'Idol' Chat: Nicole Tranquillo recounts her trip to the Top 24
Peter Mucha
[Inquirer online writer]: Nicole, congratulations on making
American Idol
's Top 24. What are your feelings about the whole experience, looking back?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Thank you so much! Basically looking back I just feel very proud and honored to have been a part of something so huge like
American Idol
. I had a blast and made great connections and great friends!
Peter Mucha:
Are you still in touch with any of the contestants?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Yes! I keep in touch with Sabrina on a regular basis. She and I became very close. I think she's going to be flying out to my graduation in May actually! I talk with Sundance a lot too, as well as AJ and Alaina. My roommate from Hollywood Week, Sarah Krueger, and I became very close as well. She was actually going to fly out to Philly to visit and audition again, but she had to cancel last minute.
Peter Mucha:
So you're graduating! With a vocal degree? You took time off from school to be on the show ... was it tough to go back and get back into going to school?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Yes, I'm entering my senior year at The University of the Arts as a Vocal Performance major, and I'll be graduating in May with my Bachelors in Jazz Vocal Performance. I did have to take the spring semester off to do the show. So, I haven't been back yet, but I can't wait for the fall semester to start next week!
samantha:
I noticed that you went to Memphis to try out. Do people really travel that far to try out?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Yes, people really do travel that far to try out, haha! Crazy, isn't it?
Peter Mucha:
How did you like the University of the Arts?
Nicole Tranquillo:
I LOVE The University of the Arts! It is the BEST school! I couldn't have picked a better college to attend! It's great because I am completely surrounded by the arts at all times, so I couldn't be happier.
Peter Mucha:
What are your plans for after college?
Nicole Tranquillo:
After I graduate with my Bachelors, I plan to get my Masters Degree in Jazz Studies at The University of the Arts. The Masters program is only one extra year, so with that degree, I'll be able to teach at a college level if I choose to. ... Then I plan to completely focus on my singing career. Record, tour, perform ... all that good stuff. And teach on the side if I want to.
samantha:
I was wondering what inspired you to try out in the first place? Was it for just for fun?
Nicole Tranquillo:
What inspired me to try out for
American Idol
was all my family and friends who encouraged me and believed in me that I could do it. Mostly I was doing it just for fun. I really didn't expect anything. I knew that I had school to go back to. But each time I kept making it past the rounds, I thought, "Wow! This could really happen!"
MCK:
Have you performed in public since
Idol
?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Yes, I have performed a lot in public since
Idol
, haha! It's what I do, so being back from
Idol
has just given me more opportunities to perform.
Peter Mucha:
Any professional gigs? Weren't you part of a band?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Yes, I have a band called Soulschool that I sing in. We have a rapper in the group too, and then of course the instrumentalists. So, right now we're in the process of trying to record our demo and really get our name out there. However, I'm also focusing on my solo career as well.
MCK:
Do you get recognized a lot?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Haha, yeah sometimes. But that's not really what matters to me. It's kind of funny though when it happens!
Philip:
How long did you have to wait to audition and what did you do to prepare before you were called to perform?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Well, the audition process is VERY long. Basically you wait in line for hours just to register. Then you go back, wait even longer to audition, go back the next day and audition again, and then finally about two days later you get to audition in front of the judges. To prepare before my audition, I just stayed focused and didn't try to think about it too much. You have to remember to have fun with it. I just kind of stayed in my own little world.
Peter Mucha:
What other advice would you give to people? Any things to avoid?
Nicole Tranquillo:
My advice is to just stay calm, breathe, and have FUN! Don't get all caught up in what other people sound like or what they're wearing or what they look like. None of that matters. What matters is that you're doing something you love -- singing. Basically just sing your heart out and perform like you never have before. I would avoid just getting caught up in the wrong stuff. Just have fun with it, and most importantly, BE YOURSELF!
Peter Mucha:
Seriously, were you able to stay calm? A lot of people would be having the flop sweats thinking this could make or break their only shot at fame and glory.
Nicole Tranquillo:
Haha. Yes, I was able to stay calm. I think the reason I was able to do so was because I'm so used to singing all the time and performing in front of huge crowds. I sing all the time, and being that I'm a voice major, I'm used to constant constructive criticism from teachers. So for me, I just thought of it as, "OK, I'm just singing at school in front of my teachers, that's all." I think the thing that a lot of people get wrong is they think, "OMG this is my only chance, ever!" That is not true at all.
American Idol
does not make or break you. It's simply an opportunity. It doesn't meant that you'll never have another chance at a singing career.
Peter Mucha:
Talk a little bit more about music. What kind of songs do you love to perform? Do you do any songwriting?
Nicole Tranquillo:
I mostly sing R&B, Jazz, and Soul. But I really love to sing ANYTHING, haha. Yes, I do a lot of songwriting! My band Soulschool and I, we all contribute in the writing process. I always write all of my own lyrics and vocal melodies. And for my solo stuff, I write everything, or if I collaborate, I write the lyrics and vocal melody. I truly love performing with hip hop artists and doing the whole hip hop/r&b thing. For me it's really refreshing ... hip hop music is a big part of me.
Peter Mucha:
Any friends planning to try out here? Are you counseling anybody? Planning to go and see the fuss?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Haha. As far as I know, none of my friends are planning to try out. I'm really busy with a bunch of stuff, so, no, I won't be attending the auditions.
Peter Mucha:
Any impressions you can share of your fellow contestants from last season? Any "most memorable" moments?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Yeah, definitely. Let's see ... well I became good friends with Antonella, who unfortunately got some bad press while filming the show. What a lot of people didn't know about her is that she is HYSTERICAL. She is so funny! I was laughing all the time when I was around her. And Blake and I bonded a lot because we're into the same type of music ... the whole underground hip hop thing is something we really bonded on. I'd say the most memorable moments were just performing on the
American Idol
stage, meeting and talking with the judges, and just getting to hang out with all the contestants. We really became a family.
Peter Mucha:
C'mon, just between you and me, was Paula, like, you know, tipsy at times? And is there anything between her and Simon?
Nicole Tranquillo:
They will always be very dear to my heart.
Peter Mucha:
Who? Paula and Simon?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Haha, well them too, but I meant the contestants. And NO! Paula was and is NEVER tipsy! I wish people would get off her back about that. It's so not true! And no, nothing between her and Simon, haha. Simon has a girlfriend ... she's really sweet actually. She interviewed me and had the nicest things to say about me. I really love Paula. She is such a great person and she is so encouraging of everyone.
Peter Mucha:
Were you surprised that Jordin Sparks won?
Nicole Tranquillo:
No not really. She's young, fun, and has a lot of energy. So no, I wasn't really surprised.
Peter Mucha:
Who did you think would win, though? Most people thought Melinda, although other people had great weeks, too.
Nicole Tranquillo:
To be honest, I never had time to watch the show once I got back so I never really knew how people did or what they sounded like. I kind of just played catch-up with the show through the internet. So, I never really had an idea of who would win because unfortunately I wasn't able to watch it.
Peter Mucha:
Thanks, Nicole, for chatting today. One last question: Did you take a lot of photographs of your time on the show? Any one that you'll most cherish?
Ya know, I'm still kicking myself because I left my camera in Philly while I was out there. So, unfortunately I didn't get to take any pictures, but I do have a lot of pics on my computer that I was able to get from the producers.
Peter Mucha:
Any shoutouts or additional thoughts you'd like to share?
Nicole Tranquillo:
Hmmm ... well I always love shoutouts, haha. So yeah, a very special shoutout to all my fans and everyone that supported me during my time on
American Idol
... it truly means a lot! And also just to reinforce this to everyone that's planning to audition- Relax, be yourself, and have FUN!
Peter Mucha:
'Nuff said. That note's a great place to end it.
Nicole Tranquillo:
Awesome. Thanks so much!