Because Michael Lynche had been in the bottom three so many times before, to include an elimination that he escaped when the judges utilized a save several weeks ago, guests at the Inn on Wednesday evening thought for sure that Kelly would be spared. And prior to that moment, which put everyone on the edge of their seat for the shocking announcement, guests at the Inn were also speculating that Casey James would be the one to go following his performance of "Blue Skies" during Frank Sinatra night that garnered negative reviews from the judges. Aaron Kelly's version of "Fly Me To The Moon" last Tuesday evening had actually generated mixed reviews from the judges, with most of them positive.
So the reaction from the crowd of Kelly's elimination from the top five came as no surprise. "It's not fair," resounded from most of the crowd that gathered Wednesday evening in Sonestown to support their idol.
But for Aaron Kelly, his experience on American Idol was an educational experience - and just the beginning of his journey, not the end.
In a direct telephone interview with Aaron Kelly on Friday, he spoke of his journey - and talked about what the experience has been like for him. He also shared, during the same interview, what his plans are for the immediate future.
The Journey
Seventeen-year-old Aaron Kelly was born the youngest of three brothers to a family that was struggling in Florida. It was because of these struggles that Kelly's aunt and uncle from Sonestown, Pa., decided to adopt Kelly - and he soon called Sonestown his home. And from that point on, Aaron has performed in front of huge audiences such as county, state and national events, school functions, private parties, weddings, talent competitions, numerous social and charity events, national and local TV and radio.
Recent local performances by Kelly, prior to his journey on American Idol, have taken place at the Bloomsburg Fair for two of the past three years, and a 2008 performance at the Troy Fair. Kelly has opened for or played with Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, the Marshall Tucker Band and Martina McBride; and was a finalist on Pax-TV's "America's Most Talented Kids" when he was 11.
But when he was younger, Kelly used to watch American Idol, and felt it was something he wanted to do when he turned 16. "When I was watching Idol at a young age," said Kelly during an earlier interview, "I remember thinking that I wanted to be there, sitting in front of all those fans and being someone you admire."
And that dream soon came true as Kelly won over hearts during his first audition, and then advanced throughout each audition and performance to make it to the top five on American Idol - a spot where fans back home said Kelly wanted to be.
The Experience
And those who have tuned in, week after week, to watch Kelly perform and then vote, vote, vote, got to see their star shine - but were not able to talk to him throughout the experience. According to Kelly during the phone interview on Friday, he was able to go into his Facebook to read what people were posting - but he wasn't able to reply.
"It's like the Idol bubble," Kelly said of the focus and work required to be a participant in the show. "We spent all of our time working on selecting songs, and then preparing for them," he added. "Next thing you knew it was over, and then you had to start all over again for the next week."
Because of this, Kelly described how the contestants became like family to each other, and how everyone got along. "They're your family on the show," said Kelly, noting that of all the contestants - he and Tim Urban probably became the closest.
"Tim was like a big brother to me," said Kelly. "I was pretty sad when he was eliminated."
As for the judges, Kelly shared his thoughts about Simon Cowell, and how people perceive him differently than the contestants do. Kelly described Simon Cowell as being a great guy, who was just being honest.
"He always tells you the truth," said Kelly, "and he's always right." Kelly also noted that Simon Cowell was a really nice guy, even off camera, and that he was glad that he was able to perform on the show during Simon Cowell's last season as a judge on American Idol.
As far as the hard work that has gone into preparing and performing each week on American Idol, Kelly described it as being in "Idol College," and emphasized that it was training him for bigger things.
But of all the weeks that Kelly performed, he noted that Beatles week, for him, was the most difficult. "The list of songs to choose from was huge," said Kelly. "It took me a long time to go through each song and find one that would work for me," he added. Kelly's selection for Beatles week was "Long and Winding Road."
And, with no surprise to those who knew Kelly prior to his Idol experience, country week came easier. "By far," said Kelly, "Country week was the easiest." And although Kelly had a once in a life time chance of meeting Shania Twain, he said that his best experience was when he met Miley Cyrus.
"I grew up listening to country and it was cool to meet Shania," said Kelly, "but it was really cool to meet Miley." During Kelly's initial audition in Orlando, he won over the judges with "The Climb," a song written by Cyrus.
Kelly also spoke, during Friday's interview, of what life has been like for him in Hollywood. Coming from a town that has a population of just over 900, and only 27 homes at its center, the hustle and bustle and glitter of Hollywood was assuredly an experience for Kelly.
The one thing that Kelly said struck him the most as being different in Hollywood is that nothing seems to ever close down. "At home," said Kelly, "everything closed at either 6 or 8 p.m." "Everything out here is open forever."
The Journey Continues
Although the fans at the Sonestown Inn were catapulted into silence, and a somber feeling filled the room this past Wednesday upon Aaron Kelly's elimination - the journey for Kelly is far from over.
Describing what he felt at that exact minute he was eliminated, and not even connecting the thoughts that there were that many people tuned in back at home who were waiting on the edge of their seats, the most difficult part of that moment for Kelly was seeing the journey.
"I didn't know what to feel," said Kelly of the moment Ryan Seacrest said, "The one going home tonight (pause), is Aaron Kelly." "When they show our journey to us at elimination, it's hard to not cry and to then go out and sing," Kelly said. "It's really hard."
But those back home loved every minute of watching Kelly on the big screen, and were feeling every bit of his journey along with him. And Kelly was feeling much of this support along the way, with friends and family sending him links to news articles being published about his journey, and the literally thousands of comments received on Facebook.
"I love how much support I've been getting from Little 'Ole' Sonestown," said Kelly. "I was most excited to see the photo of my dog," he added of a Daily Review feature that had printed a photo of Aaron Kelly's dog Bo. "When I saw that picture .... he's my little buddy," he said with a bit of emotion.
But Kelly will be able to see Bo soon, and the two will be able to reunite during a six day visit to his hometown in the upcoming weeks. According to an American Idol spokesperson, Kelly will be able to travel back home for six days, and then will have to be back in Hollywood for the finale scheduled for May 25. After that, Kelly will stay in Hollywood where the Top 10 will prepare for their upcoming concert tour. It is not known at this time what six days Kelly will be allowed to come home, but the American Idol spokesperson will communicate his agenda once it is established.
And Kelly has many opportunities that await him. On the lighter side, Kelly said he has received a ton of marriage proposals since he became a household name on American Idol. Kelly also noted that the number of prom requests has been even higher. "I actually had two girls send me a letter from California stating that their friend would literally die if I didn't go to prom with her," said Kelly. When asked if he would take up any of the offers, Kelly stated that he wouldn't have time to go, and that they have much work to do to prepare for the tour which kicks off on July 1 in Chicago.
With the tour on the horizon for Kelly, he is looking forward to being on the road and seeing his fans. "It will be so much fun," said Kelly. "It will give me a chance to give back to all those fans out there."
Beyond the tour, Kelly hopes to record some music, and will be finishing up his high school education as well. According to Kelly, he just completed his Junior year through cyber school, and will now be picking up his electives so he can graduate.
And as far as his stop home before the finale, Kelly said the first thing he will do - which is understandable - is sleep. "I'm going to get lots and lots of sleep," he added.
source: thedailyreview.com
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