POPSUGAR: Tell me about American Idol. What are the biggest lessons that you learned from being on a competition like that? It's kind of intense.
Syesha Mercado: I learned how to pace myself, and it really taught me a lot about focus. You're constantly just trying to find a balance in life, but with Idol it was a really long process. We had to do interviews, learn dance steps, and learn songs in a very short amount of time. So, I learned how to write out a little to-do list and pace myself, so I'm not tired at the end of the day. I also learned how to do my hair quick. I remember one time there was a BET Awards afterparty, and they literally gave us five minutes to get ready. That's how I learned to use Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding ($22) and blow-dry.
PS: During American Idol, you're mostly covering other artists' songs, but now you're creating stuff on your own. What's that like?
SM: It feels like freedom because I'm my own boss, and I get to do things how I want to do things. That's the best feeling ever — to be able to create freely. I'm actually going to Belize and Guatemala. I'm taking like my studio with me. I'll have video footage and like behind-the-scenes stuff. I'm so happy to create, travel, and do all of it at the same time.
Click here to preview to some of Syesha's new songs from her Fall 2015 album.
