'American Idol': Did Naima Adedapo and Thia Megia Fall Victim to the 'Teenybopper' Vote?

After last night's grim double elimination, ousted 'Idols' Naima Adedapo and Thia Megia took to the phones today to talk about their 'A.I.' experience in a press conference call and look back on the choices they made, for better or, some would argue, worse.

And though the girls were incredibly gracious about their eliminations, noting the top-notch competition they faced from their season 10 peers, Naima and Thia both acknowledged the power of the "teenybopper" vote, in deciding their fates.

"We sort of figured that since there are more females watching the show, the votes would be more for the guys," said Thia. "It's not only that, because the guys are also incredible, but we were a bit worried about that. We were a bit intimidated by all the girls watching the show and just knowing that their votes would be going to the guys." Thia, by the way, happens to be a 16-year-old, herself.Asked about her appeal to 'Idol's' power voters, Naima echoed Thia, to some extent.

"More than 50 percent of the audience is little teenage girls, and once they get a crush, we're done! They dominate and that's all right," said the young Milwaukee mother.

Naima also remarked on her appeal to an older crowd, who might not have been as technologically hip to 'Idol's' text/Facebook voting options. That, coupled with Naima's left-of-center approach to her performances, may have hindered her 'Idol' run.

"I think sometimes people didn't know where to place me or I felt like maybe they didn't understand me sometimes. But honestly, the reactions I got from people have still been positive. They were like 'Hmm, I don't know about you but I kinda like you.' I definitely struck people in a different kind of way and I think that because it was kind of hard to place me in a certain category, that did have an effect on how people voted and how they perceived me."

As for Thia, the cry for less ballads and more upbeat songs did not go unheard by the young yet very experienced performer.

"I do regret not choosing more upbeat songs but the last performance that I did (Elton John's "Daniel"), I don't regret at all because I dedicated that song to my brother and I poured all the emotion that I had inside of me into that song and I don't regret a bit of it. But for the previous weeks, I would have chosen more upbeat songs," said Thia.

Naima also stood firm on her choice to go with reggae-infused performances. "I just wanted to really show every piece of me. That's what I've been trying to do. I've been trying to take opportunities every time to show a new thing, show something different about me and I hadn't really gone roots reggae (before "Elton John night") and that's a big part of me. I love and connect to it," said Naima.

Both also touched on their respective relationships with Lauren Alaina, who was visibly shaken by the departure of the two, last night. While Thia bonded with Lauren during their four-hour school sessions, Naima took more of a maternal role with the young Georgian.

Said Naima, "I think it was very hard for her (Lauren) because not only was it me, going - I've been a mother figure a little bit, I've told her to have confidence and believe in herself and that she's beautiful - but I think even more so it was Thia, that was her ace."

Fortunately, both will be reunited with Lauren in a few short weeks. But the question now is, with four girls gone and only three remaining, will Lauren, Pia and Haley's performances be enough to surmount all those teenage girls sending a stream of endless texts in support of the likes of country boy wonder Scotty and baby-faced Stefano?

We'll have to wait until week's Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Night to find out.


'American Idol' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on FOX.