Leah LaBelle, the 17-year-old ''American Idol'' contender from Seattle, has made more of an impression with viewers for bursting into tears than with her singing. In the first of our interviews with the spring 2004 finalists, she talked with EW.com about her emotional outbursts, her personal style, and what she's willing to cut (if she makes the cut) in the coming weeks.
You've gotten flak for crying after initially failing to make the final 12. How do you feel about that?
A lot of people have taken my emotions as immaturity, a sign that I'm not old enough to be in this competition. Whatever. I feel what I feel. If I wanna cry, I'm gonna cry -- regardless of who watches me. They can take it how they want to take it.
But it must do a number on your ego.
It hurts, because I'm a very sensitive person, which is why my emotions spill easily. It's hard for me to hold them in sometimes. But I'm human. And when you're so close to your dream and this is what you've worked for for 17 years, of course you're gonna cry. What do you expect me to do, laugh?
What's your favorite type of music?
I really like the whole urban, hip-hop kind of thing. I'm also into the '80s thing. I'm kind of all over the map.
What's in your CD player right now?
Beyoncé's ''Dangerously in Love.'' She's always in my CD player.
How do you stand out among the finalists?
I don't think any of us are alike in this competition. I'm an R&B singer, which is different. We're all individuals, and that's what makes us all stand out.
Everyone on this show gets a makeover. Are you ready?
I'm really looking forward to getting a new style. I want to have some say in it, but it'll be fun. I might change my hair. I'm cool with it being cut, but we'll see.
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