This exclusive is brought to you by AI Now's Josh Skinner!

American Idol's eighth season was definitely a media-fueled frenzy that featured the battle for the number one spot between glam rock's Adam Lambert and down to earth Kris Allen, but under all of the media attention lies the brilliant and spunky seventeen year old, Allison Iraheta. Iraheta is no stranger to the limelight; at age fourteen she competed and won the Telemundo reality singing competition, Quinceañera, taking home a grand prize of $50,000, but unfortunately the promised recording contract never materialized. Two years later, she made her mark on the entertainment industry with her consistently strong performances on American Idol, finishing in fourth place and finally signing a recording contract with Jive Records.

Iraheta's debut album "Just Like You" may be the greatest hidden gem to come out of Season Eight. Debuting at #35 on Billboard's Top 200, the album carries irresistible sounds produced by several mega-hit producers like Max Martin and Kevin Rudolph. Iraheta's debut may be one of the best pop albums of 2009 and stands on its own next to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen's debut releases. 19 Entertainment has successfully created three unique albums for their appropriate markets, and "Just Like You" is exactly the pop/rock album you'd want from Iraheta.

In my interview, Iraheta and I discuss the current season of American Idol and all the changes the franchise is currently going through. We attack some of your fan questions about her album and tour, and touch upon her brilliantly choreographed vocals on the song "Scars," which is reminiscent of a modern day Janis Joplin.

Allison Iraheta is exactly what I thought she would be; honest, a little rough around the edges, and not afraid to be herself. There's an element of coolness she possesses because she is very much herself and is not trying to be something she's not, which is especially refreshing in a town of cookie-cutter pop stars. Let's hope her next single shows America that there's "a girl called Allison Iraheta" and she's here to stay.

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