Q&A: "Idol" finalist Mercado eyes bigger stage

By Fred Bronson

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Syesha Mercado, who has sung everything from the Beatles' "Yesterday" to Fantasia Barrino's "I Believe," is the last woman standing among the Season 7 "American Idol" final four. In this exclusive interview, the 21-year old from Sarasota, Florida, discusses her musical family and the lessons she's learned while doing the Fox show.

Q: When did you start watching "American Idol?"

Syesha Mercado: I started watching the show the first year, when Kelly Clarkson won. After that, I watched on and off because I was too busy learning lines (in performing arts classes) and doing school activities. I was a really, really busy person. I've always been that way, and I think I will always be.

Q: What are some of the lessons you've learned doing "Idol?"

Mercado: To relax, because sometimes I can be a perfectionist and I can rehearse to the point where it's not a good thing. Sometimes you need to relax and enjoy the moment. I've stressed myself out so much that I take out all of the excitement out of the entire process. I can't even enjoy myself because I'm so worried about things that I shouldn't be worried about. I've learned to trust my voice and trust that I can do things. You know, I don't have to overwork myself because it can all happen naturally. It can all fall into place the way it's supposed to if I let go and relax.

Q: What have you learned about the music industry while doing the show?

Mercado: One of our vocal coaches told us this is star school. She told me that when I walk out on that stage, walk out like a star. And sometimes I haven't walked out there like a star, and it shows. I know after I'm done, "I didn't walk out there like a star" only because I was letting those thoughts in my head just get to me and stressing out instead of taking a deep breath and doing what I came here to do: open my mouth and sing. So I've learned how much hard work goes into (this). You don't really get a break. It's just constant, constant, constant, constant. You really have to work for what you want. You have to memorize your stuff, and there's a fine line between doing what you need to do and going out there and trusting and then overdoing it, overworking.

Q: Was there anyone in your family who was musical? When did you first become aware of music as a child?

Mercado: My mom is a singer, and she used to be a backup singer for Pops Staples and Motown. She used to have her own band a long time ago. She loved to do theater, loved to do just activities in school. I followed the same route as her musically, but she chose to live a normal life and raise a family and be a wife.

I was first aware of music as a little, little, little girl. I was 2, and my mom said I was singing. I was holding a tune, and then when I was 4, I had my first solo in church. I sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."

I remember standing there like a stick, still as ever, just singing my heart out and feeling nervous. I held the mike up as close to my mouth as I could and I sang, and then my next solo was "When God Is in the Building." I joined choir in church and in school.

Q: What's your vision for your career?

Mercado: I want to take on many different projects. After this, I want to work on an album. I definitely want to collaborate with different artists and make a great album to give back to the world, to share my music with the world and touch people because so many people are touched by just this whole "American Idol" experience. (I want to) star in a Broadway show. I want to star in a movie and I want to win a Grammy and an Oscar.

And a Tony. That's one of my new goals. And I want to start foundations. I really, really want to do that. I think the biggest part of being famous is not just about wearing a pretty dress and "I'm singing at this place, I'm singing at that place." It's really about helping people. I mean, my life hasn't always been easy. I've been through things in my life and I know what it's like, so I want to help people less fortunate than me. I definitely want to donate to different foundations like the Lupus Foundation; My sister has lupus.

Q: Are you looking forward to touring the U.S. with "Idols Live" this summer?