'American Idol' finalist Blake Lewis back in Seattle

Despite gaggles of screaming fans and the instant fame of being an "American Idol" finalist, Blake Lewis kept it cool Friday on a "hometown visit" financed by the show.

Lewis, one of three finalists on America's favorite reality show, beatboxed on demand, sounding like a human mixing machine. He signed autographs and posed for pictures and handled like a pro all the questions ping-ponged at him.

What he didn't do was predict that he's going to win the competition. That, he said, would likely happen for Jordin Sparks, the teenager from Glendale, Ariz.

But Lewis, 25, who's been noticed on the show for his smooth voice, beatboxing rhythms, funky style and frosted locks, was cool with that too. During morning interviews at KCPQ/13, he said his first goal was to get into the to 10 and then the top four.

His main ambition, he said, is to pursue his music and communicate it to people. A lifelong dream, he added, is to host and be the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live."

But winning "American Idol"? Well, he's good with that too.

"If it happens, great. If not, I'm so happy if I got sent home yesterday. When I made the goal of the top four, that was the goal," said Lewis, who said his musical heroes are the band 311 and musician/producer BT (Brian Transeau).

And despite criticism of too much beatboxing in his performances, he said he won't shy away if it feels right.

"If I feel the performance needs it, I don't care," he said. "I've gotten, you know, criticism for my hair and wearing the wrong shirt. Criticism's criticism. It doesn't really affect me."

His prescription for handling all the hype and the pressure is: "Keep doing me. Keep true to myself." He later added: "I just hope everyone sees how much fun I'm having, because I'm having a blast. The only thing I hope comes across is that I'm communicating my song well with everyone each week."

In a finale, he said he'd love to sing with Sting, but others also came to mind, including Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Bjork. "I'm everywhere in my influences. So much music inspires me."

Lewis has gone further in the pop-singing competition than any entrant from this region. Asked how he would rebound from last week, which judges considered one of his weaker moments, Lewis said, "I think I did well for that moment in time."

He did drop that he hasn't lived by the curfew the show sets for its contestants and goes out just about every night -- to see live music.

"They call me the rebel for that," he said. "I'm not 12 and I don't need to be baby-sat. ... For me, I get all my inspiration from going to live music and being around passionate people."

Friday at the Q13 studios he performed "All Mixed Up" live, followed by some freestyling with the aid of his loop machine and a chaos pad.

Lewis said the hometown support, especially for an "eclectic artist," has been amazing. He called the "American Idol" winnowing process and all of its attendant fame "surreal," and said he hadn't watched the show before auditioning.

"I'm kind of a hermit," he said. I stick to music."

He also gave props to a region that was assailed as the worst source of auditioners for the show by its judges and host.

"There's so much talent here. You can go down to the coffee shop and there's so much talent here," said Lewis, noting that two out of the three finalists -- Sparks is the other -- tried out in Seattle.

Asked what he missed about the area -- which he's been away from for nearly four months -- the Bothell resident said: "I miss the air and the water and pretty much everything about it."

Kara Pierre brought her 9 1/2- month-old son Jensen and some friends to see Lewis at Q13. He didn't get kissed by Lewis, but the baby did manage to tug at Lewis's shiny earring. "We all watch 'American Idol' together, with the babies," Pierre said.

Trailed by an "American Idol" crew and cameras, as well as excited admirers screaming "Go, Blake," wherever he went, Lewis made his way around town in a black and white Ford Excursion stretch limo. He was escorted by Bothell police.

But he managed to snag some private time amid the madness. On Thursday night he had a rehearsal and a private party with friends before overnighting at a downtown hotel. He said he planned to catch the Blue Scholars at the Showbox on Friday night.

At a 12:15 "mini-concert" at Westlake Center, Lewis was set to sing about four songs and have guest performers Sir Mix A Lot and Pat Monahan of Train.

The city of Seattle also planned to proclaim May 11 Blake Lewis Day.