LUKE MENARD, 29, CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why do you think people didn't vote for you this week?
LUKE MENARD: Um, that's a good question.
Song choice? Charisma? Performance?
You know, I wouldn't say charisma. If anything, maybe because I picked two up-tempo songs back to back. Maybe I was trying to impress them too much with energy and trying to have too much fun up on stage. Maybe not a lot of people are fans of Wham!
I think people are fans, but ''Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go'' seems like it could be stuck in its time period. What was the thought with picking that song?
I know that ''Wake Me Up'' is a classic '80s song, and that's what I was looking for. I wanted a song I could have fun with on stage, one that would just liven things up. The song I thought of was ''Wake Me Up,'' and I have a high tenor voice — I wanted to show that off also. I was able to sail on those high notes in the middle of the song. I think I accomplished what I wanted to do, it just didn't come across to people the way I wanted it to.
People didn't quite get it. Simon didn't have too many nice things to say — he called it ''girly'' and ''weak.'' What's your response?
You know, he never had anything nice to say to me on camera. I wasn't surprised by that. Ever since the first week in Hollywood — he didn't give me one compliment the whole time. I wasn't up there trying to impress Simon, I was trying to impress the voters, because they're the ones who put me through the first few weeks. But, you know, he did give me a really nice compliment after the show last night.
What'd he say?
He said, ''You know, you have a great look. This song didn't really work out for you this week, but you have a great look, and I know I'm going to see you doing something on television.'' So that made me feel good.
Do you think you'd like to do something on television?
Absolutely. That's what I'm going for. I'd love to do...
A hosting gig?
A hosting gig, or some kind of acting — whether it's some kind of soap opera or drama. I'd also love to do Broadway someday.
What's your ideal role on Broadway?
Jersey Boys.
That'd be perfect.
Frankie Valli — get that high tenor in there. I love that show.
If you could model your career on someone, who would it be?
I've always loved James Taylor. I'm not really his style at all, and I know I'm much younger than him, but just the longevity he's had with his career. I'd love to have a career where I could look back in 20 or 30 years and say, I've been doing the same thing for such a long time. He's been so dedicated to his craft, and I'd love to do that.
We saw you doing '60, '70s, and '80s, but what kind of contemporary music would you have done?
I would have loved to pull out Maroon 5-style songs. I love that style. That's my vocal range also. Also maybe some Keane, the British band. Those are the two bands I would have gone to first.
NEXT: Danny Noriega
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