Beat-boxer and American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis says he is glad he didn’t win the reality music talent show.

“I never looked at it as winning and losing. I just tried going out and performing really well each day,” the 25-year-old says. “In a sense, I’m kind of glad I didn’t win just for like contractual reasons. I think if you’re first you might have to come back for like three years or something.”

Not that Lewis, who spoke to reporters on a conference call Friday, wants to distance himself from the show. “American Idol is such an amazing show and experience,” he adds. “I honestly didn’t care one bit [about] winning or losing, because I call myself a winner just by getting into the top 10.”

Still no word just yet on when a Blake Lewis-Clay Aiken concert will take place.