TwoCents and Five Questions with Siobhan Magnus

magnus

…Siobhan Magnus, Reality Contestant

Siobhan was just one of the pack until she hit that unbelievably high note in “Think,” blowing the judges and America away. But after that, it seemed as if America expected her to do the “Siobhan Shriek” every week, which quickly got boring (and not always in tune).

So she quieted down, and that was deemed too sleepy. Once hot and rumored to be Crystal Bowersox’s only real competition, she cooled quickly and seemed lost.

After being eliminated on in Top 6 week, we caught up with Siobhan and she shared her TwoCents on the American Idol experience.

TheTwoCents: When did you first find out that you could hit that note, and how has that kind of evolved your use of it?

Siobhan Magnus: I figured out how to do that in the shower in high school one night. I’m an avid shower singer, much to the dismay of my family and my neighbors. I was singing a Kelly Clarkson song, and I went to hit one note. I reached it, and I was able to resonate it in a different part of my head that I could belt it that high.

TTC: Has glass blowing helped develop your voice?
SM: Yes, I started working in the glass shop about three years ago. It was such an incredible job because you learn so much every day. It’s all science, but it’s happening in your hands, and I love that about it. I could sit for hours and watch my boss make the most amazing things.

I think that glass blowing does require a certain amount of breath control, but it’s not something that you’re pushing really hard because glass is so sensitive. It’s such a cool job, and I miss it a lot, but it in many ways has helped shape me as a person, my work ethic and my ability to communicate with other people and just learning about the art which is fascinating.

TTC: After your elimination, what did the others say to you?
SM: It was hard because we’re all so close, and they’re all such cool, honest people. They said “we’ll miss your personality and your sense of humor.” I tried to just bring comedy into every day. It helps us all get through.

I think every single contestant is extremely respectable. I love them all dearly. I couldn’t think of a better person for them to have used the save on [than Mike] because it was shocking that it would have been him, but every person has their own personal struggles.

Michael and Crystal being apart from their babies, I’ve witnessed firsthand how hard that is for them. The respect I have for Aaron, being his age and going through this is just tremendous. I can’t even imagine doing this when I was 16 going on 17. He has to go to school every day too, and he has homework on top of it all. He’s just such an amazing kid with such an incredible talent. Casey, he won’t back down about putting down his guitar because that’s who he is. They’re all just so ambitious and strong and intelligent, and I adore them all.

I am especially close with Lee. He’s just such a great person, and we formed such an amazing friendship as I did with every contestant, but I guess Lee, in particular, we clicked, and I was so glad to have him there. They’re all extremely encouraging. We have this special bond, and we know that this isn’t the end by any means for any of us and that we will be friends forever. It’s inevitable just because of what we shared together. I miss them already.

TTC: What were your thoughts on Adam Lambert as a mentor because there are some people out there that are kind of comparing you two in terms of vocals and style.
SM: It was wicked flattering being compared to him. He was extremely helpful as a mentor because he was the first mentor that the show ever had that was a past contestant, so he knew firsthand what it was like to be in our shoes, and that was helpful because he was very sensitive to that. He knew just what to say, and the things he said were so dead on. He pointed out some great things not even just about technically singing the right notes or anything, but about the entire performance and your presence on stage and your motions and things to make it more believable. He’s a great guy.

TTC: You really defended your right to be an individual this season and not let the judges put you into a box or pigeonhole you. Is that something that you really wanted to instill in your fans — that it’s okay to be different?
SM: That’s definitely something that is important to me from the beginning to show people that that’s something I care about and I take very seriously. I have always been an independent person and a different kind of person, but I’m very stubborn and strong-willed, and it’s important for me to get that across that I’m not going to change to please other people. I do what I do because it rests well on my heart and who I am.

The positive feedback that I received from fans and viewers was tremendous. I couldn’t ask for anything better than receiving letters from younger girls who said to me, “I get made fun of at school because I’m different, but watching you has helped me accept the fact that it’s okay and it’s a good thing to be who I am and not back down just because other people intimidate me.”

To be able to have that connection with fans through this whole experience, through the television and know that I reached people, even if it was just one person. I always said if I could influence one person’s life, then that’s what I’m here for, so I’m just so honored.

TTC: How did your boyfriend help you through your Idol journey?
SM: He’s been great this whole time. There’s a kind of pressure on him throughout this that a lot of people don’t recognize or think of. Him being able to be strong while we’re apart has been extremely helpful. I knew that I could call him every night and just vent about whatever happened that day or if I was really happy or if I was really sad. He was in it with me even though we were 3,000 miles apart, so he definitely played a huge role in getting me through all of this.

TTC: What would you say to people who are very disappointed that you’re out?
SM: I would say not to worry because this is just the end of one thing, and it’s the beginning of a new thing. I have so many big ideas and things that I hope to come in the future that I probably wouldn’t have gotten a chance to do without this experience. I love acting. I do aspire someday to be in something like Phantom of the Opera or Jesus Christ Superstar, like any kind of opera or Broadway-type musical because I love acting and singing, and the two of them together is just so much fun.

I also am a huge horror movie fan, and I definitely aspire to at least make an appearance in a wicked gory kind of horror film with all the stops and the special effects makeup that I’m just so fascinated by. A big dream of mine since all my brothers and sisters are very artistic too would be to collaborate with all of them. My oldest brother, Rory, is an extremely talented filmmaker, and someday I’d love to be in one of his films, and we could all come together and create a Magnus work of art.

It’s just been such a wild ride, and it’s not over. It’s just a new chapter. I hope to take this as an opportunity to start to think even more about what’s next for me which hopefully is going to be an array of things from theater to film to recording and performing all over the place for whoever wants to hear me scream.

Thanks to Siobhan for her time. Be sure to watch the final four Idol contestants fight it out next week, Tues and Wed on FOX.

Patricia Morris Buckley, Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com