What does Kelly need to do to survive the pressure cooker of fame?
For anyone it really comes down to family. I loved that her mother was crying during the final episode while her father was chewing gum, chomping away like he was watching a baseball game. That was perfect! On the other hand, Justin's father, the prodigal father, was singing and grooving in $2,000 suits that you know Justin is going to be paying for a week from now.

Will Kelly always be stuck with the ''American Idol'' label?
When I had a top 10 record as a solo act, I thought, No one will ever call me a New Kid on the Block again. But that's just not true. So the important thing is that, when you're doing what's right for you, you don't worry about that as much. It's hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind of fame, and the New Kids definitely went through it, but that's where family and your friends become so important.

Kelly is surely being swarmed with fans everywhere she goes. What's the pop star secret to surviving the onslaught?
I'm honest with my fans. If I'm playing a concert and they won't stop calling out for old songs, I'll say, ''C'mon, no more New Kids s---.'' But as my father would say, ''It's showbiz. You can't take yourself too seriously.''

Any pointers for the other finalists?
Sorry, but Nikki couldn't sing her way out of a paper bag. But she should do eight shows a week in Vegas. That would be cool.