Leah Marlene Feeling 'Lost, Confused, Stuck' After 'American Idol' Stint

American Idol finalist Leah Marlene has revealed that she's feeling "deeply alone" in the months since she missed out on clinching the coveted crown from the televised singing contest.

After vying for a deal with Hollywood Records, Marlene landed in third place on this year's season of the ABC show, placing behind HunterGirl, and victor Noah Thompson.

And in the months since the May finale, Marlene admitted in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday that life has been "really freaking hard" as her struggle to get a foot in the industry door continues.

"I could write a novel about my experience coming off of American Idol," she captioned a video of herself performing an emotional ballad. "Moral of the story is that it has been really freaking hard. I have been working my ass off nonstop to make something happen out of this and I feel like I'm going in never ending circles."

"I feel very misunderstood by the industry and it has made me question everything about who I am and what I want," she went on. "I love my friends so much and am so incredibly happy and proud to see them thriving post show, but in my own selfish little world the comparison game has made these few months that much harder.

"I know I have countless people that are so proud of me and believe in me so deeply. And I know that we are all on our own journey and our own timeline. But somehow I just feel so deeply alone in this experience.

"I'm at the point of complete emotional exhaustion and I can no longer pretend like it all doesn't phase me. I feel incredibly lost, confused, stuck, and beyond all things, frustrated. I do recognize that many things have changed in my life because of the show, but in almost every way I still have found myself back at square one."

Continuing to share her feelings in the comments section, Marlene—who was a firm fan favorite during her run on Idol—insisted that she is not expecting overnight success, having diligently pursued a career in music for several years.

"Anybody that knows me knows that I have been putting my EVERYTHING into pursuing this dream for well over 6 years now (+ the 7 years of performing and learning my craft even before that)," she wrote.

"I didn't just come on this show with no experience and a naive little dream of pop stardom. I have been putting the work in for over half of my life time. So it feels pretty s***ty to feel like I'm back at the start all over again after such a promising opportunity.

"I know my value and I know that I have something incredibly unique and important to contribute to music and to this world. I just wish somebody that had any power could see it too (and not be afraid of the work it takes to think outside of the box and take the road less traveled in an industry of quick money and apathy)."

Showing a glimmer of optimism, the musician concluded her post by writing: "I know this season is paving the way for something so beautiful in the future and it's all going to be alright. I just can't not be transparent about this current season not being the dream come true that so many people that follow me here think it is.

"Thank you for your endless encouragement, love and support. Here's to brighter days ahead!"

After missing out scooping the Idol crown back in May, Marlene told her followers in an Instagram post at the time that "this is the only the beginning for every single one of us and this is where the real work starts and I hope you guys will stick with me because I am ready to work my ass off and make this dream a reality in the real world.

"That's all. A great big thank you, [from] every part of me. I feel like the biggest winner, the luckiest person in the world to have experienced everything I have experienced with the show. I wouldn't have wanted anything to go any other way than it has."