It was pretty hard to catch up with the Canadian Idol less than 24 hours after Eva Avila managed to capture the crown. She had autographs to sign, pictures to take, and interviews to do all day. Not to mention the fact that she only slept for less than an hour after the wrap party. In the end, I got another chance to find out why Eva’s charm is just as sensational as her singing voice when she sat down to talk about everything that went down.
Murtz Jaffer: Eva Le Dragon is the Canadian Idol. What are you feeling the day after the competition?
Eva Avila: It’s starting to sink in slowly. It’s very difficult because yesterday was all blurry and stuff, I couldn’t really realize it on the spot. But today, it’s starting to hit me a little more. Just seeing my face in every newspaper, it’s kind of like a wakeup call.
MJ: Was it kind of like you woke up and there were all these newspapers with you on the front outside your door?
EA: Well, no (laughs). I was just walking on the street this morning at 7 a.m. and the papers were already in the box and I picked one up, first page”¦ big picture! I don’t know, I heard my single on the radio. It feels really”¦ it feels amazing. It’s starting to hit me but bit by bit. I am starting to realize how big this is.
MJ: In the final four stage, it was you and three guys. You were the last female standing. Do you think that played a role in you winning? The fact that it was like the guy-killer, Eva Avila.
EA: (Laughs). I don’t know”¦ the boys got a lot of votes at the beginning too. I really don’t know. It’s hard to tell. You don’t know who watches the show. More little girls who tend to vote for the guys or teenagers or older people. Parents? Tiny tiny kids. I mean you don’t know. It’s hard to judge how they vote. I am just really hoping Canada for who they wanted. Who they wanted to buy their album. Who they wanted to go see in concert. Who they wanted to listen to on the radio. If those are the right reason, then I am just so proud.
MJ: Farley and Zack said that you have a lot of international potential. What do you think your victory means to Quebec because typically Quebec hasn’t done well in the Idol competitions. Do you think this gives new life to Quebec and Canadian Idol?
EA: You know, I am really really happy because you know I am so proud to be from Quebec and I am also so proud to be Peruvian and Canadian of course. I just think it’s really good that I am able to represent three cultures and I feel really really blessed that I get to touch as many people as possible. To be able to sing in three languages I think is really really awesome. That’s why my ultimate goal is to have an international career. If I work hard enough, who knows? I might get there.
MJ: Tell me about the last 24 hours. You went from hearing that you won, going to a press conference, going to the wrap party and media day today. Has it been hectic or are you used to it by now? Like it’s 4 p.m. now.
EA: It’s been, yeah, it’s 4 p.m. now. I only had 45 minutes of sleep last night so I am kind of exhausted, but press is fun. I love doing interviews. It’s a lot of fun. I am used to doing interviews, but the lack of sleep is starting to hit me now. But I am just so excited. I know that I am going to be able to get some rest in the next few days, a little bit. It’s so worth it. It’s a new chapter. The TV show part of the whole experience is over. Now this is a new chapter. It’s like bing bang, now it’s the beginning of my career as a recording artist as opposed to a contestant on a TV show. These are two completely different things. Now this is the big game. This is it. This is where my career starts for real.
MJ: Was there one particular moment in the competition where you were like, wow I have a chance at this? Maybe it was the Alicia Keys cover that you did during Unplugged week where everybody really loved it?
EA: I really felt confident that night particularly. You guessed it right. That was the night where I felt the most confident about my performance and I was happy to have brought a side of me that Canada had not seen yet. Which is, you know, the earthy urban hip-hop soul vibe. I was really happy with it, but there was no moment where I thought ‘oh, I could win this.’ I guess being in the final two”¦
MJ: That’s when it sunk in”¦
EA: Yeah. Pretty much. I was just so excited and thrilled to get through every week. Week by week I was like ‘oh my god, I am in top eight!’ ‘Oh my god, I am in top seven!’ ‘Oh my god, I am in top six”¦’ etc. Winning”¦ this is the top. There is nothing else above. I have reached the top. What more could I ask for? I haven’t been eliminated ever. It’s kind of freaky honestly. It’s amazing!
MJ: Apparently the vote was won in the West, because that is where it all came down to and that you and Craig had split everywhere else. Did you know that you are that popular in Vancouver? Is it weird knowing that some random guy in Vancouver helped you win Canadian Idol?
EA: Yeah, it’s so flattering knowing that I made fans all over the country. As much as I am so happy about the support that I am getting from not only Quebec but all Francophone’s, it’s just so cool knowing that I have been able to inspire people and people actually believe in me and my talent (and Canada got to know me every week), so they like me and they vote for me and it’s the best feeling in the world just knowing that you can touch people without even knowing them. It’s really cool.
MJ: The judges gave you a hard time in your initial audition, but you totally won them over during the course of the competition. What was your relationship like with them while Canadian Idol was going on?
EA: You know what? When they gave me that gold ticket (as you saw on TV), I came out, I was like meh, meh, meh. My friends and family were like WHY ARE YOU POOPED?! I think it was the only reaction like that. They really tore me down! They gave me SUCH a hard time. I really thought they hated me. I was scared! They scared the crap out of me. When I went to Toronto, I was like I am going to have to work SO hard to impress them, it’s not even funny. I felt like I had to bring it. Gave it my 150 per cent and I think I did. I think that they got to see me blossom and evolve. Since the beginning of Top Ten, I was like good. I am really happy that they see who I am as an artist and that their opinion of me has changed. I love the judges. Everything that they tell me is so constructive and these people are pro’s. They have been in this business for years and years so they know what they are talking about. It’s just an honor having them around.
MJ: You auditioned for the competition before when you were 16 and that’s the age that Craig was this year. Do you think that the three years really helped you develop and that you were more ready this time?
EA: Definitely! I am so happy that I didn’t make it when I was 16 because this is exactly when I was supposed to. Let’s say that I had made it when I was 16, I could have made the Top 22 or something. I wasn’t ready for a competition like this. I didn’t have the maturity and the focus and the concentration and the exact image of who I wanted to be as an artist. What image I wanted to project. So I am really happy that I made it now because I won, you know. Maybe if I did it a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have won. I feel this is exactly when it was meant to happen for me. It was just the right time at the right place.
MJ: So that speaks volumes about Craig right? Because he did this whole thing when he was just 16. Do you think he is going to do well after this?
EA: Oh, definitely! I have no doubt about Craig. He is so gifted and he’s got an amazing career ahead of him and he’s still young. I mean I am young too. I have lots to learn but I am not worried for a second. He has the most amazing voice. He’s got that little something that makes him so unique and he’s so one of a kind, I think he’s going to move to Toronto. That’s what he was saying. I would LOVE for him to move to Toronto, because I definitely want to keep in touch with him. He’s like my brother. He’s like the funniest guy I have ever met.
MJ: Just a couple of more questions. One is that this is the second Canadian Idol finale in a row where a girl has taken out a guy from Newfoundland. Do you think that on next yea’s Idol, if there is a girl from Newfoundland we might as well just give her the check and the contract right now? What is it about that? Newfoundland has so many great contestants but they just can’t win. Do you think it’s just a size kind of thing, or do you not know?
EA: I don’t think it’s a regional kind of thing. I think it’s mostly about talent. I mean of course the support is good. I mean it’s good when you have a lot of people to back you up, but it’s not just about how many people do you know and how big is your town and how many people are going to vote for two hours straight”¦ it’s a question of can you reach the majority of Canada. Can you inspire most people in Canada to vote for you? Can you convince them that you’re the next thing. I won this thing and Quebec was backing me up but I know I have made fans from all over the country. It’s just a question of being versatile and being focused to reach all kinds of people. It’s just a question of talent and personality and bringing your own little thing to the stage and showing Canada who you are. It’s in their hands. If they like it? Good. If they don’t”¦
MJ: Who’s happier? You or your parents?
EA: I do not know! Probably my parents. No, no. Probably equal. They are so excited. I have never seen them so emotional. I know they love me and they want my absolute happiness and now they see me taking off. It’s like I am leaving the nest and it’s really hard for my mom. I live with my mom. It’s just the two of us at home, so it’s pretty hard for her. I have been away for a few months now, so I think she has gotten used to it already. She just wants me to be happy and I can feel it. Like I can feel it. I can really feel it. Like they are both extremely happy and my dad is so proud. He taught me how to sing right? So he’s like, I have something to do with it (laughs). Big part thanks to him that I am here.
MJ: What’s next for you? Walk me through. Do you have any idea? Obviously you are going to be in Toronto for awhile.
EA: I am going to be working on the album ASAP because it has to be released by November 14, so it’s definitely going to be a lot of hard work. 24/7. There’s going to be the writing camp where a bunch of songwriters get together and do the song selection for the album. Then I might get to go home for a few days. I am not sure when but probably in the next month or so. Just going to take it day by day. It’s going to be a hectic schedule but I am going to be able to have a good night’s sleep and a little bit of free time to relax and lots of singing so I am definitely going rest my voice. Just go with the flow and I can’t wait for what’s ahead because it’s the beginning of a new life.
MJ: And finally, last question. You are going to have a track produced by Cyndi Lauper, you’re going on tour with Martina McBride, the competition is over, what’s the best part aside from being interviewed by me?
EA: (Laughs). You took my answer!
MJ: Is there one, or is it a combination of things?
EA: Oh my god! I can’t pick one best part. I’ll just name one of them I guess. Probably the chance to”¦ I mean it’s just so meant to be. I got to meet my absolute Idol, Nelly Furtado. I have been in love with that artist from the day I heard her first album when I was like 13. So meeting her was such a privilege. I felt so honored. Definitely was a one-in-a-million feeling when I met her and when I heard that she was coming back to the finale, I was like ‘Okay! That’s it! That’s just the icing on the cake!’ It was just amazing.
MJ: That’s perfect, thank you.
EA: Thank you!
