Camile blossoms

Editor's note: This is the second part of a three-day series looking at what's happened to "American Idol" contestants since they performed on the hit show. Tomorrow: Jasmine Trias.

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Camile Velasco, 19, the Ha'iku, Maui, waitress who had a short-lived run on "American Idol" earlier this season, said she's blossomed into a performer who's shy no more and simply wants to have fun.

Camile Velasco has always been a girl who wants to have fun, but now she's set her sights on developing a career as both a singer and a composer. Her moments in the limelight on nationwide television and on tour have made her much more self-confident. Terry Rowe Enterprises

"On the TV show, I came off as shy, soft-spoken," Velasco said. "But come see the live show; I'm not shy. I dance. I have fun. And I like everything about this tour. We've played big venues, some stadiums, and I'm seeing so much of the United States."

She's even gotten over the butterflies, which translated to shyness during the competitive phase.

"My, how I've grown," she said, surprising herself in the process. In the past three months, she's become "a totally different person."

This self-revelation has expanded her vision of who she is and where she wants to go.

"I think what I've discovered on this tour is that when you travel, you look at your past and where you've been before," said Velasco. "In the past, I never was sure of where I was; now, I've never been so positive. I know where I have to go."

Indeed, growth and opportunity have expanded her outlook as she weighs options in her future career in music.

"I guess it was risk for me to give 'American Idol' a try, because initially, I thought of not doing it," said the raspy-voiced singer who is eager to add "composer" to her bio. "I told myself I had to give it a try, so I'm glad I did."

She has been a struggling composer who really earned her stripes as a performer only after she became a finalist. She was content with waiting tables at her family-owned International House of Pancakes restaurant in Kahului and doing music on the side.

But she has options ahead:

• A number of concerts in the Philippines (including one with La Toya London, one with Jasmine Trias, four or five by herself).

• Additional solo concerts in the United States.

• Movie options (two bids are on the table).

• Recording deals (among those interested in recording her: Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds).

"What's become very evident in my life this year is who are most important in my life," she said. "It's the ones who are always there. Like my family. They've been supporting me since the beginning and during the contest, and they're still with me. So the hardest part, now, is being away on this tour. I miss them dearly."

Camile Velasco starred at a May party in her honor at Dave & Buster's, where dozens of family, friends and well-wishers gathered, and dozens more waited outside in hopes of getting an autograph. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Of all her fellow "Idol" finalists, Velasco has been closest to winner Fantasia Barrino since they shared quarters at The Mansion during the top-10 countdown. "If Fantasia has time, I hope she can visit with me on Maui," said Velasco. "I've invited her ... and she wants to come."

On tour, Velasco has been working on some new music. She can't divulge specifics of her future because she's legally still committed to "American Idol."

"Basically, I'm still under contract until the tour is over," said Velasco. "But we all have something going by ourselves once we're 'free.' We're all eager to pursue our dreams."

Velasco turned 19 on Sept. 1, in Albany, N.Y.

"We had a day off from work, and the next day, we had a show," she said. "At the end, after we performed 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' Fantasia brought out a birthday cake. It was amazing, it was special. A milestone birthday for me."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.