Booted American Idol contestant Michael Johns chatted with reporters Friday, following his unexpected ouster Thursday night. USA TODAY listened in on the conference call.
Q: What thoughts were going on in your head while you were performing last night?
A: That's just it, I wasn't thinking, I just was feeling. I'm glad that came across. … I would be lying to say I wasn't shocked. I hadn't been in the bottom three and I thought definitely the last two to three weeks have been my strongest. But we're in this competition and stuff can happen and it did (chuckles).
Q: For inspiration week, when you saw everyone else was singing ballads, did you think singing a rock song would be an advantage?
A: I've never chosen a song based on what the competition is doing. It's like I pick songs that mean something to me, lyrically and emotionally. So to sing Dream On by Aerosmith with a 20-piece orchestra, it's amazing.
Q: No regrets on song choice this week, then?
A: Absolutely no regrets at all, mate.
Q: Which performance turned out the most like you planned?
A: It's All Wrong But It's All Right, definitely the Dolly week, turning the country song into a soul song. That's my niche. I'm just sad I'm not going to get to do any more of it.
Q: Which song were you planning to do for Mariah Carey week?
A: A really cool blues/soul version of Vision of Love. It was hot, too, so I'm a little bummed.
Q: How was it working with Dolly Parton?
A: Absolutely amazing. I got to speak to her this morning, and she was just saying what a fan of mine she was. It's just so surreal to hear Dolly Parton saying that, "I can't wait to sing a duet with you one day." That's just awesome.
Q: What did you really think about Simon Cowell's comments?
A: I respect his opinion, but he wanted me to sing that soul/blues stuff, like, every week, but you can't. I'm a rock/soul singer; I like to do both genres so I wasn't just going to necessarily pan toward what the judges said. You have to go out and say, "This is the kind of record I want to make and this is the sound I do."
Q: Ryan Seacrest gave a cruel twist last night, mentioning how last year for Idol Gives Back, they didn't vote anyone off. How do you feel about that?
A: I get the television aspect of this competition. It was tough because I thought, "OK, I'm going home," and then they said that and I'm like, "Oh, wait a second, I'm not going home, maybe they're just having good laugh," and I hadn't been in bottom three before, so I was thinking that was a possibility. But then reality set in and Ryan gave me look as if to say, "Look, I am so sorry I had to do that to you." You know, you get it; you're in this business, so you get it. I don't hold it against Ryan or anything.
Q: There have been some comparisons with Chris Daughtry and being eliminated before your time. Do you see yourself as the Daughtry of this season?
A: I've been hearing that a bunch this morning. What an honor. Chris is an amazing artist and a great guy above that. I've talked to him a few times, so to be put in that category, I have nothing but good things to say.
Q: What do Australians do to drown their sorrows?
A: (Laughs.) We're a pretty big beer-drinking country so that's probably what I'll be doing here in a bit.
Q: Have you heard from other people, like record companies or celebs?
A: Yeah, I got a reach-out from Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman saying I was their favorite and they watched every week. It's amazing how far this show reaches. It's insane.
Q: Do you think your ascots that you wore two weeks in a row had anything to do with getting the least amount of votes?
A: No, it was a fun outfit, it was time to step it up a little bit stylistically and I went for it. No regrets there.
Q: Anything you want to say to fans?
A: It's been overwhelming; I've been getting letters, flowers, gifts. Just thank you and see you on tour. I'm going to give you guys a good record by next year.
Q: After the show, what did judges say to you?
A: Paula grabs me and goes, "Look, I have no doubt in my mind that I'm going to a concert you're doing one day. You're super-talented." Randy gave me, "Dawg, I can't wait to see what you do with your career." Simon told America that they're going to miss me and I'm a good guy — hearing you're a good guy from Simon, that's really cool.
Q: Was your wife there the entire time?
A: Yeah, and if you look back at last night's footage, just before I'm about to sing, when it started to sink in, I look over to her and she mouthed, "I love you" to me. And you see me take this big breath and I clicked into performance mode and sucked it up and tried to do my best. She's really special.
Q: Did you hear the booing in the audience last night?
A: Yeah, I definitely was aware of it. It was pretty loud in there. It just gave me solace that I struck a nerve with a lot of people. It made me feel really special. It shows you no one's safe. The public can think week to week, "Oh, they did a good performance, they're coming off of a good run, I'm going to vote for someone else who maybe didn't have as good a night." You just have to vote for your favorite.
Q: Where did you get the Dolly T-shirt from (that Johns wore on elimination night during Dolly week)?
A: We were backstage getting dressed, and one of the stylists hung up this vintage Dolly Parton T-shirt on the door as a gag, so I said, "What is that? Can I wear it?" and he goes, "No it's just a gag." And I go, "Oh, no, I'm going on TV and wearing that." Just tried to lighten up a little bit. And Simon gave me a look to say, "Man, you are crazy." It was all worth it.
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MJ interivew:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/ne...liminated_N.htm
Awwww... He and Chris talked more than once!
Ha ha ha, Michael looks like he's happy now. So maybe fans should be happy too! 
Thank you Alyssa! 