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American Idol Backstage Scoop: Find Out Who's Trying to Get on Glee!

Tonight's eliminated contestant reveals a wicked sense of humor you didn't see on TV

By Shawna Malcom Apr 12, 2013 4:50 AMTags
American Idol Top 6Michael Becker / FOX

Backstage after his not-so-surprise elimination from American Idol tonight, Lazaro Arbos was determined to go out on a high note. "I won [of] the boys," said season 12's last man standing. "I won next American Boy Idol!"He already had his next TV gig in mind, too. "My goal is to get on Glee," he told us. "I'm trying to contact [executive producer] Ryan Murphy. So if he stops by, let him know!" Then, just for good measure, he added, "Ryan, call me maybe," before starting to sing a (pitch-perfect!) rendition of Carly Rae Jepsen's monster hit. Hilarious.

Say what you will about Laz—yes, he had a troubling tendency to forget the words to his songs and, no, he never could seem to find the right key in his performances. But there's no denying that the Florida ice cream scooper with the extreme stutter was an inspiration to many Idol fans this season. (Doesn't that sound like a fitting Glee storyline?) Or that in his weekly backstage chats with us, he revealed an endearingly wicked sense of humor that wasn't often apparent on TV. 

Take, for instance, his answer to the question of what judge Nicki Minaj, one of his harshest critics, had said to him onstage after his elimination. "She invited me to the club!" a deadpan Lazaro cracked. 

While he may not actually go out clubbing with Ms. Minaj anytime soon, he assured us there were no hard feelings over any of the not-so-flattering things she'd said about his performances. "I love her, and she loves me, regardless of what she says on camera," he said. "She said that I'll be fine because I have a lot of people who love me, and she's not worried about me."

Even though he didn't walk away with the Idol crown, Laz isn't worried either, because he figures he's gained something far more important: confidence. "Six months ago, I never rode a plane by myself," he said. "I never did anything by myself. So I think that the show molded me so much and gave me so much tough skin. [Now] I don't care what anyone says about me. I know who I am, and that's that."

How do you feel about Lazaro's exit? Who are you rooting for to win?

Sound off in the comments below!

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