Indian Idol 16 winner interview: I am jumping with
excitement as Jyotirmayee has emerged as the ultimate winner of Indian
Idol season 16, taking home the shiny trophy. Since the beginning of the
show, I was rooting for her to secure victory.
After
months of intense competition, power-packed performances and multiple
rehearsals, Jyotirmayee won Indian Idol 16. I got an opportunity to talk
to the talented singer after her victory over a phone call. Her
excitement was easily evident in our call.
In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Assistant
Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Jyotirmayee opened up about her emotional
victory and also got candid about the struggles behind the success.
As
she spoke about her admiration for Shreya Ghoshal, Jyotirmayee Nayak
revealed what the Bollywood singer told her after she won the Indian
Idol 16 finale. Jyotirmayee also shared her thoughts on manifesting her
victory on Indian Idol 16, her future aspirations, and why representing
Odisha means everything to her.
Here are excerpts from the interview-
Q. Congratulations on winning Indian Idol 16! What was your first emotion after lifting the trophy?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: We had waited for this moment for a long time, so I was
extremely happy. But honestly, the win wasn't easy at all. It was a very
tough journey, and that's exactly why this victory feels so special.
Q. How has Indian Idol transformed you as an artist and as a person?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: There has been a huge transformation in me. Initially, I had
faced many rejections, and I wasn't very confident about what would
happen next. But after reaching the Top 16, everything changed. The
rehearsals became more intense, the grooming sessions helped me grow,
and I learned how to prepare myself professionally. That's when my real
journey actually began.
Q. Throughout the season, you performed before several legendary singers. What was that experience like?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: It was an unforgettable experience. We grew up watching these
artists on television, and suddenly they were sitting in front of us,
listening to us sing. We celebrated them on the show, and they even
performed for us. Watching them so closely helped us understand their
singing techniques. I learned a lot from every guest who came on the
show.
Q. How did your family react when they found out you had won Indian Idol 16?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: My parents were confident that I would win, and they were
extremely happy. Coming from Odisha, I always felt a responsibility to
make my state proud. My language isn't as widely spoken across the
country, and not many contestants from Odisha get opportunities like
this. My dream was always to do something meaningful for my state, and
I'm happy I could achieve that.
Q. Looking back, which three performances from Indian Idol 16 are closest to your heart?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: If I have to choose three, they would be Meri Story, Nimbuda
Nimbuda, and Hungama Ho Gaya. Each performance showcased a different
side of me, and I thoroughly enjoyed performing them.
Q. Have you taken time to celebrate or pamper yourself after the victory?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: (Laughs) Not really. Right now I'm on my way to meet Hariharan
Sir. Work has already started, and I don't want to stop. I've worked
hard for the last two to three years, and I want to continue doing
concerts, shoots, and music projects. I'll celebrate properly once I go
back to my hometown.
Q. You mentioned believing in manifestation. Can you tell us more about that?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: Yes. I had actually kept a wallpaper on my phone imagining
myself as the winner. It was my little message to the universe. But I
was never overconfident. I always believed in working hard and staying
grounded. When this finally happened, it felt completely surreal.
Q. What are your aspirations after Indian Idol 16? Playback singing or independent music?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: Right now, I feel independent music has tremendous potential.
Even emotional independent songs can reach millions of people. There are
already some people who want to work with me, so I'm focusing on
creating good music. I'm sure the right opportunities will come with
time.
Q. Are you prepared for the attention and fame that comes after becoming the Indian Idol winner?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: Yes, I think I'm ready. It's been a few days since the finale,
and I'm still trying to absorb the fact that I'm the winner. At the same
time, I'm also preparing myself to work even harder because this is
only the beginning.
Q. Have you thought about how you'll use your prize money?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: Not yet. Once I receive it, I'd definitely like to invest it
wisely. That's something I'll think about carefully.
Q. Shreya Ghoshal has always been one of your biggest inspirations. What did she say after your victory?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: You'll see it in the finale episode. She introduced me before my
final performance, and that moment meant everything to me. She is like
God to me. She's been my inspiration for years, and getting the
opportunity to learn from her is one of the biggest blessings of my
life. Shreya ma'am congratulated me and said that I deserved to win the
show.
Q. Finally, what would you like to tell everyone who voted for and supported you throughout this journey?
Jyotirmayee
Nayak: Honestly, I knew people liked me, but after the show ended, I
realized just how much love I had received. So many people genuinely
wanted me to win. I'm deeply grateful for every blessing, every vote,
and every bit of support. I promise to keep working hard and making
everyone proud.
We extend our heartiest congratulations to Jyotirmayee Nayak.