Changed life finds 'Idol' Trias still true to self

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mayor Jeremy Harris escorted "American Idol" finalist Jasmine Trias from her limo as she arrived at a ceremony earlier this month proclaiming May 14 as a day in her honor. Scott Morifuji • The Honolulu Advertiser

"The reason I cried was because I knew I didn't give my best performance," Trias said. "When the judges pushed it, I just broke down. I'm only human. I think it's all right to cry. I broke down, and I guess America felt it and they voted for me."

Trias said she had mixed feelings when she survived the week at the expense of LaToya London.

"LaToya had a strong performance and I didn't," she said. "I should have (been eliminated). When I found out (that I had survived), I was happy and I was sad. But every Wednesday was like that."

It didn't help that guest judge Clive Davis asked Trias to sing "All by Myself" during her last week on the show — a song London had drawn raves for in an earlier round.

Trias admitted that the criticism directed at her in recent weeks had affected her. Still, she said, the votes from her fans in Hawai'i and the rest of the country more than compensated.

"I could just feel the support, especially from Hawai'i," she said. "It was overwhelming."

With it came the pressure of representing her home state.

"I didn't want to let people down," she said. "When I went back (last week), it touched my heart to see so much support. I'm just so grateful. I was nothing before, and now I'm something."

In a conference call with national media yesterday morning, Trias said that fellow teen Diana DeGarmo has "a big, powerful voice and a lot of energy" and that Fantasia Barrino is "very soulful" and is "so cute" with her baby daughter and — oh, yeah — they're all going to be "friends forever."

The 17-year-old Maryknoll student said she had exceeded her wildest expectations by being one of three finalists on the hit TV show, and she intends to use her experiences to kick-start a career in pop and R&B music.

"My life is never going to be the same after this," Trias said. "But this is what I want to do. This was my dream, and I just want to move forward."

Her immediate future includes a three-month "American Idol" tour starting in July, and a likely recording contract.

Trias also commented on other issues of import to curious "Idol" watchers.

Her trademark flower: "It was my decision to get rid of it. As the show goes on, you start to transform into more of a star. I wasn't going to wear it for the rest of my life."

Her favorite celebrity judge: "Barry Manilow was the best, because he worked with us on the songs. He advised us on how to sing and perform."

The saddest departure: "The hardest to see leave was John Stevens. There was a lot of bashing from the judges and the media and it was really hard to take. Yet, like Simon said, he took it like a man."

The age factor: "I don't think age is such a big thing. It's a state of mind. It's about where you are and how you handle things."

As she gets ready for the next step in her budding career, Trias said she'd take away one valuable lesson from the show.

"America sees you as one person," she said. "If you try to compete with someone or be like them, you take away from yourself.

"I just want to stay Jasmine."

Reach Michael Tsai at 535-8051 or mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com