Talking with the 'American Idol' Final Four

By Minh Nguyen

Special to MSN TV

MSN TV had the chance to speak to the final four "American Idol" contestants during rehearsals earlier this week. While we wish no one had to go home, we know that someone will be heading home on Thursday as we near the finale. 

Bing: More about 'American Idol' | Photos: See the top 4 singers

This week's theme is around songs from California singers and bands and songs the contestants wished they'd written.

MSN TV: How does the song selection process work?

Hollie Cavanaugh: If it's a category, we get a list and we pick off that list. If it's a song that we think about that we like that's not on the list, we can ask to get it cleared. If we go in the mentor sessions and they give us a song that we don't know, we have to learn it there and then. You can pick whatever song you want at the end but we usually go with what the mentors advise.

Joshua Ledet: We normally pick our songs before the show ends out this week for next week. Wednesday, I would have my songs. They give us a short amount of time, and we have to be on our "A" game, be up to par and studying a lot of songs to know what you want to do.

Phillip Phillips: I go through a bunch of songs. Sometimes I get my brother-in law to help me out. I'll say, "Can you send me some songs to make me sound good?" while I'm searching for songs, too. It's a long process, and I have to keep on narrowing them down. It's pretty tough.

What's your favorite song you've performed?

Hollie: I really loved last week when I did "River Deep, Mountain High." It was a calm song. Also "Rolling in the Deep" and "Son of a Preacher Man." I loved "Bleeding Love." That wasn't my favorite song, but it's becoming one of my favorites

Joshua: Mariah Carey's "Without You."

Phillip: Probably "Superstition" or "Movin' Out." "The Letter" was really fun.

Jessica Sanchez: "Stuttering" by Jazmine Sullivan was my all-time favorite song. I feel like that was my stand-out performance even though, that week, I was about to go home. That song I poured out my gut. I have a story behind it, too. I am a girl, and I do have crushes. I really related to it. I am so happy people know the song and the artist now.

Who would you root for if you were eliminated?

Hollie: If it was Phillip, I'd love to have Phillip win. If it was Jessica, I'd love to see Jessica win. If it was Josh, I'd love to see Josh win. Everyone deserves it at this point.

Joshua: I don't think I would root for a particular person. Everybody's like family here. They're all so amazing so it'd have to be everyone here.

Phillip: I would root for myself or Jennifer Lopez. Probably Steven, he's done all he can. He's already awesome.

Jessica: I love everybody here but Joshua doesn't get enough credits from the fans. He's been in the bottom already, and that should never have happened. He's so crazy good, humble and sweet.

Who would you have saved if you could?

Hollie: I wish I could have saved all of top 10 or all of top 24. It was crazy because, when the saved did get used, there's nothing to save anyone so you have to bring it all week.

Joshua: If not Jessica, I would save Erica Van Pelt or Deandre Brackensickbecause they were amazing. I didn't think they deserved to go home. I don't think anyone deserved to go home. The save with Jessica they did the right thing because she did not deserve to go home.

Phillip: I honestly think Jessica deserved the save. She's an amazing singer. She's sweet, one of the best singers in my opinion to come through in a long time.

Jessica: I definitely felt guilty after taking the save. When Colton got eliminated, I felt tragic because I don't feel like he should have gone home, especially after me. He is an amazing artist, and I felt he knows what to do for his career. I feel like he should be in this competition.

What do you like to do during time off?

Hollie: At this point, most of us like to sleep, as soon as we get home. We almost never see Phillip because he's in his room sleeping but then he has been feeling under the weather. All of us don't have that excuse but we just fall asleep.

Joshua: I like to eat, Twitter and Facebook -- a lot of things -- have a normal life, go shopping and hang out.

Phillip: I like to rest, eat and sleep. There's a good place called Tart that has good southern cooking. I miss Southern cooking so much, but that's the closest I've come to it.

Jessica: I love to shop.

Are you able to go to the Grove or a mall and not be recognized?

Joshua: No. Sometimes I walk around with my head down so no one knows it's me but if I look up the Paparazzi come and it's tough.

Jessica: In certain places, it does get crazy. People do come up to you and ask for pictures. I don't mind it at all. It's so different than when I was back at home. I'd be comfortable singing softly inside a store. Nobody would care.

Who do you think is your biggest competition?

Hollie: To me, your biggest competition is yourself. I can't worry what the others are doing and (need to) stay focused on me.

Phillip: They're all my biggest competition at this point. They're a lot better singer than I am. I just have to bring what I can to the table.

Jessica: Phillip has this laid back, raspy kind of genre. Hollie is a big belter. Josh is just an alien. All of them are my competition. It's hard to compete with each other because we're all different genres. We all have to sing for our lives.

Any bits of advice along your "Idol" journey that stuck out?

Hollie: The best advice would be when people tell me not to worry about what people are thinking. Just get onstage and perform as if nobody's watching because if you think there are 23 million people watching it'll just mess with your head.

Joshua: They told me to stay true to myself from the beginning and I've stuck to that.

Phillip Phillips: Randy Johnson told me off camera, "Man, I like what you're doing. Don't try to feel like you've got to fit into something. Keep doing what you do 'cause it's working and I respect you. It's awesome 'cause a lot of people aren't like that." I really take that to heart.

Jessica Sanchez: "Don't ever expect the applause" is what Jimmy Iovine said one time.

Josh, how does it feel to be praised non-stop by the judges?

Joshua: I don't think I can describe how I feel about that besides the standing ovation they give me is amazing. It's the best ever.

Jessica, we haven't spoken to you since your surprise elimination. What did you learn from that day to take into your future performances?

Jessica: From that day a lot went through my mind. I felt I needed to push harder and I needed to get my heart out there. I felt that helped me but also hurt me a little bit because I was focusing more but trying too hard. This week I'm trying to take myself out of the competition mode and think this doesn't matter. I should just sing for America and my fans. I did my best.

Jessica, how are you handling schoolwork and "Idol"?

Jessica: My teacher is cool. We talk in there and she gives me advice. We're friends. I love being in there even though I have to do my homework. It keeps me grounded.

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.