American Idol: Casey James' Shirtless Days Are Over!

Who's going to win Idol? This week's eliminee dishes

Memo to Casey James: Don't sell yourself so short. We chatted up the latest American Idol eliminee Friday, and when asked about his oft-referenced PG-striptease, he told reporters: "Who's to say that I would be here if I hadn't done that?"

We're choosing to believe it was your talent, not that tanned and toned chest of yours, but hey, maybe he's just modest...

We kid! Casey is well-aware of his musical prowess, saying: "If you feel like you can back yourself up and not be the guy who took his shirt off, because hopefully that's not who I am now, then do what you need to do to get the ball rolling. There's a possibility had I not done that, I wouldn't have made it past the first round. It definitely wasn't something I thought of or even realized would happen, but I'm so thankful I did." As are we.

So he's finished prancing around without a shirt for accolades. That doesn't mean he's done with music. Quite the opposite, in fact. Casey's ready to go on his solo stuff.

"Next is a record and doing my music," said Casey. "It's time to get started. The reason for the show is to allow us to do music, and that's what I intend on doing. It's what I love, and now I have the opportunity to do it. It's go time."

And get this, ladies, Casey is as humble as he is sexy, if you can believe that. "I'm very honored and proud of everything I've accomplished, but keeping in mind this will die down, and very soon there will be the next person in my situation. I'm just looking forward to trying to keep the audience that I have."

He may have just missed his spot in Idol's final showdown next week, but that doesn't mean he's not supportive of finalists Lee DeWyze (sigh) and Crystal Bowersox. On the contrary: "They both have very unique, standout sounds," he explained. "They are who they are and that's why people are voting for them. That's just going to grow, and it's going to be a crazy good show."

Agreed—although we'll definitely miss Casey James up there.