Exclusive Interview with Yoji “Pop” Asano, contestant on Season 10 of American Idol(4)

Reactions after broadcast: Phone calls from the media


Q. What were the reactions around you after your audition was aired?

A. I’ve gotten mostly positive reactions. I’ve gotten lots of calls from radio stations that somehow got a hold of my number. I did an interview with TMZ.com, and I think my spot was even shown on CNN.

TMZ.com’s Article: ’Idol’ Reject Yoji Pop -- I CAN Dance Like MJ!


They also wrote about me in the New York Times. In total they wrote about five American Idol applicants who gave an “interesting” audition. I was lumped in with the weirdoes! I guess out of all the applicants there were five who were a bit weird.

I also appear on Billboard’s website as #1 in their "American Idol Premiere: Top 5 Auditions." I was so excited to get my first #1, but I have to work hard so I can get another #1 with my song and album.

Billboard’s Article: ’American Idol’ Premiere: Top 5 Auditions, from Yoji ’Pop’ to Devyn Rush


Q. In this time of social networking and technology, the reactions on YouTube and Twitter have been huge. Are you interested in Japan’s reaction to your appearance?

A. Yeah, I’ve been told by people around me that there was a lot being written about me, and I started to look it up. I guess I do care about what’s being said. I’m currently being referred to as “The embarrassment of Japan,” though. (lol)


Q. What about your family’s reaction?

A. They’re happy for me. I showed them the article that you wrote about me and they were pretty excited.


Q. Have you gotten any offers to appear on Television?

A. Not in America. I’ve gotten a few requests from Japanese broadcast companies and news programs, but I think it’s too early for me to appear on Japanese TV so I turned them down. I haven’t reached my full potential yet, so I think if Japanese people were to see me as I am now they wouldn’t understand me. In Japan, I would be introduced as “The first Japanese to appear on American Idol,” but in America I’m already recognized as being the artist, “Yoji Pop.” In this case, you’re writing about me as an individual, which is great. If I were to go on Japanese TV though, it might result in me being misunderstood. So I decided to turn down the offers.


Q. After your audition was broadcast, did your appearances at clubs increase at all?

A. No, they haven’t. I want to focus on singing now, and promoting my single.




Musician activities: Release of first single


Q. Is the song available on iTunes an original piece?

A. Yes, everything about it. I composed the lyrics and the music. There was some input from my producer but it was mostly my creation. The first single, “The Power”, has been pretty well received here in the U.S., but I don’t know what reactions in Japan have been like.


Q. What’s your main goal, currently?

A. Right now, I’m focusing all my efforts on getting a recording deal.


Q. How do you think you will achieve that?

A. No matter how you look at it, it’s all intuition, waiting for the right moment. Of course I’ll work at it and do my best to succeed, but I can’t go against the tide. I have to leave some of it up to fate.


Q. So you’ll continue to write songs as well as make club appearances?

A. That’s right.

NEXT:(5)No chance of a repeat performance of “Party in the USA?” >>

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