Suzi Rawn says she'd love to sing a ballad in the Top 10. Seems an unlikely choice for an artist who's been rocking out to Janis Joplin and CCR since her stint on Canadian Idol began. But behind Rawn's flamboyant wild child persona, you'll find a woman who thrives on serenity and humility.

"I feel honoured and privileged to have come this far," says Rawn, who became the eighth hopeful to make Idol's elite group of competitors. "Whatever the outcome, that's all there is to it. The journey is the important part."

She admits her journey to the Top 10 has been a trying one, from the emotional roller-coaster of the Top 100 all the way to the Top 32, where she had to perform live. At first, the idea of singing on air caused her to start "freaking," but as she soon found out, the experience proved more exciting than intimidating.

"Everyone in the crew just made it so comfortable and relaxed. I'm glad we had those people to work with. They made it fun for us," she says.

As a competitor on Canadian Idol, Rawn has had to get used to flying solo. With the spotlight solely on her, the 22-year-old admits it's added "a little more stress" to performing.

"It's just me up there. I usually have a group and we're all in it together," says the lead singer of King Size Suzi. "You sort of have each other to back each other up."

However, gauging from the judges' positive reactions and the outpouring of public support, she won't have much to worry about as she travels alone on the road to Idol glory.

A fountain of calm, Rawn plans to prepare for the summer's big showdown by meditating and surrendering to whatever life brings her way.

"Life is a journey not a destination so just enjoy it," she says.

"It really takes all of your energy just to maintain a centredness that's not attached to outcome. It's just being in the moment and enjoying the moment."

With her positive and come-what-may outlook, nothing it seems can faze the singer in this episode of her life. Well, except for one tiny thing that's tattooed on her shoulder: Jolie.

As she heads back to Kamloops, B.C., Rawn will have only one thing on her mind. That's to give her two-year-old daughter a big hug.

"I miss her. That's going to be the toughest part of the competition, being away from her. She's my purpose and she will be my purpose through this as well."

Eye on Idol