Ace Young is not ready to fold.

Despite being eliminated from American Idol this week, the 25-year-old heartthrob sees a bright future for himself and has nothing but kind words for everyone on the hit series.

He says he loves his fellow contestants, respects judge Simon Cowell, who constantly insulted his performances, and would "step in front of a train" for his Idol roommate Chris Daughtry.

"I'm really close with Chris -- he's a very good man. He is what you want in a marriage as far as a very direct and loyal guy. Deanna (Daughtry's wife) is very lucky to have him."

That's why, Young says, it was upsetting to learn he and Daughtry -- who have been called the Ben Affleck and Matt Damon of Idol -- were both in this week's bottom two.

"I received good statements from the judges so I really thought I was safe," he says.

"But when we found out we were in the bottom three, I was more surprised Chris was there. I think it was a really good wake-up call for his fans."

Once the results were in, and Young was out, he took to the stage to sing the appropriately-titled, That's All, which he delivered on Tuesday wearing a suit.

"That was the first suit I ever bought in my life. It was $2,000. I was so happy to be able to wear it," he says. "I thought it was a perfect way for me to go out because it was the first show I had my grandparents at ... and my parents from Colorado were able to come out and see the show as well. I felt like I got dressed up for them and ... for America."

Despite not getting enough fan support to remain in the running, Young says he is grateful for getting as far as he did.

"The response I receive when I am out and about is overwhelming. I mean, people really like me. They know I'm humble and down-to-earth and if I was anything but, my four older brothers would beat me up."

Young hopes to use his new fame to kick start his singing career and raise money for the Denver Children's Hospital, where he sings every Christmas.

"I don't even ask for presents on Christmas because after I'm done singing there for five to seven hours, room to room, I'm good to go."

While Young does plan to return home, first he'll join this summer's American Idol tour and head into the studio to write and record music.

"I'm not going to stop. I'm a musician -- I've been writing music since I was nine-years-old. I think America is going to be very surprised with what I come up with."