Yup, the gregarious and funny singer will be performing this week — in the Second Group of the Top 36! Will he advance to the American Idol season 8 finals? That remains to be seen and before we come to that, let’s get to know Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell =) In a 15-minute interview with The News-Times, the semifinalist from Brookfield High School revealed how he’s enjoying the American Idol experience. Nick Mitchell says the pressure “is a lot, but it’s awesome. I’ve been open about this from the beginning — I never expected to get this far in the competition. I’m a different kind of contestant. I’m a comedian more than a singer. I didn’t even think I’d get past the first round.”

For those not in the know, Nick Mitchell is the second Brookfield High School graduate, along with Julia DeMato, to advance on American Idol. He shared, “I was actually in chorus with her. It’s crazy. Julia was definitely awesome. I haven’t been able to talk to her about this yet.” As for his family’s support, Norman Gentle’s alter-ego says, “My dad and my family have been so supportive. When I quit baseball to do musicals in high school, instead of bringing me to a Yankee game each year, my dad brought me to a Broadway show. He adapted to me. He is the best father in the world.”

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