Chad Doucette meets fans on MTV Live the day after his elimination. Tyler Lewis and Chad Doucette shake hands after hearing the results.

Chad returned to Idol with more maturity, skill

Updated Thu. Aug. 31 2006 8:28 PM ET

Eye on Idol

When Chad Doucette tried out for Canadian Idol this year (after making it as far as Top 48 in Season 3), he knew he'd have to kick it up a notch to impress the show's judges a second time.

It had been a year of steep learning curves for the Nova Scotia teen -- both in terms of maturity and musical skill -- and the judges seemed to sense it right from the start.

"We're never going to meet a 17-year-old that's got more stuff going on than this guy. I'm telling you right now," said an enthusiastic Jake Gold before handing Doucette his gold ticket.

Throughout the season, all four judges continually remarked on his distinct voice, but also on how much he'd grown up.

From that day right up to his elimination this week at Top 4, Doucette, now 18, seemed bent on proving them right -- over and over again.

"I just feel like I've really matured a lot as an artist," he said, noting he feels more in touch with himself now, making it easier to give a convincing performance.

"It wouldn't seem like a year is a lot... but I had a busy year and it really did change me as a person.

"In terms of singing, I think my voice has grown... I've begun writing songs a lot more often."

But if he thought he'd changed a lot over the year, it was nothing compared to the transformation that would occur at the fast-paced speed of a singing television star.

"From my first performance of 'Tonight I Wanna Cry' in Top 22 to my last one I feel like a completely different person," he told Eye on Idol moments after his elimination. "I've just gotten a certain comfort level and a certain ease being on stage in front of people. It's something I enjoy. It's not something I get nervous from."

Another big change Doucette noticed was the sudden onslaught of female attention. Each week, more Bristol board signs bearing his name dotted the studio audience and more ladies stood in line for autographs at the end of the show.

"I see a few female signs here and there. You know, 'I love you Chad' and all that stuff," said a modest but grinning Doucette. "It's all very flattering. Before the competition there were maybe a few people who found me slightly attractive. If that changes, it's probably because of the makeup more than anything.

"If it's coming from females, that's great. I'm a big fan of them, too."

The enthusiastic fan base should prove helpful for his next endeavor, which in recent weeks has changed from attending journalism school to pursuing a music career.

"They had offered me a one-year scholarship so I had to unfortunately turn that down," said Doucette, who hopes to co-write his debut album with someone more knowledgeable of the industry. "When you go through this type of competition you really have to take advantage of the situation and the opportunity you've been given."

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