WESTFIELD-“That’s all folks!”
With that Facebook post at 10:33 p.m. on Monday night, Madison Curbelo thanked everyone who had supported her during her journey trying out for American Idol.
Westfield resident Madison Curbelo answers questions from American Idol judges during “Hollywood Week.” (Submitted photo)
Curbelo, 17, who attends Westfield High School, said she had an “amazing experience” at American Idol’s “Hollywood Week” despite the fact it was the end of her journey with the show.
“I am so glad to have gotten the opportunity and get an inside look at all of the craziness that goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “I met so many wonderful people it was so interesting to meet other people who share the same passion for music as I do.”
Curbelo said during her last performance she sang “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley.
“I chose it because it is a song that I hold so near and dear to my heart,” said Curbelo. “My dad and I love this song and it was the first song that I learned to play for him. Every time I sing it I dedicate it to him, and that’s exactly what I did for the show.”
Curbelo is the daughter of Elizabeth and Luis Curbelo.
Curbelo noted that when she told the judges the song title, Lionel Richie remarked “wow.”
“I think that was because he wasn’t expecting someone my age to know a song like that by such a legendary artist like Bob Marley,” said Curbelo, adding that while she was singing, she heard a few encouraging shouts from the crowd when she hit a high note.
“When I finished Lionel Richie yelled out an excited ‘woo!,” and started clapping for me very loudly,” said Curbelo. “Katy Perry was dancing along to my singing and Luke Bryan smiled and turned to the others with a happy expression. This was so amazing for me.”
While Curbelo’s journey ended after American Idol’s “Hollywood Week” which had aired Sunday and Monday nights on ABC, she is upbeat and ready for her next musical challenge.
“I am so happy to have had this experience and no matter what, I know that I did my absolute best and I feel that everyone there knew it too,” she said, adding, “A lot of kind parents and backstage crew from the show came up to me with words of encouragement and some of them were shocked that I didn’t progress but I am very content with all that happened. I feel that I made myself and all of my family and friends so proud.”
Curbelo said after her time with the judges, she hugged her mother and said this experience was not the end.
“I looked into the camera for my last interview and said, ‘This is not the last time you will see Madison Curbelo,’ and I stand by that 100 percent.”
In the coming months, Curbelo said she will now set her sights – and spend time – in a recording studio.
“Thank you to everyone for the support and love during this journey,” she said. “I hope that everyone sticks by me and continues to look out for my original music coming very soon.”
