American Idol

Danny Noriega performs last week at an American Idol premiere party in Los Angeles.

Danny Noriega has something to say to all those haters out there.

“I’m not down with people being mean to me who don’t even know me.”

You can imagine the head bob and hair flip — signature parts of the Season 7 American Idol semi-finalist’s time on the show. It goes hand-in-hand with the comment he directed at judge Simon Cowell, “Somebody ain’t likin’ it.” The phrase may be one of the most quoted comebacks in Idol history.

But Danny gets serious with me when talking about all the negative response to his “character” on the show. Many of the responses were posted as comments to YouTube videos, and others came in the form of posts at VoteForTheWorst.com.

“Let me be honest with you for a minute. I read it, and I cried,” Danny told me, referring to comments made on the popular site that campaigns to get the most votes for the individuals they consider the least talented on the show.

That may have been the moment when the now 19-year-old entertainer decided to only look forward with his career.

As soon as his manager, Suzy Sachs, introduced Danny to me to kick off our phone interview last week, it was clear I was talking to the one and only Danny Noriega. The spunky singer and will-be actor hardly took time to breathe when offering responses to my questions.

He was sitting in front of an acting school and had a short break, just enough time for my questions, and then it was back to work. His biggest project right now is a new TV show pilot, The Danny Dish.

“It’s basically my fun take on American Idol,” Danny says. “I’m saying a lot of fun things that I really couldn’t say when I was under contract with them.”

He says the premise of the show is for him to respond to what’s going on with this season’s contestants and to share with viewers who he favors. With just two audition episodes having aired, Danny admits he already has a favorite — Cody Sheldon, the teenager some already have compared to Danny himself.

“I looked him up, and he’s amazing,” Danny says of Cody. “He’s like a little firecracker.”

It’s not just the acting and TV work that’s keeping Danny busy. He’s working on his EP, Carnival, which is expected for a spring release.

“I’m taking it day by day,” he says. “I’m recording some stuff. I’m focusing on music, of course.

“I would love to hook up with my bestie Ramiele,” he adds, referring to fellow Idol contestant Ramiele Malubay.

Suzy then reminds Danny he is hooking up with Ramiele for a recording project. They are recording a song for the soundtrack of the upcoming film We Got the Beat. The film, expected out this year, stars Robert Hoffman (Step Up 2: The Streets) and Michael Copon (Bring It On: In It to Win It).

“I forgot about that,” Danny laughs. “I have so much on my mind.”

“Of course me and Ramiele are attached at the hip,” Danny adds. The two celebrated Danny’s birthday together and, “Literally, I’m not even kidding you, I was texting her just before this call.”

Obviously, not everyone is a Danny hater. He has plenty of fans — you have to have quite a bit of support to crack into the viewer-voted Top 24 — and many of them want to see those characteristics repeated that so many have mocked. Danny says it’s a regular thing for people, especially his young fans, to approach him and say, “Do the head bob!”

“I’m like, ‘Dude, I’ll make a YouTube video about it later, don’t even trip,’” he says.

5 QUICK QUESTIONS WITH DANNY NORIEGA

1. Who is your favorite American Idol contestant of all time?
“I really , really, really loved … Kelly Clarkson, and I love Kellie Pickler. She’s so adorable; she’s like a little button.”

2. What do you think Kara DioGuardi would say about you?
“Actually, I was thinking about that the other day. I was really scared about what she would have to say … she’s really feisty.”

3. What is the last movie you saw in a theater?
“Quarantine. My friend hated it. I really loved it.”

4. Who is the artist you most would want to collaborate with?
“I love a lot of female artists. I love Kanye West. I love Britney, and I love Pink. Those are the three I would love to collaborate with.”

5. What do you want people to remember Danny Noriega for in 10 years?
“I just want them to know me as a kid who had a dream and is making it happen. I am a real person, and it doesn’t take that much to just be yourself and go out there and do what you have to do.”