'Idol' singer slips into town
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By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Camile Velasco, 18, the fallen "American Idol" finalist from Ha'iku, Maui, has been on a quiet Honolulu hiatus since Tuesday — mostly to reunite with her uncle, who is being dispatched to Afghanistan. She also will be flipping pancakes for a few weeks at her family's restaurant to get back in her groove.
"I'm doing great; I'm happy to be back home," a relaxed-and-relieved-sounding Velasco said yesterday. She expressed gratitude for Hawai'i's support through her incredible, though abbreviated, "Idol" journey.
VELASCO
She was eliminated on the April 7 show, when she and fellow Island singer Jasmine Trias, 17, were in the same boat — lowest vote-getters in the national telecast on Fox.
The one-time waitress at her parents' International House of Pancakes at Maui Mall slipped into town to visit with her uncle and aunt in Waipahu, according to her mother, Rennie West.
"She wanted to say aloha and send good wishes to her Auntie Vonetta and Uncle Chris Kimble, since he is going to be sent to Afghanistan," said West. Velasco will return home to Maui today.
"She probably will work in our restaurant for a couple of weeks," said West. "But Camile tells me, 'Mom, I can't wait tables anymore. After I serve my first customer, I think I would just like to be in the back,' working for the same pay as other cooks."
The job would be short-term, since Velasco is committed to several "American Idol" projects, including a new CD, "Greatest Soul Classics," being released Tuesday, and a summer tour with the third "Idol" winner (to be named on the May 26 show) and the other 11 finalists in July and August.
Rennie and James West are planning to open an IHOP on O'ahu in December at a site to be announced, and hope to involve Camile in the opening.
On Maui, radio stations are planning a celebratory blow-out for their Valley Island "Idol," but plans were still pending yesterday.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
