Q&A with McKinney"s Own American Idol Hollie Cavanagh

contributed by: MicheleStevensB...

by Michele Stevens Bernard

TSB Staff Writer

TSB: Tell us a little about yourself,

HOLLIE: I've lived in McKinney for 10 years. We moved here from Liverpool, England, where I am originally from.

TSB: Your voice is amazing. Where did you learn to sing like that?

HOLLIE: Thank you so much. I’m actually not quite sure where I got my voice. I was asked by one of my friends to sing with her in school and after I did, I then realized I could hold a tune! But, it’s quite random because nobody in my family sings! So, I take it as just being blessed.

TSB: Have you always attended McKinney schools?

HOLLIE: Yes. When I first moved here I attended Glen Oaks. Then I went to Dowell Middle School and now I attend McKinney Boyd.

TSB: Any programs or teachers you’d like to give a shout out to?

HOLLIE: Of course! My Vocal Coach Chloe Colman and all my school teachers for being supportive and patient with my school work! And any event that gives me the opportunity to perform for them.

TSB: What would you like to tell us about your family?

HOLLIE: I have two brothers Aaron and Luke and my parents, Peter and Lorraine. The rest of my family lives in England. All of my family are very supportive and encourage me to pursue my dream.

TSB: Senior Year! What would you like to say about that?

HOLLIE: I can’t believe I’m in my last year of High School! It’s crazy, scary and very exciting to think about. I am so ready to graduate but the time has just flown by. I’m excited to see what will happens next!

TSB: Lady. Bronco. Soccer. State Champs! Tell us about your soccer experience.

HOLLIE: I've played soccer for all four years now and it’s been great. I love the girls and have had many fun and crazy times. Unfortunately I haven’t played much this year because I was away with [American] Idol, but it’s still a joy to be on the team and there for support. Coach Lankford has been very supportive and understanding just as well as the rest of the coaches and the soccer girls.

TSB: Favorite classes? Favorite teachers?

HOLLIE: I love being in my anatomy class with Coach Galyon. The funny thing is, Anatomy used to my worst class.  It wasn’t something I looked forward to, but now I love it. You learn a lot of interesting things and Coach Galyon makes it fun and jokes around with us all so it’s not just a boring class.

TSB: Who inspires you?

HOLLIE: Music-wise, Mariah Carey inspires me. As a young girl trying to make it into the music industry, I would love to make it as big as Mariah. I love her music and the way every song has a meaning and a story. I would love to inspire people through music just like Mariah does for me.  Family-wise, I would have to say all of my family. Everyone affects me in their own way to push me to become a better artist. My brother Luke, is probably the one who inspires me the most, because he is the one who is with me in my room for hours practicing songs and helping me find different places to sing. He probably believes in me more than I do myself.

TSB: Just how many songs are on your IPOD?

HOLLIE:[laughs!] I don’t think I could even begin to count how many songs I have! I just know it is A LOT! I love listening to many different types of music and many different artists.

TSB: We understand you are singing at the Women's Alliance of McKinney’s Chef Challenge on April 28th?

HOLLIE: Yes! I’m very excited to sing for them. The McKinney Performing Arts Center has been very kind and helpful to me by allowing me to sing at different events for them. They are helping me get my name out there a little bit more, for which I’m very thankful and excited.  Also, I will be opening for Lukas Nelson on April 19th, and performing at Relay for Life on the April 29th. I’ll also be doing McKinney’s Red White and BOOM on July 4th.

TSB: What’s next for you? Summer plans?  College?

HOLLIE: Right now, I’m performing at any place I can get. I plan on trying out for more talents shows and maybe American Idol again but we will just have to see what happens. For the summer, I think I will try and get any summer gigs that I can. I already have a wedding I will be performing at, so I’m excited for that.
For University, I will be attending Collin College. I plan on trying out for another show, maybe X factor, so, I’m going to stay home, attend college and focus on my music.

TSB: American Idol. Can you talk about your experience yet?

HOLLIE: Yes, I can finally talk! Being on the show was an amazing experience. It has opened so many doors. It made me believe in myself and pushed me harder to achieve my dream. Walking into my first audition in Austin was very scary. For as long as I’ve been singing people have told me I am good, but on A.I, I was surrounded by thousands of people who were told the same thing! It was a bit intimidating.

When I walked into the audition room with the judges, after getting passed the multiple [preliminary] rounds, I was a bit lost on what to sing. I knew I only had one shot. When I sang “At Last” by Etta James, I suddenly realized that I had just blown it. All the emotion just got to me as all of America saw. I just broke down. So, I was very thankful to get a second shot and was very thankful to Jennifer [Lopez] for believing in me.

Hollywood Week was one of the craziest two weeks of my life! It was so stressful, but so much fun. I enjoyed and learned so much. After I got through Hollywood Week, the numbers got lower, so I started getting closer to the contestants. I really started learning a lot from them, and got to know them.

All in all, the experience was great and Idol has helped me a lot. I grew so much as a person and as an artist. My favorite moments were getting to meet the people and being around so many other artists who share the same dream I do. My favorite moment was performing on the Beatles stage in Las Vegas. That was a crazy experience for me! Then, being able to watch the show was amazing. Growing up in Liverpool, England where the Beatles are from was icing on the cake!

TSB: It appeared on television, that Jennifer Lopez took a special interest in you. What did you learn from her?

HOLLIE: [laughs!] Well, I hope she did!  It was amazing to have Jennifer believe in me throughout the whole thing. Every time I made another round, I wanted to do better and better so I could show Jennifer that she made the right choice in giving me that second chance. When I got cut before the top 24, Jennifer said things to me I never would have expected. Hearing her tell me that I could win next year and that she thinks I had one of the best voices was something I will never forget. It also makes me want to work hard so I can make her proud in a way and thank her for supporting me through Idol.

TSB: What was your Idol take-away?

HOLLIE: I have a lot more confidence on stage and I don’t get as nervous anymore. Idol taught me that I do have the talent to achieve my dream and that I need to work hard and prove that I am ready.

TSB: Thank you for your time, Hollie. Final question…We’re thinking Casey. Thoughts?

HOLLIE: I love Casey ! I think he is so different. I love the way he carries himself and his voice, of course. I also love Hailey. I love the grunt she has in her voice. I have no idea who will win though. Things go crazy sometimes and anything could happen. Everyone in the competition is amazing. I wish them all the best of luck!

Thank you so much for interviewing me, and of course, it was my pleasure. GO BRONCOS!!