PARK CITY, Utah -- Season 13 of “American Idol” is just beginning, even though it’s been a week since both Utah contestants were sent home.
FOX 13 News sat down with Austin Wolfe and Kenzie Hall to talk about their experience and their final night on the show.
Park City’s Austin Wolfe said the experience has only motivated her more to reach for a career in music.
Swap the glitz, glam, bright lights and cameras of “American Idol” for the regular routine of school, family and friends, and music on her terms. Austin said being off the show and back home is taking some getting used to.
“The whole experience is really going to be missed, so it’s kind of a bittersweet feeling being home,” she said.
We last saw Austin in what was called “The Chamber,” waiting, hoping, to hear her name so she could sing for American’s votes, but the cards weren’t in her favor last Tuesday night.
“I think we were all a little bit mad and sad and confused about five people not being able to sing and the fact that we didn’t know who it was and that we’d put so much practice into it, but I think we all just had to push forward and look at the bright side that we got this chance to have an amazing experience so in the end you can’t be that mad about it,” she said.
With her head held high, Austin chalks it all up to hands-on training.
“If I’m going to have a future in the music industry I’m going to have to get used to disappointment and rejection, so this really is kind of preparing me for what I’m going to have to deal with in the future,” she said.
Austin said she does have her sights set on a career in music. What her signature “soulful pop” sound will be is still music in the making.
She said: “I’m working with a songwriting coach and my vocal coach a bunch, and we’re going to put out as much as we can and as soon as we’re allowed to release it we’re going to and hopefully it’ll kind of project the image that I’ve been carrying in the past and maybe it’ll change. Who knows?”
What Austin does know is that the exposure and support has been amazing.
“A girl was like ‘Hey, are you Austin Wolfe from American Idol? Can I get a picture with you?’ and I was like ‘Yes!’ It was really a surreal experience,” she said.
Music and life lessons aside, Austin said she’s made a friend for life in fellow contestant Kenzie Hall from doing the show.
“That hug was real,” she said. “As soon as I saw her I was like, ‘Oh my God, I made it’ and ran up to her. Yeah, we became really good friends and I know that will last for a long time.”
It won’t be the last fans will see of Austin, as she’s already gotten calls to perform shows locally.
