Balancing Act

EAST COUNTY — Since his national television debut on “American Idol” this year, the life of Braden River High School student Sam Woolf has been a flurry of press conferences, promotional events, screaming girls and rehearsals.

Although he hopes the hectic life he has lived since the show aired Jan. 15 will continue, he plans to create a balance between Hollywood and his hometown.

“(My life) probably won’t be getting back to normal, which is great,” Woolf said. “But, I’m also looking forward to seeing my friends.”

During the few days he stays in East County this week, Woolf welcomes the familiarity of going over to a friend’s house or going to the beach.

He plans to participate in his high school graduation May 31.

He also has plans to prepare for his noteworthy backup plan — attending the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, in the fall.

Woolf received word that he was accepted to the college in January.

But, for now, being a celebrity commands the majority of his attention.

Woolf’s best friends, Lou Ziebell and Skyler Adkins, met him with open arms and countless questions when they picked him up from the airport May 3. The trio talked for hours about the show and happenings at school and in each of their lives.

The next day, Woolf left again.

The following night, Woolf shared pleasantries with a representative from “Idol” in a limousine headed to New York City, where a frenzy of screaming girls greeted him as he prepared to appear on “Live with Kelly & Michael.”

He jokes that he has been in a haze the last few days.

“When did I get to Bradenton? Last night?” Woolf asks himself aloud. “No, it was Saturday. I’m confused.”
Woolf hasn’t had much free time since he was voted off “American Idol” May 1. Woolf left “Idol” as a top five contestant.

In April, the judges chose to use their one “save” pass to keep Woolf on the show, after he received the lowest number of votes.

Now he has a full schedule of appearances and only a few days off this week before he returns to California May 11. He will stay on the West Coast for the next few weeks as he rehearses for the two-part “American Idol” season finale, which airs at 8 p.m. May 19 and May 20 on FOX.

With all the publicity he has received thus far, Woolf admits he has changed.

“Being on ‘Idol’ has taught me a lot,” Woolf said. “It’s definitely gotten easier to answer questions and to talk to people.”

May 1, the five season 13 contestants stood shoulder to shoulder as they waited for show host Ryan Seacrest to announce the results of who would go home next.

Instead, he offered the group a choice: They could choose to wait until next week and then have two contestants go home May 8, rather than one, or they could continue with standard procedure and send home the lowest vote receiver.

The vote had to be unanimous to wait until next week to eliminate anyone.

Three contestants, including Woolf, voted to postpone the decision, and two voted against waiting.

After an on-stage huddle, the group decided for one contestant to be sent home — which happened to be Woolf.

“We all decided as a group,” Woolf said. “At first, I thought we should have everyone stay another week, but then I thought it would be better to keep the show its natural way.”

In June, Woolf will start preparing for the 41-stop American Idol Live! tour, which spans from June 24 to Aug. 23.

As he works to find his balance between his celebrity and high school singer/songwriter personas, he still can’t believe how much his life has changed.

“(This success) is just crazy,” Woolf said. “It still doesn’t seem real to me.”

In Sam’s Words …
He doesn’t see himself the way screaming girls do.
“(Being a heartthrob) isn’t really who I am,” Woolf said. “I don’t think I’m really a heartthrob.”

Almost being eliminated in April fueled his determination.
“It definitely pumped me up,” Woolf said. “I gave it my all.”

His last performance on the show wasn’t his best.
“I wasn’t too confident with my performance (of “Sing”),” Woolf said. “It was difficult for me to sing it an octave lower than the original.”

He wants to make music a career and record an album within five years.
“I want to make an album,” Woolf said. “I want it to be organic, acoustic rock, like John Mayer.”

He isn’t going to prom.
“I don’t think I can make it,” Woolf said. “I think I’ll be in L.A. for finale rehearsals.”

He was a fan of “American Idol” before he appeared on the show.
“I watched it on and off,” Woolf said. “I’m surprised how much behind-the-scenes stuff there is.”

His favorite moments happened off stage.
“I liked just being with all the contestants,” Woolf said. “We’d all hang out and jam; we’d try not to worry (about eliminations).”

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].