Star Shines Light on Idol's Dark Secrets

The N's Instant Star, which launched its second season just last week (Fridays at 8:30 pm/ET), picks up where the cheer- and tear-filled finales of American Idol leave off, chronicling the travels of Jude Harrison, a young reality-contest champ suddenly thrust into the spotlight and the discord-filled world of pop music. TVGuide.com swapped e-mails with Star's star, Alexz Johnson currently in Germany promoting Final Destination 3 to find out if Instant exposure has affected her.

TVGuide.com: Who put the "z" in Alexz and why? Is it one of those Canadian things I'll never understand, like metrics and poutine?
Alexz Johnson: My mom and dad put the "z" in Alexz my full name is Alexzandra. My mom liked the "z" because it was different!
 
TVGuide.com: Being a singer yourself, do you ever alert producers if a scene or moment rings untrue? Like, would Jude ever really dare defy the label owner's wishes and sing the wrong song, as she did in this season's premiere?
Johnson: Of course! You have to be strong and stay true to yourself. At the end of the day, it's about compromise and working together. You have to trust yourself a little bit.
 
TVGuide.com: What would you say the overall "theme" of Instant Star's Season 2 is?
Johnson: "Be careful what you wish for it might come true."

TVGuide.com: This week's episode almost mirrors the recent flap between Kelly Clarkson and American Idol, where it looked like she had "turned her back" on where she got her start and wouldn't let them use her songs....
Johnson: Art imitates life....

TVGuide.com: Has Jude's career trajectory mirrored your own at all? Meaning, do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the spotlight you've been thrust into?
Johnson: Sometimes. But that comes with the territory.

TVGuide.com: Who's your favorite costar to hang with off set?
Johnson: I couldn't pick just one! They're all great and offer different bits of greatness.
 
TVGuide.com: Are or were you an American Idol fan? If so, who is your favorite of the four champs Kelly, Fantasia, Ruben or Carrie?
Johnson: Never really tuned in.... They all seem like great singers. I'm more into artists who wouldn't win American Idol, like [Bob] Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Peter Gabriel....
 
TVGuide.com: What has been your favorite pre-Instant Star acting experience? Is acting something you're hungry to do even more of?
Johnson: Music is my No. 1 passion, but acting is a great job. I had a blast dancing and singing in [Showtime's] Reefer Madness.
 
TVGuide.com: How was it filming your horror-feature debut, Final Destination 3? Do you wish that your character, Erin, had, um, "lasted longer"?
Johnson: I had a blast! Great cast. Love [costar] Kris Lemche [aka Joan of Arcadia's "Cute Boy God"], and shooting the death scene was the best part.

TVGuide.com: Will you ever look at a nail gun the same way again? (Have you ever looked at a nail gun?)
Johnson: Uh, sure, I've seen a nail gun. They sure look painful!