Brooke White
Age: 24
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
Eliminated April 30

Is it true your husband vowed not to cut his hair while you were on the show?
Brooke: Yes, it's true. He says I can cut it whenever I get around to it, so I will be the one cutting it. I am just not sure when that is going to happen, I'll have to pencil it in somewhere. It'll probably be about three in the morning sometime.

You were so emotional last night — what was going through your mind?
Brooke: Everything. I anticipated it in a strange way and had a feeling in my gut. I thought I was strong and so grateful and all of a sudden — boom — it hit me. This is done, this is over. The finality of the experience being over was sad. Then there was fear of going back into the real world, and what does the future hold, which was exciting. So there were a lot of feelings. I hoped I could have been stronger, but I am an emotional girl and passionate, and I guess that came across onstage. I can't believe I made top five. It was such an amazing journey.

Did you hear from any of your own music idols while on the show?
Brooke: I spoke to Carly Simon this morning during an interview, it was amazing. She was incredibly supportive and very generous in her comments and she really boosted my spirits. It gave me the motivation to keep going in the direction I want. Those singer-songwriters of the '70s... I just connect with what they do and I hope I can make that happen in a more modern way.

Was it hard being up against the boys, as they are so popular this year?
Brooke: Well, the boys are awfully popular this year and I know that because their fan mail came in great humongous stacks, while we girls got like three a day. The boys are very talented and very charming. Oh, to be a boy this year — it would probably have been helpful [laughs]. They are all great, but so are the girls. I have to give them all props. Everybody was so good.

Is there a sense of relief to be off the show?
Brooke: Well, yes and no. I think after Tuesday I was re-energized and wanted to keep going. Then I woke up Wednesday and knew, "Brooke, you are going home, weird." Part of me wanted to keep going and part of me was thinking, "This is has been amazing." It is kind of a relief. Song selection and the pressure is increased with two songs, and preparing for the finale. It does feel kind of good to be done with that, but I was welcoming the challenge as well. Now I am just dying to see my family.