Author: Fred Bronson

Michael Becker / Fox

On Wednesday night, the top 13 American Idol contestants of season 13 were unanimous in telling The Hollywood Reporter that they were not looking forward to the next 24 hours. They all knew that one person in their tight circle was going home on Thursday night even if they didn’t know exactly who it was going to be. But what about the finalist who did exit the show? Kristen O’Connor sat down with THR shortly after her elimination and admitted she was not surprised.

“After my performance last night, I had an idea,” she said candidly. “My performance needed to be the best I’ve ever given and unfortunately it wasn’t. I’m going to look back and be proud of it but it wasn’t what I was hoping for. I wanted to blow everyone away.

“When the judges commented, they gave me some good and some bad critiques. Because I was a wild card, I needed them to tell me it was the best they had ever heard. Since that didn’t happen, I knew there was a chance I was going home. I expected to be in the bottom three and I was praying I wasn’t at the very bottom.”

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 13: Fresh Faces, ‘Harsh’ Harry Connick, Jr. and Jennifer Lopez’s Return

After Ryan Seacrest announced her name, O’Connor sang her “save” song. She had already chosen Adele’s “Turning Tables.” She explains, “I had to sing something I had already sung.” O’Connor could have sung Katy Perry’s “Unconditionally” but she had performed it twice, during Hollywood Week and on Wild Card night. Then there was Kelly Clarkson’s “Beautiful Disaster” from the night before. “If I was going to go out, I wanted it to be with ‘Turning Tables.’ Adele is a legend and I’m connected to the song. I love it.”

Even while singing for her life, O’Connor had had a feeling what the outcome would be. “I didn’t expect the judges to use the save in the first round of the finals. That never happens.”

STORY: ‘American Idol’ Top 13 Night: 8 Things You Didn’t See on TV

Although she hadn’t had much time to think about the future by the time she talked to THR, O’Connor responded immediately when asked what was next for her. “What’s most important to me is to continue singing. I’d love to make an album and tour, but I love acting and I love musicals. If those doors opened up, I’d definitely take advantage. I love this industry and I’m really excited to see where it takes me.”

Earlier in the day, O’Connor had a private conversation with season 12 winner Candice Glover, back in the studio to perform her new single “Cried” on the results show. “We were getting our hair done together, so we talked for a while,” says O’Connor. “She gave me some really good advice on songs for the upcoming weeks. She said I remind her so much of Christina Aguilera, which is such a compliment. She gave me some really good advice. If I had continued on the show I was going to follow it. She said when she was on the show, people pushed her to sing certain songs. She told me, ‘You need to go with your gut.’ That’s some of the best advice that I’m going to take away from this whole experience. It’s so true, the best performances are when you’re being yourself and when you go with your heart.”

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Michael Becker / Fox

“American Idol”

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, does that explain the difference in how they act on the Idol stage?

STORY: ‘American Idol’ Recap: Top 10 Boys Go for Glory

Wednesday marked the boys’ turn to sing on the second live show of American Idol XIII and things inside Stage 36 at CBS Television City weren’t all that similar to that of girls’ night on Tuesday. As always, your faithful Hollywood Reporter Idol worshipper was there to spot the differences.

1. After waiting patiently for hours outside, and then waiting even longer once inside the Idol-dome, audience members are grateful for any activity at all and are eager to applaud the slightest hint that the live show is about to begin. That explains the loud clapping of hands at 4:30 p.m. as a stage manager introduced the judges. Only it wasn’t the actual judges. The part of Keith Urban was played by Tom DeBone, Jennifer Lopez was portrayed by Lori Hall and filling in for Harry Connick Jr. was Larry Toffler. They are the regular stand-ins for the season 13 judges and usually do their work before audience members file into the studio. On Wednesday, they had to do their walk from behind stage to the judges’ desk four times, and each time they did it, the audience applauded louder.

2. Cheers came again at 4:35 p.m. when the 16 male finalists were walked into the audience and seated in the bleachers just a couple minutes after the 15 female finalists were escorted to their seats. They did receive some applause, but not as much as the boys. Their moment in the spotlight was eclipsed by the four rehearsals for the judges’ stand-ins, which were still taking place.

3. There was even more applause at 4:57 p.m. as former judge/current mentor Randy Jackson took his seat among the crowd.

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 13 Ad Campaign Champions the Everyman

4. On Tuesday night, as each of the 10 women walked onto the stage, they remained silent and introspective until they received the stage manager’s cue to begin singing. That pattern was broken immediately by the first male out of the holding room tonight. While his boot camp video was playing, Caleb Johnson began shouting out to the folks in the audience, asking them, “Feelin’ good?” and “Y’all ready?!”

5. Family members of the contestants have special reserved seating in a section of the bleachers so they can cheer on their loved ones. The Hollywood Reporter was seated right behind C.J. Harris’ mother Stephanie and girlfriend Britney, who leapt to their feet when C.J.’s name was announced. Their support wasn’t limited to C.J.; they continued to cheer and stand for the other male contestants as well.

6. Another difference between the men and women: as each new girl took to the stage on Tuesday, the other women remained seated in the new on-stage lounge area. Wednesday was a whole new story, as the guys in the lounge were on their feet right at the edge of their corner of the stage so they could slap hands with each new arrival.

Q&A: ‘American Idol’ Judges Address Persistent Rumors That the Show is Fixed

7. Now that audience members can bring their mobile phones into the arena and are encouraged to use them on commercial breaks, it was a common sight to see warm-up host Cory Almeida taking photos of audience members with their own phones, using the judges or American Idol signage as backgrounds. When Almeida called up three students from San Diego State University on stage to take a photo, he warned them that Jennifer Lopez was photo-bombing them.

8. During the longer commercial breaks, Almeida ran up to the balconies to talk to audience members who were standing high above the stage. An hour into the show, Almeida found a young Connick fan named Kelly who told the warm-up guy, “I think I should go down there and take a picture.” Almeida agreed, escorting the youngster down the stairs, making sure she didn’t run so fast that she would fall. Connick jumped out of his chair and met his fan part-way. She got more than a photo; she received two big hugs from the newest Idol judge.

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Michael Becker / FOX

Ten girls sang and five girls were never called to perform at the first live show of season 13 of American Idol. That’s what you saw on TV. The view from inside Stage 36 at CBS Television City offered another picture.

1. At 4:35 PM the audience spontaneously broke out into screams. The reason? They had eyes on the 16 boy finalists, whose only job tonight was to support their female counterparts. The audience screamed because the male competitors were being escorted to their seats in the bleachers. A lucky few fans ended up sitting right next to these season 13 competitors, as they were spread out over three rows on audience left.

2. A few minutes later, long-time Idol warm-up maestro Cory Almeida was on stage to pump up the audience for the live broadcast. But first he had an important announcement, which shattered 12 years of Idol policy. It’s been a long-standing rule that you are not allowed to bring your mobile hone into the Idol arena. Security folks were employed to confiscate devices until the end of the live shows. But those people have less responsibility this year, as you are now allowed — even encouraged — to have your phone on your person while watching the show. They still don’t want you to have your phone out while the finalists are performing, just on the commercial breaks, when you are welcome to tweet, Instagram or use any social media outlet in your arsenal. Just one caveat from Almeida: don’t tweet any results, so west coast viewers can avoid spoilers.

Q&A: ‘American Idol’ Judges Address Persistent Rumors That the Show is Fixed

3. VIP guests at Idol who have the proper credential are allowed to sit in a visitors’ green room, where an array of delicious catered snacks and hot and cold drinks are served. In the mood for a cappuccino? You’re in the right place. But not this week — the green room has another use, even if temporary. It served as the holding room for the female contestants while they waited for the judges to call their names. Word to the wise: if you’re going to Idol on Wednesday or Thursday, stop at Starbucks first.

4. The new stage configuration allows for the biggest audience ever — 550 people were in the house on Tuesday night, according to Almeida. The “mosh pit” surrounding the stage comes with giant lights that sit on the floor. On the first break, the warm-up man had to warn audience members not to clap too close to the lights — they were creating shadows that put Ryan Seacrest in the dark.

5. The judges were positioned so close to the first row of audience members that fans could easily catch the judges’ attention on commercial breaks. One person asked Keith Urban for an autograph and he looked ready to oblige until he was asked to turn around and pose for a photo with Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. being taken by a Fox still photographer.

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’: Randy Jackson Through the Years

6. It’s not unusual for a group of friends in the audience to shout out their love for a judge or Seacrest. Tonight, a large male chorus of, “I love you Jennifer!” originated from some familiar faces — the 16 male finalists.

7. While it was the girls’ night to sing, the audience was treated to one male performance. On a commercial break, Almeida was interviewing a group of students from Westchester High School (there were 47 of them) when a high schooler named Iziah asked if he could sing. He did well enough that Almeida encouraged him to audition for season 14, and the young man said he would.

8. During the live show, mentor Randy Jackson sat with the boys, but during the commercial breaks he spent most of his time chatting with the judges. The one he spent the most time with? Connick, the only one Jackson had not served on a judging panel with.

Twitter: @fredbronson; @idol_worship