able to re-cut that one for the record, so I’m going to have to show it to Scott and see what he thinks.

Michelle: Good luck to you, Nick. I’m happy for you.

Nick: Thank you so much.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is from Akaya McElveen with the New Haven Register. Please go ahead.

Akaya: Hi, Nick.

Nick: Hey, how are you doing?

Akaya: Good, how are you?

Nick: Good.

Akaya: Since the start of the season did you ever think that you would become a role model for the younger generation?

Nick: Oh, man. I guess whenever you’re on TV, or you’re in the public eye like this you should always be aware that you could be a role model to somebody. That’s very important to me. Like I said, I’ve always been involved in education and working with kids and stuff. I’ve been a high school basketball coach, I’ve taught in high school, so I always know that you can be so impressionable to young kids, and it’s really important to me. So, I’m always trying to do the best I can to lead with a good example.

Akaya: And what advice would you give to an aspiring artist who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Nick: Just never give up. I know they make the “Grandpa” joke at 29, I grinded this music thing out for a long time, and there’s a lot of times I could have given up and said, “Just go get a normal job. Start making some money. Stop playing bars and grinding out and maybe it’s time to just get a real life job type stuff.” But I just truly felt that I was supposed to do this and I never gave up on the dream I had and I’m glad I never did.

Akaya: Do your friends back home treat you any differently?

Nick: Not really. No, my buddies, they’re still all the same. A lot of them flew out here and everything is pretty much the same still.

Akaya: And what can we expect from your first album?

Nick: I think, to be honest with you, the single that you’re hearing out now, “Beautiful Life” to me is a good example of the type of genre it’s going to be. If you want, my band is called Beach Avenue, if you want to listen to some of our past stuff, that could give you an idea as well. We’ll see. I’m sure I’m going to come up with some new ideas and I’m hoping to write with some cool co-writers as well. It’s going to be cool.

Akaya: Okay.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question comes from Sarah Kyrcz with ShoreLine Times. Go ahead, please.

Sarah: Thank you. Congratulations, Nick.

Nick: Thank you.

Sarah: We’ve been rocking out to Beach Avenue.

Nick: Oh, that’s awesome.

Sarah: What do you think is your appeal to those people who listened to you and voted for you? And what sets you apart from the other contestants?

Nick: I think a big part of American Idol, there’s been some powerhouse vocalists on this show, and I can sing but I never considered myself to be some powerhouse vocalist. I do the best that I can and I do what I need to do as a rock/pop singer. But I think a lot about American Idol is just overall just hoping that people like you. I tried to just paint a picture of how I am as a person and get my personality to come through, and I think that happened. I don’t know I’m hopefully just a relatable guy. I’m just a regular dude that likes to play music, and I guess people liked it. I did the best I could, and I’m still shocked but so happy to be in this position right now.

Sarah: At what point did you know in your gut that you were going to win?

Nick: To be completely honest with you, not until I felt it when I sang my coronation song on Tuesday. When I ended the show and sang it, and it felt big, it felt really big and it got so loud when I finished. And at that point I was like I think you’ve got a shot at this now. I never really gave myself much of a shot and then at that point I thought I had a pretty good one.

Sarah: So, it was like the final moment on Tuesday?

Nick: Yes, it was. It was the final moment of the show where I finally thought that I had a really good shot. It was probably one of my favorite performances of the season for me, so it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Sarah: I find that interesting, because that shows your growth.

Nick: Right. I agree. Yes, Tuesday was a good day. I was so happy with how everything played out with the song choices and the order in which they went. It was a good thing. It showed all the layers of me as an artist, including getting to play an original song. So, it was a special day.

Sarah: Good. One other question, what high school did you teach in?

Nick: East Haven High School.

Sarah: Is that where you did your student teaching?

Nick: Yes, I student taught at East Haven High School. I got my Master’s at the University of New Haven, and I coached at North Haven High School and East Haven High School as well.

Sarah: The only thing you have left if you wanted to be a teacher is to do more student teaching, is that—

Nick: Yes, I didn’t actually student teach. What it was, UNH had a program where I went to school at night and I interned at the high school for a year, and that paid for my schooling. So, all I have left is the eight weeks or so of student teaching. I still have to do that.

Moderator: Thank you. We’ll go next to Jamie Ruby with SciFi Vision. Go ahead, please.

Jamie: Okay. Hi, thanks for talking today.

Nick: Thank you so much.

Jamie: Sure. Other than being excited to sing your own music, which is really great, is there anything else that you’ve been thinking that you’re looking forward to doing on tour, or part of it?

Nick: Yes, I’m looking to collaborate with some of these top five people, because we’re sitting around in the dressing rooms, we’re always messing around with our guitars and pianos and whatnot, and so probably to do some duets with Jax, or whoever, Clark, Rayvon, Tyanna, I think that’s going to be really cool.

Jamie: That would be a lot of fun. Throughout your whole journey what’s the one piece of advice from the judges that you got that you’ll take with you that you think helped you the most?

Nick: I think all of the judges said it at one point, just trying to get me to break out of my comfort zone and just let loose out there. I just needed to get my confidence up, and once that happened it took off, so probably that, just let loose, man. That’s what they kept telling me, just break open.

Jamie: Great. Thank you. Congratulations.

Nick: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is from Beth Kwiatkowski with Reality TV World. Please go ahead.

Nick: Hi, Beth.

Beth: Hi, Nick. Congratulations on your big win.

Nick: Thank you.

Beth: We just talked to Clark before you, and he told me that you were thinking you’d be the one going home every week as of recently, like “Oh, no, it’s me in the bottom, it’s going to be me, it’s going to be me.” Was that because of your own performances and maybe a little bit of lack of confidence there? Or was it another contestant, like, say Jax, or Clark, for example, who was particularly threatening or intimidating to you, I guess?

Nick: Probably none of that really. It was probably just a way of me mentally preparing for whatever. I think that’s how I used to just react to things. Also, I was always considered the underdog, I feel like. Everybody had Jax and Clark up there, and they’re very talented, so obviously they brought it every week.

But, yes, I think that was more of just me preparing myself for whatever, do you know what I mean? I don’t want to go in there thinking that I’m definitely going through. So, I always was like, “I’m probably going home.” I said that since top eight, I was saying that. That’s probably why they said that. But, no, not really an intimidation thing, or even down on my performances, I think it was just to prepare myself for whatever.

Beth: Okay. American Idol has obviously created a handful of very successful artists before you. But there have also been winners who fell off the map shortly after the hype of the season died down. I just want to know what you plan to do to stay relevant. Are you a little bit worried about being taken seriously because of the American Idol title that’s going to follow you through your career?

Nick: No, not at all. To be honest with you, to me I think the biggest thing is the songs. I think American Idols that come off the show and don’t have a hit song, that makes it tough. If you come off the show and the song isn’t big, then it takes a couple months for you to get your next single out there, and that time could be damaging. One thing I’m excited for is I think the single is going to do well, right now it’s number two on iTunes, and I hope that that can continue to do well.

The one thing that I’m really the most confident as an artist is my songwriting ability, and my ear for my pop music. So, I’m really excited to show that off. It was a side that I wasn’t able to show on American Idol. That’s why it shocked me that I was able to win, because my songwriting is what I consider to be my strong point, so I think that I’m going to be able to succeed because of that. I think the most important thing is having the songs. You’ve got to back it up with good songs, and I think I’m going to have that.

Beth: That’s great, Nick. Thanks. Best of luck with everything.

Nick: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. We have a question from MJ Santilli with MJ’s Big Blog. Go ahead, please.

Nick: Oh, I read those guys. What’s up?

MJ: Hi, Nick.

Nick: How are you doing?

MJ: Congratulations. From one Italian American who lives on the east coast to another, I’m thrilled that you won.

Nick: Thank you so much.

MJ: Have you and Scott actually sat down yet and had any discussions about your album? In some interviews he said that he could see you maybe even going down a country route.

Nick: Yes, we had discussed that at one point. I think that might be maybe in a couple of years it could be an option. But I think the direction that the single is, is the direction that I’m going to go into, which I’m happy. It’s where I’m most comfortable at. But we haven’t really sat down yet. We’re going to be doing that in the next couple days, where I’m going to really be able to put my input in on everything. I’m really looking forward to it. The artistic side of it and the songwriting aspect is what really excites me. I can’t wait.

MJ: You’re hoping to bring along your band with you. Would you maybe be fronting a band, or would your bandmates just come along and play?

Nick: Yes. Once you win American Idol, I’m going to be putting out an album as Nick Fradiani. But the music I play needs a band, and it’s not like I’m going to be singing to backtracks. Nick: and Ryan, they’ve been with me for the last four years and we’ve been through a lot, and without them I wouldn’t have been in this situation at all, and they’re ready. We were ready as a band and it just so happened that this happened instead. I’m really hoping that those two could join me on this ride and the record label could maybe fill the bass and whatever else needs to be used, or piano, or whatever, although we have a bass player too that could maybe come with us. But anyway, I’m just really hoping that they can play with me because they’re my best buds and they’re ready for it.

MJ: Thanks. Good luck.

Nick: Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. Our next question comes from Joy Parris with Rich Girl Productions. Go ahead, please.

Joy: Hi, Nick. Congratulations.

Nick: Thank you so much.

Joy: My question to you is, with all the advice and all the experience that you had on Idol, was there something new about yourself as an artist you learned that you didn’t know before?

Nick: Yes, I guess overall I didn’t know that I could perform at a high level. I knew I could just sit behind a guitar and play with my band right next to me, but towards the end I started to learn I could really move around, not that I could dance or anything, but that I could work a stage and get the crowd involved, and feel really at home as a front man. It felt good to know that I could do that. Scott was really working on getting that out of me, and it finally started happening towards the end there.

Joy: Great. Thank you so much, and congratulations again.

Nick: Thank you. I appreciate it.

Moderator: Thank you. We’ll go next to Rebecca White with Cupid’s Pulse. Go ahead, please.

Rebecca: Hi, Nick. Congratulations.

Nick: Hey there. How are you doing? Thank you.

Rebecca: Good. Well, now that you’ve had this experience and you have this amazing future ahead of you, how do you think this newfound success will impact your relationships and dating?

Nick: Can you say that again?

Rebecca: How do you think this success will impact your relationships and dating?

Nick: Being in music has always made it difficult to have relationships, especially when I’d be traveling a lot, so I’m sure it will make things more difficult, but I try not to look for those things. Hopefully the right thing just happens, and that would be pretty cool.

Rebecca: You obviously probably will be putting relationships on hold to focus on your career—

Nick: Right.

Rebecca: —but if you had to pick three important qualities in a partner what would they be?

Nick: Three important qualities. Humor, I like to laugh and have fun, so I’d say somebody that’s funny, somebody I can trust, and somebody that I can just be myself around.

Rebecca: Okay, great. Thank you.

Nick: Alright, thanks.

Moderator: Thank you. Next we have Judith Little with Yes TV. Please go ahead.

Judith: Hi, Nick. How are you? It’s great to chat with you.

Nick: Yes, how are you doing?

Judith: Great. The question for you is, family is so important, and you and your dad have such a unique relationship. Tell us a little bit about that, and what did he say to you [audio disruption] you were crowned the American Idol this year?

Nick: Yes, me and my dad have a really cool relationship. He’s my buddy. We had this music connection since I was a little kid, so it’s been something really special. It was really cool being able to see him after I won. I don’t even remember what he said. He was crying. It was an emotional moment there. I’m just so happy that we got to share that together.

Judith: Okay. And Scott Borchetta was an amazing addition to the show this year, such talent from him as a mentor. He said at the beginning that Taylor Swift, who he’s connected with, has that double threat of a singer/songwriter and you have that same thing. What kind of advice has he given you or one of the guest mentors throughout the season that you feel has been really valuable?

Nick: What was the last part? I didn’t hear that. It was breaking up a little bit. I’m sorry.

Judith: [Audio disruption] advice from either Scott or one of the guest mentors throughout the season that [audio disruption].

Nick: I’m losing her.

Molly: I’m so sorry. That question just isn’t coming through. There seems to be a—

Nick: I think I got most of it, though. Yes, Scott was so helpful throughout the whole season with me. We had a good rapport and we worked well together. He just has given me non-stop advice that really helped me to win this season, for sure.

In terms of one mentor, I think Florida Georgia Line actually helped a lot. They wanted me to own who I am and just rock the stage and that was when I thought I finally broke loose was their mentor session, when I sang a Katy Perry song, actually. They were like, “Dude, you’ve just go to rock the stage, be yourself, and let loose,” and that’s what I did. And ever since then it went well.

Moderator: Thank you. Then our final question will come from Susan Dunne with The Hartford Currant. Go ahead, please.

Nick: Hey, Susan.

Susan: Hi. You mentioned earlier in the conversation that you wanted to be the regular guy with the guitar who sings songs. I noticed that the wardrobe they gave you, almost every week, almost every song you were wearing jeans and a T-shirt. And I’m wondering, did you intentionally choose those kind of clothes to project that kind of image, or were the clothes chosen for you?

Nick: No, I got to pretty much choose what I wore. They would just give me a rack with all stuff. I just felt comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt, and that’s all I wanted to do is feel comfortable up there. And as long as the wardrobe signed off on it, I was good to go, so it all worked out.

Susan: Was it like that for every contestant, because everyone had this image they were projecting that was reflected in the clothes they wore?

Nick: Yes, we all got to pick what we wanted to wear. They went out, and they looked at what we were wearing and they just kind of got nicer stuff, to be honest with you. I would wear $10 T-shirts, and then they were giving me $100 T-shirts.

Susan: Okay. Thank you.

Nick: Thank you.

Molly: Okay, thank you guys so much for joining us today. We’re actually going to turn the call back over to Nick for a quick final remark. But, just as a reminder, you can catch the Idols on tour this summer and all art and photos can be found on Foxflash.com.

Nick: Yes, guys, I just want to, one, just thank you guys, all of you for taking the time to talk with me. I really appreciate it. Yes, hopefully I’ll see some of you guys out on the tour, and to please check out the single, “Beautiful Life.” I’m really proud of it, really excited for it, and I think if it could take off it could really help boost my career here. I’m looking forward to you guys hearing this first album. I hope you guys will end up liking it. Thank you.

Moderator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, this conference will be available for replay after 10:30 a.m. today through midnight, May 19th.

That does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for your participation, and for using AT&T Executive TeleConference. You may now disconnect.

Back to the Main Articles Page

Back to the Main Primetime TV Page

We need more episode guide recap writers, article writers, MS FrontPage and Web Expression users, graphics designers, and more, so please email us if you can help out!  More volunteers always needed!  Thanks!

Page updated 5/27/15