American Idol's Eliminee Ashthon Jones: "God Has Something Better for Me"

Young singer says it's easy to accept her departure from the show, because it was all part of His bigger plan

When Ashthon Jones was eliminated on American Idol Thursday night, she seemed to take it pretty well. Sure, she had a minor breakdown, but she managed to pull herself together to sing her swan song and participate in the traditional group hug with her fellow contestants before heading backstage.

We imagined she'd lose her brave face and melted into a puddle of waterworks once she got away from the cameras and the live studio audience, but it turns out that wasn't the case. Why? Here's what she told us this morning:

"It's not always a bad thing to be the first person to go," she said. "I feel like it was all in God's timing, and he has something better for me. I'm not saying American Idol was not [good], but something great is what I feel in my spirit right now, and I can't wait to see what is going to happen.

"I did break down a little bit because I was leaving, but I left those tears on the stage," she said. "That strength has nothing to do with me. That strength comes from God. I know a lot of people don't believe or don't understand what I'm saying, but that strength comes from up above."

Ashthon is a tough little cookie who says her post-Idol experiences won't change who she is, but she has high hopes that the world will get to know her better after American Idol.

"I don't really think [American Idol] showed my personality as much as I wanted to, but it was OK because everything happens for a reason," she said. "The confidence that I have came from God. Right after that I picked myself up and said, 'OK, on to the next.'"