American Idol Fan Site | Who got voted off American Idol

Interview with Trenyce Cobbins
By Jessica P. Wallin

Trenyce is the soulful 5th finalist from American Idol’s second season. Here, she talks with me about how to stay grounded, psychotic fans, and Simon Cowell’s dishonesty.

What makes you unique?

What makes me, me is my energy. I love to laugh, but I am also not afraid to show my vulnerable side. I am harder on myself than others are on me. I struggle with the insecurity of not being good enough for everyone that I love. I love hard and like for everyone to be satisfied. I am confident about my singing and acting, but not to the point that it offends others. What makes me stick out in a crowd is probably my face. I think I just have one of those “faces” that is memorable or that everyone thinks they know someone that looks like me. (laughs)

What were your first thoughts when you auditioned for American Idol? How is it like/unlike what viewers see on T.V.?

My first thoughts were that it was a show more like Star Search. I grew up watching Star Search and I figured that this could be my opportunity to make up for those years when I wanted to audition for that show and couldn’t. Other than that, I had NO CLUE what to expect…I was just excited beyond words and grateful that there was a show that could make my efforts in becoming discovered easier. American Idol is a much longer process than you see on TV….overall from start to finish, the process is about 9 months!

What has life been like post-Idol? How has it helped or hurt your career?

American Idol has been a huge stepping stone! My life has been more exciting, more up and down, back and forth, good and bad….and I LOVE IT! The show prepared me for this industry in so many ways. I realized that this business is made up of people that depict Simon, Paula and Randy, and that it is up to the artist to make a way for themselves after the show. It is just as hard as before I was on the show sometimes, but many times I get ahead faster because of my involvement with AI. I have been blessed to tour the world, act in 7 stage productions including Dreamgirls (as Deena), speak to the youth about chasing their dreams, overcoming adversity, and the Idol experience. I also starred in two Vegas shows, and I’m working on my CD and currently have several entertainment companies. I have been working consistently for four years, and that is a blessing! I cannot wait to see what else is in store for my life.

Do you have any regrets about being on American Idol?

I used to have regrets because I felt like people will mistake me being on the show as a sign of being “bubble gum,” and I wouldn’t be able to pull myself away from that. Then I grew with every audition I took, every acting class, every vocal lesson, every song written, and more and more people got to know ME. And I hope I can continue to do that on a broader scale in the near future. So, now, no regrets. I truly believe that no matter the outcome, I was always right where I was supposed to be. I have learned that mistakes are mere blemishes, and in order to have a testimony you must first have tests. Sometimes I pass, and sometimes I fail. But I always learn from it!

What were your favorite kinds of songs to sing on AI?

I loved all of the genres because it stretched us as contestants to become familiar with music outside of your iPod, and I loved the challenge. The one regret was, I wished we’d had a live band like the contestants after our season….OH, I would have LOVED that!

Who was your favorite star collaborator?

My favorite star collaborator was Lamont Dozier because with his song “Come See About Me,” I was able to validate my being in the competition to Simon. He actually said he had to admit that Paula was right for championing me. I remember standing there thinking, “Yes!” and then I exhaled…backstage! (laughs)

What was it like on the Idol Tour?

The Idol Tour was the best thing about the entire experience. It gave me a true sense of what being a star was all about. The tour buses, waking up at 3 a.m. to check into the hotel, barely getting to shower between cities, performing while sick, trying to preserve your voice, connecting with 13,000 people a night, the energy, the meet-and-greets, where you actually got to say “thank you” to those people who voted was…A-MAZING! To date it is the best time of my life!

Who are your major influences?

Everyone in this business is a teacher, whether they have fallen from grace or not. I pay attention to artists to see what works and what doesn’t. I try to pull from that and still remain true to myself. Oprah is also a huge influence because she is a great example of balancing her life, her calling, and still remaining approachable, yet strong That is what I aim for. I never want to be so famous that people don’t feel that they can talk to me, or make so much money that it makes me an ugly person, or allow people to make me feel bad about being successful. You deal with all of that, all the time in this business. It’s about finding a balance.

What do you think about Idol Camp? Do you think any stars in the making will come from there?

I think that the camp is a great idea, and I hope that they allow all of us to come tour and possibly speak/perform there. There could definitely be stars born there. It is all about nurturing whatever talents they have; I look forward to hearing about many of them in the future.

What is the nature of your fan base?

I have been very surprised; my fan base is pretty broad. I get mail from overseas as well as in the U.S., and I think it is fantastic. And not to mention the kids; I love them! (laughs)

Do you have any creepy fans?

I have had creepy fans, but for the most part my fans are pretty stable!

What’s the strangest thing a fan has ever done for/to you?

I have had two incidents happen to me where I have gotten off stage and gone to my dressing room and the fan is sitting in my dressing room playing in my makeup and going through my things. That was really creepy! They pretended to be a family member to get backstage. Very weird!

Co-Judge Paula Abdul seems to be getting a lot of bad press for her neurotic behavior. Do you think there’s any truth to the headlines, or do you think it is all just for a good story?

I am not sure, but if she is going through something I hope that she recovers, or the next season will have a hard time with the remaining two judges!

With singers like Whitney Houston succumbing to the woes of fame, what are your thoughts on other trouble musicians like Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse? How does one avoid going this route?

I have been hurt by the headlines and stories featuring these artists and a few more, mainly because you have fallen in love with their talents and you live vicariously through them, saying to yourself “If she can do it…I can.” So when they fall, as a fan, you become saddened and unsure if you have what it takes. I mean, look at this person, who has all the money in the world allegedly “failing,” and you are just “you.” What would make you different? That is from a fan’s standpoint. From an artist standpoint, we all have moments where we are broken, but it is all about the company you keep, be it family or friends. Sometimes, the pressure is greater for some and the strength just isn’t there. Those are the artists that we should pray for, reach out to, instead of watching them crumble, judging them, when we KNOW what it it like. However, there is only so much you can do for people until they decide that they want your help. I think you can check the track record of those who are stable and successful and find that it is a choice to be strong and disciplined, and a lot of them have great people around them that are not afraid to say: “You’re messing up!” I know I have a lot of people that would be disappointed in me, not to mention how much of a blessing from God it is to be one of the chosen few to be in this business, and I could never imagine wasting my gift.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to continue to build myself as a brand. Audition, sing, learn the business-side of this industry and continue to make my way as a successful singer/actress/entrepreneur.

As is nature for some former AI contestants to be, how does it feel to be made into a punchline on Celeb-related blogs or TV shows? Do your feelings get hurt, or are you just flattered to be mentioned?

It depends on what is said, of course. I no longer get offended by it; everyone has an opinion, and you can’t please everyone. The only time I really get offended is when it is REALLY untrue and there is no way for me to clear the air and people are reading it saying “I knew she was like that!” or “I would never buy her CD!” based on something they “think” to be true. I have learned from that not to read the Rag Mags, even though it is still a guilty pleasure deep down and until I actually meet the person, not to be judgemental.

On a lighter note, what would your “Flavor of Love” nickname be and why?

Considering I would NEVER do the show, (laughs) um…maybe…”Dirty Diana” or “Miss Ross” because a lot of people say I look like her. But knowing him, he may not put the two together. (laughs)

Have you been in any legal battles with Idol? If so, why?

No, but I should have gotten Mr. Simon (Cowell) for writing third-hand dirt about me in his book that was untrue. When I saw that Larry Birkhead was suing for defamation of character, I said, “hmmmm….” Just kidding; it’s not worth it.

Have you found fame to be positive or negative overall?

I have always thought that being a celebrity before you are famous is extremely difficult, but overall I get to wake up and live an extraordinary life that most people can’t and won’t, so I would say there are definitely more positives!

It is helpful or obnoxious to be “contractually obligated”?

Well, after the tour you are no longer bound to the contract, so it isn’t that bad. It goes with the territory. The worry comes when you don’t know what you’re reading!

You don’t have to name any names, but was there ever an incidence of a fellow contestant who thought they were just the biggest star on the planet, whose head was too big for his/her own good?

Yes, there is always one or two, right?

How do you go about marketing yourself as a brand?

I take a look at who I’m marketing to and who my fanbase is and stay in contact with them. I am currently rounding out my team to include a lot of great people who have been successful in building stars. I am constantly surrounding myself with executives and stars who have done it, soaking up the wisdom, watching what I say, what I do, who I am attached to. I read my contracts and know that everything is negotiable. And lastly, I stretch myself in more areas than just music, because if you have a few irons in the fire. Then you are always generating income!

Besides yourself, who is your favorite Idol?

I have love for each and every one because we all share a bond and experience that only WE can talk about. It’s like a secret club, and we persevered.

For more information on Trenyce, check out her Myspace page: www.myspace.com/officialtrenyce and her music page: www.myspace.com/trenyceonline

Article By Jessica P. Wallin

——–

Follow us on Twitter @idolfans

American Idol News