Entertainment

‘IDOL’ Q&AS

The Post caught up with the last seven of the “American Idol” finalists to see what they had to say about making it into the first-ever Top 13.

Lil Rounds got her start singing in Church and got her name (yes, it really is Lil) from her grandmother. Friends at home have begun calling Lil “The American Idol Mama” because she has three kids – 5, 3 and 2 years old – at home with writer husband.

“I’ve remained Lil from the beginning and I’m going to continue you know to remain Lil, but I’m going to give you guys something to look forward to,” says Rounds, who named Stevie Wonder as her dream mentor. “I think you’re going to enjoy it.”

Scott MacIntyre fancies himself quite the dancer and has even taken up Salsa and Tango lessons.

“I’m going to try to come back each week and give the best performance as I possibly can.

“I mean they can throw whatever they want at me. You know I’ll deal with it.”

As for the other contestants, MacIntyre says he is thankful for their friendship. “They’ve been really great about stepping in and helping out.”

Jorge Nunez got his start singing in a choir and was majoring in comparative literature in college when he auditioned for Idol (he also had dreams of being a lawyer, but has since put that goal on hold). In addition to Spanish and English, Nunez also speaks French and says that his ideal mentor would be Britney Spears.

As for his “Idol” highlight, the likeable Nunez received a text message from Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez telling him he has their support. He says the text was “the best think that has ever happened to me throughout this whole journey.”

“I feel really happy to be representing my country and you know showing the talent that we have to offer,” says Nunez.

Jasmine Murray, who is so young she has to attend school during the competition, began at pageants, even singing for the Miss American competition.

“I hope that I get to be there at the end, so I’m just praying,” says Murray, who can’t wait to try her voice at country and rock. “I’m believing, you know, that I can do it, and I’m just going to keep on practicing and doing my best.”

Anoop Desai – dubbed Anoop-“dawg” by judge Randy Jackson, was the last to make the cut as lucky number 13. Desai has a degree in political science and American studies and is currently doing his graduate work in folklore. His dad, who works in software, was born in India and his mom, a biochemist, was born in South Africa of Indian descent. Anoop imagines himself a contemporary R&B artist that collaborates with rappers.

“I’ve been telling people it was the difference between having all your dreams dashed and then, ten seconds later, they’re alive again, so it was definitely, I mean, it was a shock,” says Desai. “It was a genuine shock for me, and I’m just glad that I’m still here.”

Quirky dancer Megan Corkrey names Bjork as her favorite artist. Corkrey is her ex-husband’s name, which is why she plans on going with Megan Joy as a professional name. The young mom, who says that she would love to lean to play the guitar or piano, bears seven tattoos, including one of a castle on her arm.

“It’s my fairytale,” says Corkrey. “There’s a king and a queen, and that’s me and who knows. And then there’s a fairy godmother, my mom, a wizard, my brother, and a prince, my son. And then there’s roses growing up the castle.”

Matt Giraud is happy he can sing because, he claims, he can’t play sports. Giraud, nicknamed “white Alicia Keys” or “white chocolate” by his friends, says Billy Joel is his dream mentor since the soulful singer is all about the blues.

“People would encourage me and say, I like the way you play,” says Giraud about learning how to play the piano on his own. “It was just strictly passion.”

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