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We saw her cry. Then, we saw her cry again and again.
At the same time, we heard her sing. And, we saw her head into the Bottom Three time and time again. She even declared herself the ‘Queen of the Bottom Three’.
But, around week seven of Rock Star: INXS, we all witnessed a shift for the 28 year-old from Toronto, Canada. Where there was once tears, there was now laughter and giggles. Where there once was Bottom Three appearances there were now encore appearances.
Last, but not least, there was a stage dive. A confident, bold, aggressive move that made us all appreciate the power of music, the energy of a rock singer and the passion of a competitor going after the prize.
Suzie McNeil left Rock Star: INXS last week. But, the impression she imprinted on us will last for a long time. Best part. It was a stellar impression.
Yesterday, I met up with Suzie to learn more about her and her experience on Rock Star: INXS.
REX: Are you a cat or dog person?
I’d have to say dogs.
REX: Why dogs?
Well cats kind of have their own thing going on. At times, you don’t know where you stand with them. But, dogs are pretty much the opposite. A little more obvious. Dogs are apparent and giving of love. Oh, shit… I hope all the cat-lovers don’t hate me now.
REX: Don’t worry about it.
Suzie: Okay.
REX: So, when you wake up in the morning do you want an apple or an orange?
Suzie: Neither. Let me tell you why. Oranges are a mess. First, you have to deal with the peeling part. Then, when you get to the goods, there’s all that white, pulpy stuff. And…. Seeeeeeds. Oh my god. Ahhhhh. I can’t stand the seeds.
As for apples, they’re hard and kind of tart for me.
REX: What’s your favorite movie?
Suzie: The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson… I’m into some of the other sci-fi stuff like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings… And, Zoolander.
REX: Hansel’s soo hot right now.
Suzie: [She giggles.] Mig is so hot right now. We had a joke in the mansion in which we’d say that line over and over…. Mig is sooooo hot right now. Zoolander is a great flick.
REX: Coffee or Tea to get you going?
Suzie: I go coffee. Actually, anything that has some mode altering substance, I’ll consume.
REX: Favorite cd?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…. That’s impossible. I guess. [Silence.] I guess I have different favorites for different moods. I’d have to say though that ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ would probably be way up there.
REX: Got it. My momma told me that nobody is perfect… So, what’s the one thing that bugs you about you?
Suzie: Well… There’s lots of things actually.
REX: Name one.
Suzie: Sometimes I wish I was more of an intellectual type. Like, I saw how some of the others were so creative on the show. I wish I was more like that. Sometimes, I’m not meticulous enough. I guess I’m just a bit too care-free… I really just try to enjoy life.
REX: You’ve been off the show now for a few days. What do you miss most about the experience? The mansion lifestyle? The performance rehearsals? The parties?
Suzie: Yah. That’s a good one. I remember after the elimination show… I came to the hotel and I was like, “Noooooo. I don’t belong here…. I want to go back to my hoooome at the mansion.” [Giggle.] Seriously, I do miss that place. I miss my boys. And I guess that I really miss the go, go, go of it all. It was just non-stop. A grind. I miss that.
REX: And, what do you miss least about being in Rock Star: INXS?
Suzie: The limits on my freedom… Being able to go to the corner store when I want or calling my family. Being sequestered can wear you down a bit.
REX: Although you are Canadian, we didn’t here one ‘Eh’ from you he entire show.
Suzie: Really, you didn’t here one ‘Eh’?
REX: I didn’t.
Suzie: Good. How about from JD?
REX: Nope.
Suzie: Really.
REX: Is the cultural, Canadian ‘Eh’ just not part of your vocabulary?
Suzie: Well, I’m just not into stereotypes. And, I have done my best to allow people see me for me… Not simply as a Canadian. Ya know?
REX: I hear ya.
REX: Are you superstitious at all? Did you have any pre-performance acts that you go through?
Suzie: That’s so odd you ask that. There were two things that I did during the show. First, I’m big into numbers. And, I saw 11:11 on clocks all over the mansion. There was one time, I saw the number twice in Deanna’s room. That was freaky. But, I wish on it when I see that number.
REX: And the second superstitious thing?
Suzie: Well. A friend of mine gave me a horseshoe ring that was my good luck charm for the elimination shows. The weird part was I would lose it and then find it right before the show. Then, on the last elimination show… I couldn’t find it! I looked. No luck! I found it the other day when I was going through my bag. Rats! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I should have that ring on last Wednesday!
REX: Talk to me about the stage dive during Start Me Up… Was that a premeditated, strategic move to show how bad you wanted it? Or, was that a spontaneous thing?
Suzie: Yah. So, I didn’t tell anyone about that. I thought about doing it that day. It’s pretty nerve racking. I couldn’t go backwards. That’s nuts. So, I went forwards. It was cool how the audience spun me around.
But, you’re right, at that moment I was feeling more and more confident. And, I got back to what brought me into the show… The music. That song fucken rocks!!!! And, I remember thinking, “If I’m going Home… I’m going out with a bang!”
REX: Is it rare that you slurp wine off men’s toes or is that a twisted fetish of yours?
Suzie: [She laughs.] Did they tell the story behind that on the show?
REX: Not that I saw.
Suzie: Well. JD and I were fighting. We have this kind of love / hate relationship thing going on. And, it was his birthday. I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said that he’d like to have a woman suck wine off his toes. So, I gave him his birthday wish.
REX: Right on… That’s hot. Did you two ever hook up?
Suzie: Nah. I meant love / hate in a brotherly kind of way.
REX: Got it… On the last elimination did you think you were going Home?
Suzie: Actually, no. Marty, JD and I thought it was in the cards for me to stick around. Both for ratings and we thought that INXS truly might want a female in the band to mix it up.
But, I have to tell you that whole show is a mind fuck. You never know which way is up. You hear things here. And, you hear some things over there. It’s really tough to have any idea what’s next.
REX: On a scale of 1-10, how sexy would you rate yourself?
Suzie: Huh. [Silence] I’d say I have sexy moments. Maybe I’m more goofy than sexy. I don’t know. [Pause] I would probably say a 7.5.
REX: You were very open with your emotions during the gig. We saw you tear up a number of times. What was most challenging for you during this whole experience?
Suzie: I’m a very emotional person. I’m sensitive. If I’m feeling something you see it. That’s just how I am.
REX: People talk about the transformation of Suzie McNeil, do you feel like you have been transformed?
Suzie: Initially when I heard that… I was not into it at all. But then, I took a step back, and I thought about how I have really changed during this process. Most importantly, I think I have a lot more faith in myself.
REX: What is next for you?
Suzie: I’m going to put out a cd. I really want to record a cd. I may have to learn to dishes again to pay the bills. But, I will do it. I will put out a cd.
REX: Best of luck Suzie. I really appreciate the time!
Suzie: No worries.
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