American Idol Season 9 finalist Katie Stevens is still a teenager, but she gets to spend her summer touring around the country with the Top 10 American Idols of 2010. While in Tampa, Florida with the tour, Katie chatted exclusively with AmericanIdol.com about how the show changed her life, being accompanied by her brother, and more.

Katie said that the best part about being on tour “is being with the rest of the Idols, meeting the fans, and getting to say ‘thank you’ in person to all of the people who made this possible for me.”

When the tour rolled through Katie’s hometown, she got to perform for hundreds of her closest family and friends, among other local fans. “It was so awesome. I had 200 family members and friends at the first show, and close to 400 at the next one! They made these little signs with my face on a stick, and it was so weird to look out at the audience and see a bunch of my faces staring back,” Katie laughed.

We asked MyIdol members to submit their questions for Katie, and Simpsonsfan wanted to know how Katie’s life would be different if she did not audition for American Idol, and also what sacrifices she made to follow her dreams. Katie shared, “If I hadn’t made it on Idol I would be getting ready for college right now. So I’m giving up that and I gave up my senior year of high school. But I would never trade this for the world. This has been the most amazing experience ever and I’m so thankful for it.”

Since she’s still a minor, Katie has been accompanied by her brother Ryan on tour. “He’s 20 years old and he’s going into his junior year in college. He’s spending the summer with me on tour. He’s gained his own following; after one show some fans created a Team Ryan Twitter account. It’s not a bad summer job for him!”

During Season 9, Katie struggled to find songs that were younger and fit her style. Now that she’s on tour, she gets to sing age-appropriate songs that represent her well. “It was difficult to pick songs on the show that were younger because we were confined to the specific theme weeks, so it was good to get the opportunity to sing what I want on tour.” Katie also predicts that her future album would be a collaboration of the kind of songs she sings on the tour.

When the Idols tour the country they get to meet their fans all over America. Katie said, “All the fans are so sweet and they’ve been giving me Silly Bandz. I have great fans and it has been so great to see them. I always thank them during my set on stage and when I meet them face-to-face. It’s amazing to hear them say how I’ve inspired them.”

Once the tour is over, Katie hopes to continue making music. “Hopefully I’ll be signed to a record label. I’m writing songs now that could be put on an album. I also want to do some acting and I plan on taking classes and testing those waters.”

To the Season 10 hopefuls that are currently going through the audition process, Katie offers up the following advice: “I always heard this while I was auditioning, and past Idols have always said it’s so important to stay true to yourself and be confident. Until you are there, you’ll never know how true it is. Go into it with your whole heart and be passionate.”

Katie would like to say “Thank you to my fans for allowing me to live out my dreams. I’m getting to do what I love because of you. My fans are the best!”

View photos of Katie performing on the Idols Live! 2010 Tour.

Read our exclusive tour interviews with:
Lee DeWyze
Casey James
Crystal Bowersox