Realistic expectations and a strong foundation have helped Idol Top 5 finalist Shane Wiebe perform his best every week despite spending most of his time on the brink of elimination and receiving the lion's share of criticism.

For the Abbotsford, B.C. resident, climbing his way out of the dreaded "bottom three" for four straight weeks became an exciting challenge.

"It was very challenging, week after week, to be there and know that you were going to have to raise the bar, otherwise, by natural way of motion, you were gonna be going home next week…I knew it was going to be tough but it was a fun challenge," Wiebe says.

More than once, Wiebe has had his jaw drop during the announcement of the results. Always prepared for the inevitable send-off, Wiebe's face has portrayed the look of shock when a name instead of his would be called to receive the terrible news.

"I knew that if I expected to go and I didn't go then it was going to be a great surprise. If I expected to go and I did, then it wouldn't be so hard to accept," Wiebe explains.

Yet, perhaps it was his willingness to step out of the box and tweak his performances week after week that has allowed the singer to hang on all the way to the halfway mark of the tough competition.

Judge Jake Gold even called Wiebe a "manager's dream" for his readiness to take criticism and instruction and apply them to his singing and showmanship.

For the singer with the squeaky-clean wholesome image, taking risks and busting out of his comfort zone were all part of the fun.

Wiebe says he loved performing The Darkness' I Believe in a Thing Called Love as it challenged the viewers' perception of his capabilities, proving perhaps that he, too, can rock out.

"It was so fun running around and being nuts and shattering everyone's little box that they've made for me," laughs Wiebe. "It was really fun to do that.

"Just the expression on people's faces when I walked out was enough to make the whole thing worthwhile."

As for naming his toughest performance, he doesn't hesitate to admit it was Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons -- a song in which he fumbled some of the lyrics.

"I found myself quite exhausted. It was a very difficult performance to get through," Wiebe admits.

"When you do forget words it takes a lot for you to make the decision to pick yourself up and carry on. And that's what I did. I had to because, otherwise, I'd just stand there and continue to forget words and it would be two and a half minutes of the most awkward silence you've ever heard in your life."

Wiebe credits his wife, family and faith for his ability to bounce back and handle criticism and pressure.

"When you have a strong foundation, it takes a lot to topple you over. It takes a lot for you to compromise who you are and I have that strong foundation in God and in the people that I've loved and the people that I have around me," Wiebe says.

It seems the well-grounded married man also took on the role of "mom" to the Idols in their temporary home in the mansion, helping them with assorted issues, including how to wash certain clothes.

"I've lived on my own for quite a while," he says. "Just the life path that I've chosen for myself has resulted in me being a lot more mature for my age."

For now, Wiebe is becoming reacquainted with his real home and enjoying the sunny weather back in Abbotsford -- the same hometown of remaining Top 4 finalist Jacob Hoggard.

With the two hopefuls hailing from the same city, it seemed natural for them to discuss the pressures of competition and the difficult task of being the first person to go home.

"This isn't necessarily an actuality. It's just a perception thing for us," Wiebe explains. "We had talked about whoever went home first was going to have a hard time feeling like [h]e'd been surpassed, feeling like what [h]e'd done was somehow worth less because of the fact that someone from Abbotsford was still in it."

But for Wiebe who says he's "fully content" about the outcome of the competition, the future remains bright.

The 21-year-old, who can now add "Idol finalist" to his list of other designations -- perogie salesman, pilot, student and husband -- is keeping his options open.

"For now, I'm going to play it easy. I'm going to enjoy the time I have off."

Eye on Idol