Idol's Jessica Meuse: How She Stayed Positive Despite Tough Critiques, Which Mentors She Loved and Why She 'Lost Respect' for J.Lo

Jessica Meuse really, really wanted to win Season 13 of American Idol — but she says she’s happy with her fourth-place finish because she never had to compromise her artistic identity to achieve it.

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Meuse stopped by TVLine HQ for an in-depth discussion of her Idol journey, including the judges’ tough critiques of her arrangements and the way she moved on stage; the band snafu that almost derailed her “Sound of Silence” cover; the great “Pumped Up Kicks” debate; and the increasingly short list of cleared songs from which she had to choose.

Plus, we learn a little more — albeit inadvertently — about Randy Jackson’s mentoring.
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Press PLAY below for the full Q&A, then hit the comments and share your thoughts on Meuse’s unfiltered Idol talk!