Michael Becker / FOX
With only a little more than 48 hours to go until a new American Idol is crowned, nerves are running high and expectations even higher for a star-studded blowout and a fierce sing-off between finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina. We caught up with the two teen country singers at an Idol press conference Monday afternoon, and they told us winning isn't their first priority.
So how are they prepping for the two biggest days of their lives? Is Scotty going to shave his head? And why is Lauren's toe cocooned in Band-Aids?
It's hard to believe 12 weeks have gone by, but after shocking eliminations, laughs, plenty of tears and controversy, we're down to the final two, and they seem more like BFFs than stiff competition. After making it this far, they admit they would be excited to win, but are no longer looking at it as a competition.
"We're friends. This isn't a competition, we're just singing our hearts out," Scotty told us. "We're both going in full steam ahead." Lauren definitely agreed with her foe friend. "I think whatever is meant to happen will happen. I think if Scotty wins, I'll be happy for him because he's one of my best friends."
Coming from small towns and being thrust into the Hollywood spotlight, Scotty and Lauren have stopped competing and instead, turned to each other for support and to help keep their nerves at bay.
Michael Becker / FOX"It's tough for us because we're both from small towns and nowhere around L.A.," Scotty laughed. "This is all new for us. We just try to stay true to ourselves and stay in our boots. That's what I always tell myself. To stay grounded and just take it one day at a time. We'll see where it leads us."
Lauren added, "You know this place is completely different from where I'm from. I went home and realized how small the buildings are and how everything is like a little dollhouse compared to here. It's such a great experience and I'm so glad to be here."
Even though they seem composed, cool and totally together, they admitted to being nervous, and they're even stressing over little things like, should Scotty shave his head for the finale?
"This has been the biggest thing on my mind," he told us. "Every time I look in the mirror I think, Should I? Should I not? I used to have short hair. That was me and the boys back home. We said, 'Short hair don't care.' I'm torn. If J.Lo cuts it, I might. How many chances do you get to have the most beautiful woman in the world cut your hair? I don't know. I might. Tune in to see. I still don't know."
Lauren has her own image impasse to deal with as well. When asked why her right big toe was swathed in bandages, she jokingly rolled her eyes and said it was because of boy!
"There was this cute guy, and I wasn't paying attention and I was waving, and I didn't see this concrete step, and I face-planted into the concrete and skinned the top of my toe completely," she said. "That's my story. Period."
Regardless of how they look on the Idol finale stage, both are excited to for what's to come.
"We're both country," Scotty said. "I'm going to go in there and try to make a country record. That's what I love. That's what I've grown up with, and if that crosses over, great. But if not, country is what I want to focus on. Country music is hip. Country fans are loyal. They've gotten us here so we owe all of this to them."
Who do you think will be announced as the new American Idol this week? Do you think Scotty should shave his head? Who are you voting for? Let us know in the comments!
Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b243573_scotty_mccreery_on_american_idol_finale.html#ixzz1NHWE0br7
