Clark Beckham might've finished American Idol as the runner-up, but he told Reality TV World it was probably the best outcome for him and his career.
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Throughout Idol's fourteenth season, Clark, a 22-year-old street performer from Whitehouse, TN, was hell bent on staying true to himself as an artist and playing the soulful, bluesy and jazzy songs he felt best represented him. His mentor Scott Borchetta made it known he wasn't really a fan of an "American Idol" playing that music, while the show judges also said he should try to be more mainstream, modern and edgy.
All the while, it appeared as if Nick was the golden boy of the season. Jennifer Lopez admitted Tuesday night Nick would probably be Simon Fuller's "dream American Idol" because he's the whole package.
So did Clark feel as though the industry professionals favored Nick over him? And how difficult was it for the artist to be himself when there were so many different influences around him?
"Yeah, you know, what you said about playing more modern, I think -- I really believe -- that I am modern, and I think the best modern is when an artist can understand and play and do music that is coming right now and is just on the brink, or just around the bend, just coming alive. And I really believe that the music that I put out and that I am, I really think that's really what's going to come around the bend," Clark told Reality TV World.
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"But yeah, you know, I really don't think I would've fit with Scott as well as Nick is going to fit with Scott. I think they worked really well together throughout the whole competition, and Scott is extremely successful and he's a great guy. And no matter what, I really believe and I know that he wants the best for me and for Nick."
Clark and Nick actually talked about winning and determined "honestly... the best outcome happened."
"The best thing for Nick was for him to win and I believe I'm where I need to be, and the best thing that could've happened to me is what happened. I just choose to believe that, and at the end of the day, that's where I stand," he said.
Clark also explained what was going through his mind while onstage with Nick, waiting for the finale's results.
"Right when the result happened, truly, both of us were saying -- now, Nick, he's funny. Nick just thought he was going home many times and many shows. He was like, 'I'm in the bottom two. I know it. I'm just in the bottom two.' And I'm like, 'Bro, you're crazy, like, you're going to do fine.' Or he was like, 'I'm going home. I'm going home. I just know it.' And I was like, 'Dude, I don't think you are.' And he never has," Clark said.
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"And then yesterday, during the show, he was like, 'Man, I think you won. I just think you won. I think you won.' And I was like, 'Man, I have no idea.' And so, Nick has always kind of been that way. But I think, deep down, neither of us truly had any idea what name was going to come out of [Ryan Seacrest]'s mouth when he made the announcement."
Clark went on to say that he "obviously wanted to win," but everything happens for a reason.
"I wanted the streamers and the title and then the trophy, and you know, all of those things. I wanted to go to Vancouver for the World Cup so bad! I'm a huge soccer fan, but I believe, with all my heart, at the end of the day, I just believe with all my heart that I'm exactly where I need to be and I can't wait to see where I go from here," Clark admitted.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski