May 27 2006 1:00P G.A.R.M.Y. Waterfront Peace Fest Louisville, KY May 28 2006 12:00P Spirit West Coast Del Mar, CA Jun 10 2006 5:00P Witness/Memorial Park Quarryville, PA Jun 17 2006 7:00P Seed Harvest Praise Explosion (city-wide gospel concert) Ann Arbor, MI Jun 24 2006 8:00P Music Festival New Orleans, LA Jun 29 2006 9:00P Agape Farm Mt. Union, PA Jul 7 2006 7:00P Franklin Graham Crusade Baltimore, MD Jul 8 2006 12:00P 93.9 The Song Family Picnic Indianapolis, IN Jul 15 2006 7:00P Youth Music Conference Daytona Beach, FL Jul 27 2006 9:00P The Gorge Amphitheater George, WA Aug 5 2006 12:00P Spirit West Coast Monterey, CA Aug 20 2006 8:00P Lapeer Days Festival Lapeer , MI Aug 26 2006 8:00P Anniversary Celebration Concert Fairfield, CT Oct 9 2006 7:00P Franklin Graham Crusade Gastonia, NC Oct 14 2006 4:00P George Huff Concert Owensboro, KY
Fantasia's story a TV biopic 'American Idol' winner to play herself
Fantasia Barrino, the High Point teenager who became an "American Idol," will play herself in a Lifetime television movie based on her memoir.
"It's the story of the American dream -- someone who really has a gift and, against all odds and challenges, goes the distance," says actress-choreographer Debbie Allen, who will direct.
Barrino, a single mother, was 19 when she became the 2004 "Idol." Her debut R&B album, "Free Yourself," was released later that year. In her 2005 autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," she revealed that she had been raped as a young teen and that she couldn't read.
"We're really covering most of it -- her whole life, from when she was little, how she was recognized early on as being really gifted, how she lost her path to her gift and to God and her family, and how she found that path again through her talent," says Allen, whose directing credits include the classic series "A Different World" and the current series "All of Us" on UPN. Barrino played herself in a 2005 episode of the latter.
Principal shooting begins this month in New Orleans, and the film is set to premiere in August. Other cast members include Kadeem Hardison ("A Different World") as her father and Viola Davis ("Get Rich or Die Tryin' ") as her mother.
Allen says "American Idol" judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson will either play themselves in reenactments of "Idol" moments or be featured in footage from the show.
LOS ANGELES — Of all the former "American Idol" finalists, the last one you would expect to see at a juvenile detention center is sweet Jasmine Trias (Corey Clark, maybe).
But that's exactly where the third-season third-place
finisher could be spotted a few weeks ago in Los Angeles. She wasn't serving time; she was talking to and hopefully inspiring troubled teens.
"This is something that I've always wanted to do," Trias said. "Not only do I want to sing, but I want to get that inspirational message out to people and let them know that they can also do it. They still have time to turn their lives around."
Since her stint on "Idol," Trias has also been speaking at grade schools in her home state of Hawaii, encouraging students to think about their future.
"I want to talk about how I was able to dream and make it a reality," Trias explained. "How I made the right decisions in life, how 'American Idol' changed my life, and what I'm doing now."
After Trias' "Idol" stint ended, she signed with Clockwork Entertainment (former home of girl group Dream) and released her self-titled debut. The album has so far sold nearly 15,000 copies in America.
All of the songs on the album, with the exception of the barnburner "DJ, Don't Quit," are about relationships, love and boys. Trias worked with songwriters on the album but also let out her own feelings in the material.
"I've been so busy where I haven't really had time to date or anything, but of course I kind of had some guy I was thinking of," Trias said with a laugh.
The track that means the most to Trias is Natalie Cole's "Inseparable," which she performed for the first time on "Idol."
"It's been my signature song ever since," Trias said. "I always sing that song for my fans because they've supported me all the way through 'American Idol' and to this day."
Now Trias is hard at work on her second album, and she said fans can expect to see a different side of her on it.
"I might go a little edgier and put more of a personal touch on it," said Trias, who is exploring different genres. "Maybe write my own songs and put my own songs on the album."
While working on the second album, Trias is also pursuing an acting career. Her first acting experience was in the Philippines, where she was a guest star on Filipino comedy sketch show "OK Fine Whatever." Trias also starred in a short Filipino romance movie as the daughter of a well-to-do family who falls in love with the bodyguard her parents hired to protect her.
The film originated from a song on her first album. Trias said she was excited when she got the part because she was able to act in English and in Filipino.
"It was definitely a challenge for me, but it was so much fun to be on set and to see how all of that works," Trias said. "I'm so used to being in a recording studio, so this was a new experience for me."
Now Trias is trying to take that experience to the big screen in America.
"I'm auditioning for this role that's kind of like a cross between 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and 'Lost in Translation' but targeting a Filipino audience," Trias said.
After "Idol," Trias visited the Philippines and was shocked by the crowd waiting for her at the airport.
"It was absolutely chaotic," Trias said. "It was a huge crowd of people, media everywhere, it was like a riot almost, and I was like, 'Is this for me?' "
Trias hopes to model her career after her idol, Jennifer Lopez.
"Fashion line, perfume line," Trias said. "I want to do it all."
"'Idol" champ Fantasia playing herself in TV movie
At least they got great actors I am very proud of the crew they put together "'Idol" champ Fantasia playing herself in TV movie
By Kimberly Nordyke
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino will play herself in a Lifetime movie that will show how the teenage single mother overcame poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy to win the hit talent show.
The movie, tentatively titled "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story," will premiere in August on the women's cable channel. Debbie Allen will direct from an adaptation of Barrino's autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale."
Viola Davis and Kadeem Hardison will portray her parents, Diane and JoJo Barrino, while Loretta Devine has been cast as her grandmother Addie Collins. Newcomer Jamia Simone Nash will play the young Fantasia.
Choreographer-actress-director Allen's directing credits include UPN's "All of Us" and "Girlfriends," the WB Network's "The Jamie Foxx Show" and NBC's "A Different World."
Tony winner Davis' credits include the feature films "Traffic" and "Get Rich or Die Tryin."' Devine recently appeared in "Crash." Hardison, best known for playing Dwayne Wayne on "A Different World," also appeared in "Biker Boyz."
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
By Mike Reynolds 3/21/2006 6:24:00 PMNew York -- Lifetime Television unveiled an eclectic array of programming during its first upfront presentation presided over by CEO Betty Cohen and entertainment president Susanne Daniels.
Daniels -- whose first major original entry, Cheerleader Nation, bowed earlier this month -- talked up improvisational comedy series Lovespring, from Eric McCormack's (Will & Grace) Big Cattle Production. The show, premiering in June, centers on an elite Beverly Hills matchmaking agency that is really located in Tarzana, Calif.
The following month, Lifetime -- which trotted out the tag, "When you lose yourself inside a story, you might find your own," at the presentation -- will roll out hour-long drama Angela's Eyes. The series tracks an FBI agent who has the gift of knowing when people are lying. The show, starring Abigail Spencer (All My Children), comes from the producers of Oscar winner Crash.
Relative to reality, Election will showcase husband-and-wife political consultants Mary Matalin and James Carville dispensing campaign-manager advice to candidates in a hotly contested high-school election.
Elsewhere, Paws, will go inside a Hollywood pet agency where owners pay to have their pooches go through the paces to get on-screen roles. To Daniels' way of thinking, it's a bit of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show mixed in with an America's Next Top Model.
Importing the talents of a certified Puerto Rican sexologist, Lifetime will give Alessandra Rampolla her own talk show.
On the movie watch, the network emphasized Fantasia: Life Story, a tale behind the American Idol winner (Barrino opened eyes and ears with an early morning performance); The Gwen Araujo Story, based on a real-life story in which a mother (Mercedes Ruehl) raises her son, whose transgender inclinations ultimately lead to his brutal murder; The Mermaid Chair, based on the Sue Monk Kidd novel; and Eight Days to Live, in which The O.C.'s Kelly Rowan sees her family's life get turned upside down.
Sister service Lifetime Movie Network will premiere one exclusively produced telefilm per month beginning in August, kicking off with Soccer Mom Mysteries, which will also be serialized on broadband, as a series of seven-minute installments will be doled out over a 10-month span. LMN.tv (www.lmn.tv) launched Monday night.
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
From some article that I can't remember where lol:
quote:
Season 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo just landed a role as Penny Pingleton in Broadway's Hairspray. In addition to her spots in West Side Story and Brooklyn, that's a lot of musicals. Diana was also presented with the NAMM "Music for Life Award" along with Justin Guarini, for their work on getting music education back into public schools.
Another Season 3 Idol is up for an award. Jasmine Trias, hailing from the Aloha State, is currently nominated for a Hawaii Music Award. She's in the Pop category for her self-titled debut album released last summer. The award winners will be announced in March. Jasmine is also AskMen.com's Singer of the Week this week.
Did I say another Season 3 Idol? I meant three others (including Jasmine). George Huff was just nominated for two Dove Awards (Gospel Music Awards). His single, "Brighter Day" is nominated for Urban Recorded Song of the Year and his album, Miracles, is nominated for Urban Album of the Year. This means George Huff is competing against legends Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, and CeCe Winans. Carrie Underwood is also nominated for Country Recorded Song of the Year for her spiritual single, "Jesus Take the Wheel." The GMAs will take place in April.
The last Season 3 Idol who is eligible for an award is none other than winner Fantasia, who is nominated for FOUR Grammys along with Kelly Clarkson, who is nominated for two. Fantasia's single, "Free Yourself", is honored in the categories of Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. Her album of the same name is up for Best R&B Album, while her original single, "Summertime", is nominated for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Kelly's single, "Since U Been Gone" is in the category of Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and her sophomore album, Breakaway, could win for Best Pop Vocal Album. Kelly will also be performing at the Grammys...don't forget to watch (see the "Apperances" section above for details)!
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
American Idol season three finalist Matthew Rogers and his wife, Teri, welcomed their first child, a son.
Brayden Douglas Rogers was born on April 16. He weighed 8 lbs. and was 21 inches long.
Rogers and Teri Himes, a mortgage processor, were married on Feb. 19, 2005 in Huntington Beach, Calif. Among the 300 guests was 2004 Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, who sang Shania Twain's "From This Moment On" as the bride walked down the aisle.
Rogers, a former mortgage banker and University of Washington football player, was the second of the 12 finalists to be voted off Idol's third season. After his ouster, he worked as offensive line coach at Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School.
The husky crooner and aspiring actor told The Seattle Times in September that he'd gotten his weight down to about 260 lbs. "It's because of Hollywood," he joked.
He now co-hosts American Idol Extra, which airs Thursday on the Fox Reality cable network.
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
American Idol’ -- Show’s fans miss their favorites, can’t wait to see who wins
By WENDY JEFFCOAT, T&D Staff Writer Tuesday, May 23, 2006
People living in The T&D Region seemed to be split Tuesday on who they support to become this year’s “American Idol.”
Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee squared off for the coveted title awarded to America’s favorite prime-time singer last night. The winner will be announced tonight.
While many of the individuals The T&D spoke with had favorites voted off earlier in the season, they planned to watch the Hicks/McPhee showdown nonetheless.
“I’m rooting for the girl. I think she’s cute, and I think her stage presence is better than the other guy’s,” said Orangeburg resident Abram Staten.
Staten said he starting watching the fifth season of American Idol just last week, when only three hopefuls remained — Hicks, McPhee and Elliott Yamin, whose dream came to an end Wednesday, May 17.
He said the show seems to be heading in a new direction, trying to appeal to a more diverse audience with singers such as the 29-year-old Birmingham, Ala. native Hicks, who has more adult appeal with his old-soul feel, original song choices and smoky-smooth voice.
McPhee, a 22-year-old from Sherman Oaks, Calif., seems to be more popular among younger fans, with her youthful beauty, hip style and wide vocal range.
“I think they’re trying to do something different because it’s becoming a fad now,” Staten said. “If I was a producer, to make money, I would go with her (McPhee). No one’s really going to buy his (Hicks’) CD, but we’ll see what happens.
“I don’t think they’re ever going to have another Fantasia.”
Fantasia Barrino finished on top in season three of American Idol with her smooth, soulful R&B voice and won millions over with her rendition of “Summertime” from the Broadway hit “Porgy and Bess.”
Charlese Whaley of Cordova said she has been keeping up with American Idol on and off this season, but since her favorite performer, Paris Bennett, was voted off three weeks ago, she hasn’t been following the contest that closely.
But, if she had to choose between Hicks and McPhee, Whaley said, “I would go with Taylor. I like him. I’m going to try to watch it tonight.”
Denice Simmons of Orangeburg agreed. Her favorite was Ace Young, who left the show five weeks ago after being placed in the bottom three.
“I probably will (watch it tonight),” she said. As for her favorite in Tuesday’s showdown, Simmons said she would probably pull for Hicks.
“I think he sings a little better than she does,” Simmons said.
The list of favorites from the season just kept piling up, with Jennifer Lott of Ehrhardt saying she was extremely disappointed when Chris Daughtry was voted off two weeks ago.
“And I got mad when they kicked Elliott off last week,” she said. “They keep kicking everybody off that I like.”
Lott said McPhee has had an unfair advantage this season, as her mother is a voice instructor.
“But I would probably go for her,” Lott said. “I like Taylor, I like the way he sounds, but music-wise, I would probably listen to her (McPhee) more.”
Theresa Bramblett of Orangeburg said she was shocked as well when Daughtry was voted off after making it to the top four.
Of last night’s finale, she said she would be pulling for Hicks.
“I just like his kind of music,” Bramblett said. “It’s funny, because I used to never watch it, and the girls I work with got me watching it. But now our girls are in ball games, so I don’t get to watch it that often.”
Last night, her daughter, Katalin Bramblett, had softball practice and a game for the city of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department, and they said they wouldn’t be able to watch the showdown performances live.
“But we will definitely watch it tomorrow (Wednesday) night,” Kaitlin Bramblett said.
The two-hour season finale will air at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Fox.
Fantasia released her first single in June 2004 with RCA. This included "I Believe", which was cowritten by Tamyra Gray, who also sang backup on it; the Aretha Franklin hit "Chain of Fools", and "Summertime". The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number one. Fantasia made history when she became the first artist to debut at #1 with his or her first single. On the sales chart, the single was at #1 for 11 consecutive weeks, and 10 weeks in Canada. This was the longest consecutive stay at #1 on that chart for an American Idol contestant. The CD, "I Believe", became the top selling single of 2004 in the U.S and has since been certified double platinum by the CRIA.
Fantasia released a cd called “Free Yourself” in November 2004. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 pop album chart and sold 240,000 copies in its first week. Two months later, it sold over one million copies and went platinum. It has sold over 2 million copies in the U.S The singles "Truth Is" and "Free Yourself" became huge R&B hits, reaching #2 and #3 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart. The song "Baby Mama" was criticized by some for speaking positively about single motherhood, but it reached the top 20. Fantasia did even better on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay, where she was the first artist of any kind to have two of the top three songs at the same time. "Truth Is" set a record by being a song by a female artist that stayed at #1 for 14 weeks.
Through Spring and Winter of 2005, Fantasia made many television appearances to promote her cd. She played Aretha Franklin in an episode of “American Dreams”, singing "Respect", guest voiced on The Simpsons episode "A Star is Torn", and guest starred as herself in a cameo on "All Of Us". Fantasia also appeared three or four times as a musical guest on Jay Leno's The Tonight Show, on 106 and Park (twice), All That, Live With Regis and Kelly, On Air With Ryan Seacrest (4 times), Soul Train, Ellen (2 times), The Tony Danza Show, The View (2 times), and The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade. Other appearances by Fantasia included singing a tribute with other artists to Elton John at the 27th annual Kennedy Center Honors. She sang at benefits for AIDS organizations and for tsunami relief, and has visited churches and schools. On February 26, 2006, Fantasia sang the National Anthem for the Auto Club 500 opening ceremony.
Fantasia won the image award for Most Outstanding Female Artist. On March 25th, 2005, Fantasia performed at the 36th NAACP Image Awards to honor Illinois Senator Barack Obama. In May and June 2005 Fantasia went on her first tour with her own live band. She also headlined at music festivals including the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival and the Reggae Sumfest on Jamaica.
In October 2005, Fantasia opened for Kanye West's Touch the Sky Tour.
In the late summer of 2005, Fantasia worked with Lyfe Jennings on his single "Hypothetically".
On September 30, 2005, Fantasia published her memoir “Life is Not a Fairy Tale”. She admitted that she is functionally illiterate. On ABC's 20/20 she said that she hadn't been able to read contracts, and she just memorized the songs. “Life is Not a Fairy Tale” became a New York Times Best Seller. Fantasia is being taught to read by tutors, so she can read to her daughter and read contracts. She is also pursuing her GED. I have to interject here that I give Fantasia a lot of credit. I teach literacy to high schoolers, and motivation makes all the difference. Good for her for doing this and I know she can and will be successful here. I hope she can be a positive role model for other struggling readers, to know they can overcome dyslexia at any age.
In 2006, Fantasia was nominated for four Grammy Awards, making her the first Idol to receive that many nominations, although she did not win any awards. The nominations were for Best Female R & B vocal performance, “Free Yourself"; Best R& B album, “Free Yourself”, Best Traditional R & B Performance, "Summertime", and Best R & B song, “Free Yourself”. During the show, Fantasia performed with several other artists including Steven Tyler and Ciara in an all-star tribute to Sly and the Family Stone.
Fantasia has been working on her next cd, which may be released later this year. She wants to write some of her own music and experiment with different genres of music, including country and rock. Missy Elliot will return as one of the writers on her second cd, and Ne-Yo will also contribute.
Fantasia’s awards include 2004 Billboard single of the year, "I Believe", 2004 Billboard Top selling R&B/Hip-Hop single of the year, "I Believe", 2005 Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks Top R&B/hip-hop single (sales), "I Believe", 2005 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist, and 2006 Groovevolt Music Awards- Best New Artist .
On July 4, Fantasia will perform at the Philadelphia Sunoco Welcome America Celebration. Also coming this summer is a Lifetime Television movie based on her autobiography, and Fantasia will star as herself. The movie will be directed by Debbie Allen, and is scheduled to air on the women’s cable network on August 21, 2006. The movie will include scenes from American Idol. Executive Producer Ellyn Williams told Michael Starr in a NY Post article on May 10, 2006, that it is possible that Simon, Randy and Paula may do cameos in the movie. If they are not available, stock footage will be used. Williams said, “We wouldn’t have other actors playing them. How can you replace Simon Cowell?”
Entertainment ‘Joseph’s’ Amy Adams has come a long way By Chris Page, Tribune June 4, 2006 The last three years have been a whirlwind for Amy Adams, the “American Idol” third-season finalist who’s now performing in the Broadway touring production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
The last time I caught up with her, in 2003, we were both young hometowners in Bakersfield, Calif.; she was an actress and jazz singer eking out her hobby in dive bars and dinner theater.
And then “Idol” happened.
The spunky gal with trademark red highlights and a perky, chopped ’do, who first stormed her way through the Dixie Chicks’ “Sin Wagon,” made it into the top 12 finalists — in the season that gave us winner Fantasia Barrino and sideshow curiosity William Hung.
Adams went on a grueling three-month tour with fellow “Idol” cast mates. Off the concert stage, she got married, got pregnant, took meetings with Disney and Nickelodeon television executives.
“I got an offer to do a recurring TV character, but then I was going to be a pregnant dorm (resident assistant),” she says, laughing, “and that just wasn’t going to work out.”
After the “Idol” tour, Adams says, “I swore I wasn’t going to do another tour again.” And she hadn’t planned on pursuing Broadway gigs for another decade, she figured.
But last year, producers from the “Joseph” tour called and offered her the part of the show’s narrator. She didn’t have to dance or do much actual acting, just sing a lot, and she could take her family on the road.
“I was sitting on the couch, seven months pregnant,” says Adams, who took the gig. “It was kinda cool, but it was kind of a fluke. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.”
As “Joseph” has worked its way westward — it opened in September in Milwaukee, and comes to Tempe’s Gammage Auditorium on Tuesday night for a one-week stint — Adams has earned largely favorable reviews for a role she calls “the singing tour guide” through the biblical story of Joseph from the book of Genesis.
With a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, “Joseph” takes wild comic liberties with the tale — the Pharaoh of Egypt is played with an Elvis Presley twist — and the score is a melting pot of rock, R&B, country and pop.
The show is a departure for Adams, who postponed recording a country album when she joined the tour, and it’s proved to be a vocal challenge: A vocal injury forced her to miss a few performances earlier this year.
But the singer says she’s learned invaluable lessons on the road from her co-star, Broadway actor Patrick Cassidy — half brother of David Cassidy (who played Joseph on Broadway in the 1980s). A veteran of the stage and touring, he’s been her go-to guy for career advice.
“I’ve been her chaperone and her confidante,” says Patrick Cassidy, 44, “in terms of what touring’s about.”
She replies: “There’s so much of it that I say, ‘Is this the norm? Is this what I should expect?’ He’s been a friend first and foremost.”
After the tour wraps in July, Adams will head back to her home in Bakersfield and start work on that country album. At that point, she says, she’ll probably lose the red hairdo, even if it might shock her “Idol” fans.
“She’s just at the beginning of her game,” Cassidy says. “If she makes the right moves, she can go far.”
Scoring in the top two in Season Three of "American Idol" was only the beginning of what's already been a fruitful and varied career for Diana DeGarmo. After her debut single, "Dreams," went to No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Singles Sales Chart, one might have thought she'd be on her way to follow in the footsteps of "Idol" alumni Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken. But these days Snellville's most famous daughter is getting more recognition for her theater work, from her Broadway debut as Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray" to her current turn as the title character in the touring production of "Brooklyn." The accomplished 19-year-old called The Sunday Paper recently to discuss the play, her modest upbringing and her career aspirations.
Q Tell me about "Brooklyn." Has it been different from your previous stage experience?
A I consider "Brooklyn" a complete 180 from anything else I've done. "Brooklyn" is short, a little over 90 minutes, so you do your show, but you can still do something later that day. And we have such a small cast that we do everything—like moving the sets.
What was it that attracted you to this show?
I just think the music is amazing. I personally had never seen the play on Broadway, but they sent me the music and there were these beautiful harmonies. Once I read the play, it just clicked.
Do you see any of yourself in your character, Brooklyn?
She kind of reminds me of myself, pre-"American Idol." She's just very naïve, and waiting for that knight on a white horse. I also grew up not really knowing my father, so we're kind of similar.
What's different about live theater?
Well, it's definitely not for the faint of heart. I really respect live theater. There's no way we can change any of it, and you know what you hear is really what's coming out of that person in front of you. We have these amazing people—Melba Moore makes me want to cry every time I hear her perform.
So what do you do when something goes wrong onstage?
You say, "I can't believe that happened!" and you laugh about it. Usually it goes fairly smoothly. There's one night when the computer froze up, and we have a lot of sound cues that are very important to the show. So, there were sounds of coins dropping randomly, people talking at the wrong times. We were all wondering what was going on, but part of being a professional is that when things mess up, you need to make sure the audience never knows. You put a smile on and you keep going.
Do you see yourself doing more Broadway or more recording in the future?
I don't know, to be honest. I'm so open to any wonderful possibilities. I know I'm definitely going to be getting back into the studio soon so I can record some more music. I feel very proud of myself that I've been able to conquer doing Broadway, but I came back to [music] because Broadway's always going to be there.
Which do you prefer?
It depends. I think being able to create your own music is really great. Stick me in a studio with recording equipment and a producer, and you can just leave me there forever. But with live performance, you can pull from the audience and their reactions. We really are just a group of street performers putting on a show.
What are your plans with your music? Where do you want it to go?
I'm kind of in this reinvention mode where I'm really ready to put my thumbprint down and define my own style. I'm not Avril Lavigne, and I'm not Hilary Duff. My own style has more of a pop, soul and R&B feel to it.
If you weren't recording and doing live theater, what do you think you'd be doing?
Well, I'd probably be in college like every other 19-year-old. But if I weren't doing this I would probably still be doing something in the entertainment industry or doing something creative. I'd like to go to college eventually, but it was very difficult when I was doing "Idol" to give the right amount of attention to both school and performing.
You're from Snellville. What do you miss about home?
I miss the people. Southern people are just a little nicer and laid back. You can actually come here and relax. When you're in New York you get lost in the shuffle, and you always feel like you should be doing something.
Tell me a little bit about your upbringing.
We weren't exactly the richest people on the planet, but my mom worked very hard bringing up my brother and I. She always kept her head up. She taught me that just because you stumble it doesn't mean you quit the fight.
How are you different now from the person you were before "American Idol"?
I learned so much about myself as a person and as a performer, and you learn about the ins and outs of the entertainment business. Everyone envisions it to be a lot of glitz and glamour, and it's actually lot of blood, sweat and tears. It's eaten up a lot of people. But it keeps me on my toes and I've had the opportunity to do a lot of things that other people wouldn't have gotten to do, like the USO tour. I got to go to Kuwait, Africa and places that everyday civilians probably would never get to go.
What are your goals for the future? What would you like to do that you haven't had the time or opportunity to pursue so far?
I would love to eventually be able to do a world tour and perform my own music. That would be the biggest goal. SP
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
Season 3 Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo will sing the national anthem for Sunday's NASCAR USG Sheetrock 400.
During the pre-race festivities, DeGarmo will sing the anthem a cappella as is tradition at NASCAR and racing events throughout the country. Her performance will be followed by an overhead flyby of B-52s out of Barksdale Air Force Base.
DeGarma willl be returning to Broadway in September to perform in the hit musical Hairspray.
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
