Ex-'Idol' finalist Melinda Doolittle finds her way to local Miracle

Melinda Doolittle, former "American Idol" contestant

Melinda Doolittle, former "American Idol" contestant

KNOXVILLE — Winning "American Idol" doesn't always guarantee a solid career is awaiting. Coming in third? Well, Melinda Doolittle says it's working out well enough for her.

"I feel like, at the end of the day, I did win. I get to continue doing what I love to do. I had so much peace the day (I found out I came in third)," says the performer who came in third during season six.

"I'm the type of person who says, 'OK, God, what's next?'"

For one, she's taking lessons she learned on "Idol" to heart. She can still tell you the biggest criticism she received on the show.

"I sang during 'Bee Gees Week' the song 'Love You Inside and Out.' And Simon (Cowell) said, 'You sound like a background singer,'" Doolittle recalls.

"It just let me know I didn't really (master) the song. That criticism still motivates me now when I do a song."

These days, she does quite well mastering songs. She's starting a six-week run as the narrator in the stage production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat."

Her run begins March 1 at the Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge.

During season six of "Idol," Doolittle finished right behind Jordin Sparks, who won, and runner-up Blake Lewis. She isn't bitter about ending up third. Doolittle, a resident of Nashville, says life works out the way it is supposed to.

For Doolittle, this is the career path she is meant to have. "It worked out perfectly," she says now.

Since "Idol," she has traveled the country singing and has recorded two CDs. "Joseph" marks her first time in an extended run in a musical.

And the theater says Doolittle's exposure on "Idol" is what attracted them to having her on the show. So far, "Idol" has built her career but not defined it.

Doolittle is still a diehard fan of the show and watches it every week. Like any dyed-in-the-wool devotee of "Idol," she has her opinions over the backstage changes.

She's a little concerned for its future. Losing Paula Abdul is one matter. The absence of Cowell next season will be another.

"I still miss Paula," she says. "I hope someone like Ellen (DeGeneres), who is really cool, will step up and be sort of that mother figure for the contestants."

As for losing Cowell, she says, "I can't imagine how they'll do the show without Paula and Simon."

Doolittle always assumed she'd just be a backup singer the rest of her life until "Idol" came along.

"I never thought I'd see a sign that reads, 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Melinda Doolittle.' It's just more than I thought I'd have.

"I don't even know what to expect.

"It's awesome."

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/. He contributes to "Live At Five At Four" on WBIR, Channel 10, and "The Marc & Kim & Frank Show" on WWST-FM, 102.1.

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