"I really was surprised. I wasn't expecting (the dismissal) so much," said Gina Glocksen, who is still in California. "I was pretty secure with myself. I gave two pretty solid performances and the last thing on my mind was to be in the bottom three, let alone the bottom two."
Dismissal shocks Gina, fans
Glocksen tells The Sun about her post-'Idol' plans
By MIKE MITCHELL Naperville Sun
Even when Gina Glocksen was standing among the bottom three Wednesday night on "American Idol," she had no idea she was going home.
The Tinley Park native and current Naperville resident couldn't hide her emotions and apparent disappointment after show host Ryan Seacrest announced she had not received enough votes to advance to the final eight.
But Glocksen said in a phone interview Thursday with The Sun that she felt "secure" even while standing next to contestant Haley Scarnato in the bottom two.
"I really was surprised. I wasn't expecting (the dismissal) so much," said Glocksen, who was still in California. "I was pretty secure with myself. I gave two pretty solid performances and the last thing on my mind was to be in the bottom three, let alone the bottom two."
It was the first time Glocksen had been lumped into the bottom three. The 22-year-old had impressed judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul singing "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin on Tuesday night and gave a knockout rendition of "I'll Stand By You" by "The Pretenders" in the previous week that had national media raving about her.
So Glocksen couldn't explain why she was voted off the show.
Audience members began to boo when it was announced that Glocksen was headed home, and her fellow contestants began to weep on camera. Glocksen said it was difficult to watch the video dedicated to her after she had been voted off.
"It was hard enough then, and it's harder to watch the video right after they announced it," she said. "To watch how I talked about singing and seeing how I talked then ... I just love singing. I know that no matter what I do, I've already done 'American Idol.'"
Glocksen said she is planning to return Tuesday to Naperville and is looking forward to meeting with her new fans. She also said she plans on leaving Naperville and moving to Los Angeles to pursue a singing career but didn't specify when.
Still, Glocksen said she is getting over Wednesday night and isn't bitter about her dismissal.
Meanwhile, lesser talents such as Sanjaya Malakar, Phil Stacey and Scarnato have survived another round. And that frustrates Glocksen's former co-workers at Daniel Bodine Dentistry in Worth.
"Everyone is upset," said Sally Ann Bodine, who worked with Glocksen for about three years. "We all cried. We're sort of like 'you really can't believe that it happened.' It doesn't make sense."
Bodine said more than 30 of her clients had called the office Thursday wanting to talk about Glocksen and the show. Many of her clients, she said, vowed to never watch "Idol" again. She said it was a somber day at the office.
"It's almost like someone died here," said former co-worker Kim Pierzchalski.
"It's just sad because I can't figure out why she would go before some of the others," said former co-worker Angel Sherlund. "My 6-year-old daughter was crying all night, and she even asked, 'How come Sanjaya won? He's terrible.'"
Glocksen said she would continue to watch the show and vote for some of the other candidates.
"It's not in my character to really feel bitter," Glocksen said. "It is what it is. I've gotten over (Wednesday) night ... and I look forward to meeting my new fans."
April 6, 2007
Gina,
My kids and I were very shocked and sorry to see you go from Idol. My opinion? The voters need to be more realistic. They need to vote based on your talent, and that's why I think that you should still be there! Good luck to you!
I'd just like to wish Gina the best in whatever she decides to do. I hope she continues to pursuse a career in music because she has an awesome voice. I'll miss seeing her on American Idol. Good job, Gina, you should be proud of yourself. BTW, hope to see you on stage at Ribfest and The Last Fling. \m/
gina my name is chad thomas i hav bein watchin american idol for two years now i was so shocked&mad y got voted out wednesday nite y r way better than san jaya&haley i had y&melinda to win it all on american idol i thought it wood it bein haley got voted out wednesday nite i am one f urs biggest fans on american idol if you made a cd i wood bye one bec u r so awesome gina i am a handicapped&a dwarf person i just want to say good luck to y n the future&maybe i wood love to meet y in person gina
thanks
chad thomas
Gina,
You are so awesome! I loved you throughout idol and i was amazed by your voice every single week.When i saw the show and when Ryan said that you were goig home i was so upset.
I cried.
The show is not going to be the same without you, Gina.
I cant wait for a record from you! ill be one of the first to purchase!
God Bless.
*~Hannah~*
Gina,
I was crying when you were kicked off. I was in total shock. I still just don't understand it. People need to vote seriously. I felt so much pain for you. I could tell how much you loved being up on that stage.
I wish you the best in your future music carrer and want to congratulate you on the success you have had. Being there I'm sure was a life changing experience and you should feel very proud of yourself. So many other people are.
Only the best,
Anne
Gina~
We just wanted you to know that we have loved your singing and personality from the first time we saw you sing. We have watched as you have transformed from the catfight singer you were to the rocker chick we love now. Dont change! Good luck and we will be watching for your first cd to come out. Your faithful fans~ Paul and Esther