Pia doesn't have a very clear memory of what happened next. "I kept blanking out," she said to my by phone today. However, the support that has been shown her by her fans, the show's judges and her fellow contestants has overwhelmed her so much that, she adds, "I'm in a happy place right now."
How much sleep did you get last night?
I didn't get any sleep last night. I haven't been to sleep since 5 a.m. yesterday.
Did you even try?
Nope. I couldn't. I was just processing everything. I don't even know how I'm functioning right now. I could not go to sleep.
Has anybody said anything to you that has helped you make sense out of what happened last night?
Everybody has been so supportive. That's really making me happy right now, to know that I do have that support and I have so many people backing me.
I'm a firm believer that everything truly happens for a reason. You know, it was my time to go on the show. Other things are in store for me, so I'm very positive.
Every eliminated contestant this season has said, "Everything happens for a reason." Do you have any clue what that reason might be for you?
I truly don't. When I auditioned in the past for the show and got eliminated, I asked, "Why?" I didn't understand why, and now I know: Because I was supposed to make it this year. There's always a plan, I believe.
I'm so happy I didn't make it to a point in the show before where I couldn't come back and audition again this season. I try to put a positive spin on everything, and it usually helps.
Is Jennifer Hudson looking more like a good role model for you, considering that she also finished in ninth place?
Jennifer Hudson has always been a role model to me, not just because of the situation, but because of everything she has been through. She's such a powerful woman. I've always looked up to her, since I've been such a huge fan of the show since Season One.
You and Stefano seemed to exchange a few words onstage immediately after last night's announcement. What did the two of you say to each other?
Honestly, it was such a blur to me last night that I kept blanking out a little bit. I just kept trying to stay present in the moment. I'm sure he said something like, "I can't believe this" or "I'm sorry." We were really, really good friends.
It's hard to go home. That's what was upsetting me, the fact that I was leaving people that I love so much. I know I'm going to see them again on tour, but I was so ready for my performance next week. It's hard to go.
Viewers always have a conventional wisdom that says certain singers will go deep into the competition, while others may have to work a little harder to stay on the show each week. Do the singers themselves get that same sort of sense, that certain ones of you are safer than others?
I think everybody has to bring their "A game" every single week, and everybody has to work just as hard every single week. You never know who's going to go home. It's shocking every single week to see who's in the Bottom Three. So everybody really has to bring their A game.
Five weeks into the finals, five women have been eliminated. What advice would you give to Haley Reinhart and Lauren Alaina, the only two women left?
Just to go out there and own it. I don't really need to give them any advice, because they're doing such an amazing job. I truly admire their work on the show, just that they can go out there and own that stage. It's like whatever happens, happens. I know they're going to do great.
What's the thing that somebody has said to you since last night that has made you feel the best?
There's so much support. And people saying, "It wasn't your time," and "We know you're going to have an amazing career. The support has been out of this world. I can't really single out one thing, because everybody has been so amazing.
How soon do you hope to get back into the studio so people can have new music to hear from you?
Well, I have stuff on iTunes right now that I recorded for the show. People can buy that stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to getting into the studio, but I'm focused right now on the tour. After that, we'll hopefully work on an album and get my stuff out there.
People are obviously going ballistic on our website and others today. What message would you like to send to people who are shocked and outraged about your leaving?
I'm just thankful that I made it this far. I'm in a happy place right now. I'm sad that I can't perform for everybody next week, but I'll get my time. It's not over for me. Keep watching the show, and thank you for your support.
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