‘American Idol’s’ Candice Glover: ‘I Gave Myself the Talk — If You Go Home, It’s OK’

“I've been wanting this all of my life, so it feels great,” said a beaming Candice Glover after American Idol’s top 3 results show on Thursday.

Still, the 23-year-old St. Helena Island, South Carolina native cracked, she’d spent weeks “practicing my songs for when I get cut. … Just because you have a good week, doesn't mean nobody else did. You can’t just be, like, ‘I did good -- I'm going through.”

But Glover had a very good week, impressing the judges with her vocal chops and ability to connect with songs of varying genres. The only person who’s not happy with her performances is Candice Glover herself. “I didn't like any of them, to be honest,” she told reporters. “I’m a perfectionist and I can always find something that I could’ve done better.”

PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 12 Finalists' Hometown Visits

It made for a somber, reflective morning, as Glove explained: “I woke up and I was, like, ‘Today is a crucial day, but no matter what, you got to the top 3. That's not bad. So make sure you don't be crawling all over the stage crying if you go home tonight. It's OK.’ I gave myself the talk, if you go home, it's alright. … So I was definitely surprised. Did you see me run?”

At the same time, Glover says she was equally thrown to learn that Angie Miller was being sent home. “I was shocked because I was going through this whole thing, like, 'Angie is going to win. She has an amazing voice she has the personality.' … I'm gonna miss her so much because she brought the sunshine. She's taught me how to be more energetic and more into what I'm doing. She's super talented and will be at the top of the charts by next year.”

STORY: 'American Idol': Why Candice Glover Should Win

Glover had equally warm things to say about Kree Harrison, who she said was “also amazing.”

Less than a week from the finale, Glover is planning to dive into her songs for the big season closer. “I’m mentally and musically preparing myself and digging deep into my songs,” she said. But first: “I need eight hours of sleep.”

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Shirley Halperin