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What can we expect on the new season of American Idol?
I think it's about the boys this year. I think the boys are much better than the girls. And I think the talent this season is better than all three seasons put together. It's really, really strong. Last season, there were maybe five unbelievably talented people and the rest were just good. I think you might have 12 or 13 unbelievably talented (contestants) this time.
The show is being framed as a battle of the sexes, where girls compete against girls and guys against guys.
I personally love it that we've changed it to make the boys against the boys and the girls against the girls and then put them together for the finals and see who comes out the winner. It's really hard to judge girl against boy – you can judge it on who's better, who has the most charisma, but it's really pretty hard.
Of the cities where you held auditions, which had the most talent?
New Orleans was the best audition city we saw this year. Well, you know, that's my home state! I'm from Baton Rouge, I'm from the dirty dirty dawg south. New Orleans really represented. I was really impressed and really honored to be from the Louisiana bayou.
Which contestants are you in touch with from previous seasons?
(Songwriter) Diane Warren and I have been working with Kimberly Caldwell on an album. I stay in touch with Kelly, talk to Ruben quite a bit, talk to Clay every now and then.
