My Interview with Dreamgirls Star Syesha Mercado

Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 08:29 PM | American Idol 7
Tags: Dreamgirls, Syesha Mercado

I interviewed Syesha Mercado over the phone today! She was so nice!

Syesha is currently rehearsing for the touring production of Dreamgirls where she plays Deena Jones (played by Beyonce in the film). The show opens at the Apollo Theater on Nov. 7 and will tour around the country until June 2010.

I was quite nervous leading up to the interview because as I understand it, Syesha had some issues with some stuff I had written about her in my blog last year. I started off by apologizing to her for anything I had posted that may have offended her, and she responded that “we have no drama.” She said that she didn’t even know what the fuss was about even when people were tweeting her about it. As far as she’s concerned, she loves everyone. Yay! We love you too Syesha!

Syesha told me why she agreed to the role of Deena in Dreamgirls when in an interview with EW when she was voted off American Idol, she thought that she would be doing Broadway later on in her career. She said her mother auditioned for the original Broadway show. Though her mother did not make it, her stories about the whole process and production inspired Syesha when she was a little girl. It was a role should could not pass up growing up with musical theater.

I told her that when Fantasia Barrino headlined the Color Purple on Broadway, many critics said it was a step down — which I disgreed with. Fantasia was the star of that show and Syesha is the star of this show now. It’s a good career choice for her.

She has been rehearsing for 3 1/2 weeks now in New York, and said “the cast is so talented.” I asked about the moving LED sets that was the trademark of the production, and she said that they are still rehearsing in a studio and has not seen them yet.

As far as preparing for the rigors of tour, she told me that originally she thought she would work out — but after all the difficult choreography from Shane Sparks she’s stopped going to the gym. She said the main difficulty while touring is the weather. “I’m taking a lot of vitamin C,” she said to protect her voice and combat the cold weather.

I worried that singing “Listen” over and over again (Syesha sang “Listen” during the tour last year) might be hard to keep fresh, but she said: “the lyrics are different… it’s a reconcilation song between Effie and Deena in the second act … it’s gonna be easy since I’m not going to be singing the same thing as the Idol tour.”

I asked about the state of her album now that she is committed to the Dreamgirls tour until next year. “Coming off a show with so much hype people expect you to produce something, if you’re not going to be in a movie, you better put out an album,” she said. She’s frustrated that she can’t release something while she’s touring, but she wants everyting to be right when it comes out. “I have so much material already!” she said. She’s collaborated with Chris Rojas, Scott Cutler, REO (producer of Beyonce’s “Hello”), Andrew Dixon and Evan Bogart. She’s also looking forward to working with Eric Hudson and Toby Gad soon.

Syesha is famous for her life qoutes on Twitter and I asked her to give one for Rickey.org. She said: “Take things in life day by day.” (In so many words of course, listen to full message in the MP3 after this post.)

It was wonderful to talk to Syesha finally! I think being the ‘last Fanesha’ even in my mind did pay off — I feel like I’ve gone full circle — and I do wish her all the best. I look forward to watching “Dreamgirls” starring Syesha at the Apollo Theater this November.

You can check out all the dates at the Dreamgirls website.

Follow @syesha on Twitter!

5 Comments for My Interview with Dreamgirls Star Syesha Mercado

1

Heh! That was interesting.

Good to see more Broadway-friendly Idols breaking out.

Lissteeen!

Klope62 on October 14, 2009 at 8:51 pm
2

When she sang on the Idol tour, I got chills. Maybe the judges clouded my opinion of her on the show cuz I didn’t like her much. Good luck to a very talented lady. Plus she has fantastic legs. Amazing, really.

∞Luminosity∞ on October 14, 2009 at 8:58 pm
3

I love Syesha! She realy showed by Broadway appeal the last couple of weeks she was on American Idol.

I really wish she would release an album since she has an AMAZING voice!!!!!!!!!!

Paul on October 14, 2009 at 9:53 pm
4

Great interview… I think when you do Broadway, people take you serious in the business, especially when you are the star… I always loved Syesha on Idol and she had an amazing performance on tour… I’m sure she’ll get great reviews. Can’t wait to see it and I can’t wait for the album…

Derek on October 14, 2009 at 11:49 pm
5

finally…

Justin on October 15, 2009 at 12:04 pm