Carly Rae Jepsen Recalls 'Boot Camp' Experience Of 'Idol'

Before Carly Rae Jepsen was singing about phone calls from strangers, she was just another hopeful on reality TV. The "Call Me Maybe" singer's first shot at pop superstardom was as a contestant on "Canadian Idol" in 2007, it was an emotional process.

"I remember being on 'Idol' myself. It was one of the most intense boot camps of all time, but also one of the best experiences of my life," she told about her third-place run on the show; she lost to season five winner Brian Melo.

And while she hasn't caught much of this current season of "American Idol," she has this advice for the starry-eyed wannabes: "I'm really feeling for all of the contestants and hoping that they're enjoying this process. And [I'm] looking forward to the ['American Idol'] finale."

Why, you ask? Well, she'll be on hand for the finale in May to perform her fan-voted "Perfect Harmony" campaign tune. Until then, she's hoping that fiery MC and "Idol" judge Nicki Minaj doesn't go too hard on the contestants vying for superstardom this season.

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"I always find the people who have the most harsh opinions to be the most entertaining, but I think that there is something to be said about needing to be constructive. So I'm hoping that [is the case]. You know, I can remember being in that position. It was always terrifying when the mean judge from Canada would say his piece, so I hope that she's being sweet to them as well," she said. "And knowing Nicki, I'm sure she is."

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