Former “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle returned to St. Louis, her youthful stomping grounds, and she was definitely in chill mode.

She was here to talk up Edy’s Slow Churned American Idol ice cream flavors, and also to perform a private mini-concert Wednesday night at a local fan’s home.

Doolittle, who spent her first ten years in St. Louis, says “There’s five new flavors, and just like on ‘Idol,’ we’re letting people decide what they want to stay on the shelves. People can go to www.slowchurned.com and vote for their favorite. I’m campaigning for mint karaoke cookie.”

OK, but who’s going to win “American Idol” this season?

When I caught up with her Wednesday, she had plenty to say on “American Idol” past and present, as well as the shrinking Gateway Arch.

Q. Your smart money would go on which contestant this season?

A. I wish I knew, but I think it’s going to be a boy winner. I think there’s a great top seven, and they did such a great job with Mariah Carey songs. The boys really nailed it. It was harder for the girls because they get that direct comparison. The guys could step out of that Mariah box.

Q. What Mariah Carey song would you have performed?

A. ‘Fly Like a Bird.’ But she just did it on ‘Idol Gives Back’ last week.

Q. What do you see when you look back at your time last year on ‘American Idol?’

A. The group of us being a family. I was the oldest one, so sadly they called me Mama, and those were my babies. I keep in touch with my babies. Also, doing ‘Idol Gives Back’ opened so many doors for me to give back. I’ve been to Africa with the First Lady and been at the White House for an event Colin Powell was hosting. I sat next to the President.

I won’t miss the fear of getting up and being judged every week. That’s really hard. Singing is one of the few jobs you can have where you know immediately if people like you or not.

Q. You seemed shocked whenever the judges said you were great. Do you not know how good you are or was that part of a modest act you perfected?

A. I know I’ve been giving a gift from God. That part I get. But I’d been singing background for so long and then I was singing lead, and I didn’t know how they would respond. The fact that they liked me was shocking and exciting, though they got on my case for looking shocked. But when Simon (Cowell) says you remind him of Gladys Knight, that can blow your mind.

Q. When can your fans expect a Melinda Doolittle CD?

A. I’ve released a version of ‘My Funny Valentine’ on iTunes. I’m working on the album now for this summer. I’m an old school soul girl, so I’m going to be bringing the old school to the new school and putting a little bit of grit on it.”

Q. How different is St. Louis from what you remember?

A. It’s so different. Downtown is very different, and so is Union Station. It looks beautiful and it’s a great place to go, which is different from what I remember. I did wonder why the Arch looks smaller now. A friend told me it’s because I’m bigger.