'Idol' Doolittle says she did all right

HOLLYWOOD, May 18 (UPI) -- Melinda Doolittle says she took the disappointment of being eliminated from the "American Idol" Hollywood stage better than she thought she would.

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be," she told the New York Daily News. "I thought I was going to lose it."

Doolittle was the odd singer out when it came time for the viewing public to vote to determine which two performers would advance to next week's final. Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks got the nod.

"I really feel, personally, that I've won," Doolittle said. "All of the judges were so sweet to me afterwards and really encouraging about what's to come."

Doolittle said the biggest thing she takes away from the ABC program was that she found her "own voice."