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[BOLD {STACEY}] ''Being a fan of the show [MDASH] and I'm not participating anymore, so I can say this unbiased [MDASH] I think it's the best top four in the history of [ITALIC {American Idol}]''

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

PHIL STACEY

Phil Stacey's ''Blaze of Glory'' didn't burn long enough to get him to American Idol's top four, but really, could he have chosen a more appropriate farewell tune? His goodbye montage and redux of ''Glory'' on Wednesday night's results show made for a memorably jubilant end to his surprising run. Before he heads back to the Navy, the endearing underdog chatted with EW about his country-music leanings, the military, and — most importantly — the smokin'-hot blazers he wore this week.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You did great the past few weeks — especially on country night. Did you expect to be voted off this week?
PHIL STACEY: I've come to not really expect anything. I was thrilled with the way things went down. Though I wanted to stay and represent for the people who've been supporting me for so long, I don't think I could have gone out on a better note unless I actually won the deal. Getting to sing Bon Jovi's ''Blaze of Glory'' was about the coolest leaving song, I think, ever.

Some people came out of the pen and blew us away right from the beginning, like LaKisha. You were a little bit more under the radar at first, and then you really hit your stride. Can you pinpoint why?
Absolutely: The pressure was off. When I came into the top 24, I knew this was my shot. I knew that if I missed this shot, then who knew what the future held for me as far as doing music for a career? Every week I ended up somehow messing up — I was petrified on the stage. I think once I got to the bottom three, and the bottom two, at one point or another I just said, ''Ah, forget it! It's all gravy now, I should have gone home weeks ago!''

So you're a country guy? I didn't really get that vibe until country week, with your performance of Keith Urban's ''Where the Blacktop Ends.'' Has that always been your thing?
Yeah. I like country music and I like gospel music. And I've done both for a long time. I tried to fit the genre of each week. I think in the long run I discovered that's not really the way to do American Idol.

What's the way to do it, then?
To go out there and be yourself through the entire competition. Instead of going out there and trying to prove you're a singer, prove you're an artist. Everybody who's left has really done that and has left their mark. Now people see me as a guy who could do country music, so I'm excited about showing them the music I write.

What song would you have sung next week for Bee Gees night?
I think I would have done ''Islands in the Stream,'' [which was written by the Bee Gees for] Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Here's the deal: Next week, what's gonna be funny is that all four of those jokers are going to shine. It's going to be a great week for them. That's one of the reasons I'm semi-glad I got cut this week. I would have hated to have gone out on a night when all of the judges were like, ''Man, I just wasn't feeling that.''

So what happens now? Will you be shipping right back to the Navy?
My primary responsibility at this point is to go back to being a sailor, to the military. I'm going back this week. The Navy's been incredibly supportive about my involvement with American Idol. But, you know, it's because I have brothers who were willing to stand in the gap for me when I was gone. I'm very, very grateful for the way the Navy's been through this.

Okay, most important question ever: Where did you get that blazer you wore on Tuesday night? Did you pick it out?
Oh my goodness, that was an absolutely hot jacket. And I wish I could think of the guy's name who designed both of them! Art, one our stylists, brought those jackets to me one day, and he was like, ''Hey, we want to see if these would work.'' And I put one on and was like, ''Oh my gosh, you have transformed me into a rock star!'' It's fantastic. I wish I could put a plug in for the guy who designed it.

Now there's three gals and one guy left — do you think that's an advantage for Blake? It had been balanced for so long. The male representation took a major dive last night!
Yes, we did! It's fitting, though, the way the season started off. The women were strong this year! But you know what? I'm glad that us dudes are represented by Blake. At this point, here's the deal: Melinda may be the best singer that's ever been on American Idol. LaKisha may be the most passionate singer ever. Jordin may have the strongest upper range of anybody. And Blake is the most original artist. So, being a fan of the show — and I'm not participating anymore, so I can say this unbiased — I think it's the best top four in the history of American Idol. I try to predict who gets voted off each week, and I'm never, ever, ever right, but I couldn't possibly predict who'll go next week.