Janelle Arthur’s American Idol road has been a long one -- some 12 years to be exact. The 23-year-old Tennessee native has been watching the Fox show since day one.
So it was fitting that her final night came featured vocal powerhouse Fantasia, since the season three winner inspired so many female singers to just go for it.
PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 12: The Top 10 Finalists
And Arthur did every step of the way, flavoring country classics with her sweet drawl and always creative reinterpretations. And she didn’t always have it easy with the judges, as she tells Hollywood Reporter special Idol correspondent -- and season 10 finalist -- Casey Abrams.
It turns out the two go back -- all the way to Austin, Texas where they both auditioned for the show in 2010 but only one made it through … then. The rest, as they say, is Idol history.
Watch Janelle Arthur’s not-so-somber “Last Words” interview above.
Twitter: @Idol_Worship; @IAmCaseyAbrams
