Michael Lynche claims he was "not surprised" by his American Idol ouster but added it was also "not expected."

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"America is a fickle creature, and she's shown that as the competition has gone on. You just never know," Lynche told Reality TV World during a Thursday conference call.

"I think I was consistent every week and always gave my heart when I sang. The only thing with giving your heart is it can get broken. But if it gets received well, it can be something really magical and special -- and it was that for a couple weeks. I think that the way that wind blows with the votes, you just never know. It's really up in the air."

The 26-year-old personal trainer from Astoria, NY became the ninth finalist eliminated from American Idol's ninth-season after he received the fewest home viewer votes following Tuesday night's live performance show that saw the Top 4 finalists perform songs from the movies.

Lynche was already on borrowed time for the last several weeks since the show's judges saved him from elimination via the use of their one-time "The Judges' Save" viewer-vote override early last month.

"I wasn't surprised that they saved me, just extremely grateful to still be around," Lynche told reporters about being the recipient of the save.

Lynche said when he was revealed to be in the bottom two that week along with Andrew Garcia, he "wasn't terrified" and instead welcomed the challenge of singing for a chance to stay in the competition.

"I felt going into the season that I liked that concept of singing for your life. Really, every week to me was sing for your life because nothing is guaranteed for you on the show. I never wanted to take anything for granted. When I got to that point and it was literally sing for your life and the life of your family and your future -- here's your one chance -- I felt like I could do that. I felt going in like I could stand tall in that moment," he explained.

"When it got down to Andrew and I, I wanted it to be me in that moment because I didn't want him to necessarily have to go through that. He's a good buddy of mine and I just felt strong enough and prepared enough to take that moment on. It worked out."

In addition, Lynche feels he was able to stick around for the next four weeks because the save was the judges way of telling home viewers to "think about this again."

"It's really one of my favorite parts of the show, that people get to pick their champions," said Lynche.

"But it also depends on who's voting. As far as the save goes, it really speaks to your work ethic and your professionalism and what they see in you not just on the stage for that little minute and 30 seconds that America really sees. The judges get to see a bit more of us."

Not only did Lynche enjoy singing for his life when the opportunity literally arose, but he said the pressure of the entire competition was something that pushed him.

"I live for pressure. I think if you're going to be something great you've got to be able to deal with a pressure situation," he said.

"Look at Tuesday night -- I sang well, I performed well, and I felt good about what I did. It just so happened that it didn't happen for me to be in the Top 3 this year. But I'm where I'm supposed to be. I don't feel like I let anyone down."

One factor that helped Lynche feel comfortable in his fourth-place finish were some kind encouraging words given to him by judge Randy Jackson after his elimination.

"He just pointed out that Chris Daughtry finished at No. 4 and that I've got a chance to be special," he said. "It's not a bad place to be where I am."

Lynche was a memorable hopeful during Hollywood Week since his wife gave birth to their daughter while he was there.

"I don't think you can ever say anything is worth missing the birth of your child, and only time will let those wounds heal," he told reporters.

"But I think that this definitely gives my family a good chance in the future and gives my daughter a better chance than if I didn't make that sacrifice. But me personally, of course I didn't want to miss it. But it wasn't a chance. This was what I needed to do for the family."

Lynche said he's a "family man" first and added it was "nice" that viewers got to see that during last night's results show when his wife and daughter joined him on stage.

"It meant a lot because it really started out with them in Hollywood Week," he said. "For me, that's when this whole experience really got real. It wasn't about hoping that you do well anymore. I had to do well because of the sacrifices I was making at that time, it was very important for me to do well."

Standing at 6'1" and weighing near 300 lbs. with an ability to bench press 505 lbs., Lynche said his "Big Mike" moniker was well-deserved. However he was quick to point out he's not one dimensional.

"I think we all have a bunch of different sides to show of ourselves," he said.

"I was fortunate enough to stay on the show long enough that I got to show multiple sides. I'm not just Big Mike. I'm also Mike the husband and Michael the father -- I'm a brother, I'm a son. All those things make up your heart."

With only three finalists remaining, Lynche had some advice to help them make it to the finale.

"I think they've got to really stay true to themselves," he said.

"You've got to be comfortable up there and you've got to really, really pick songs that means something to you. I don't know if risk is what wins it because at this point you've really solidified what your fan base is and you've got to give them what they want."

As for what's next, Lynche said he'll begin rehearsing for the ninth-season finale next week and added he's excited for the annual American Idol tour to start this summer.

"I'm going to start working on putting together a great album," he said. "That's the No. 1 plan this year is to put out a great album."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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