American Idol's Kristy Lee Cook

It’s been kind of tough being in the bottom three, but I built up a stamina for it, got a little tougher each time, and finally, learned how to control the emotions that were coming from the whole situation.

For this last time, it was definitely nerve-wracking because none of us knew what was going on and how they were separating the groups and sending us over to different sides of the stage - we didn’t know if we were safe.

But it was definitely a shock for me to go home. I wish I wouldn’t have left so soon. I wanted to make top five, but I am happy that Brooke’s still in the competition because she’s one of my best friends.

Lasting Longer Than Simon Thought

I started out kind of weak. I was struggling the first three weeks on being sick, and recovering took a while. I think I outlasted what he thought because I started getting stronger towards the end, and I was getting in the comfort zone of some of the songs that I’ve been used to.

I was starting to come out of the shell and sing the songs that I’m comfortable with and the ones that I knew that I could sing well. He saw that a couple times, and unfortunately, it ended when I had to leave, but I thought my performance was pretty strong this past week, so I’m happy I went out on that note. I was a little disappointed to go this soon because I thought I at least had another week in me.

Being Proposed To On National TV

I had mentioned it to my boyfriend a long time ago about how it would be cool if we ever got married, if he would propose to me on American Idol.