Q&A : Diana DeGarmo 'Rewinds' Her American Idol Experience
The new season of American Idol Rewind has been bringing back some classic Idol memories, so I thought it would be a good time to catch up with some of the former contestants we haven't heard from in a while. Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting my exclusive Q&As with former Idols including Diana DeGarmo, Anthony Federov, and John Stevens. Let's start with Diana DeGarmo, who faced off with Fantasia in the season three finale. Diana filled me in via email about her latest career move and her Idol regrets.
Diana Dishes:
What are you up to these days?
I am living in Nashville writing and recording with producer/entertainer/songwriter John Rich. We have been working on a new country/pop record for myself. It's wonderful! I'm living the dream!!
Do you have any regrets about your time on the show?
My only regret would be that I did the show at such a young age. The people from Idol were not really ready for someone so young to make it to the end of the show, and I could always feel that pressure. I feel that my age hurt me the worst, but somebody had to break the mold so it might as well have been me!
Do you keep in touch with other contestants?
I have actually made better friends with contestants from OTHER seasons than from my own. I have been fortunate enough to have done many shows, appearances, etc with folks like Justin Guarini, Chris Sligh, Kimberly Caldwell, Bucky Covington, Phil Stacey, Bo Bice, and others. All of us "Idol Alumni" share an experience that will bond us forever; even if we only meet once.
Do you still tune in every season?
"I definitely keep up with every season, but I don't always watch every episode. It's a little traumatic to hear that beginning music every time the show airs. (Insert nervous giggling!) But because I am a past contestant, and people always want to know my opinion on each season, I have to know who has been kicked off or who is still on the show!"
Diana's season of American Idol is currently highlighted on the nationally syndicated series American Idol Rewind. Check your local listings for times.
Photo 1 by Tom Burns/Getty Images. Photo 2 by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Comments
Still my favourite female voice of all the Idol ladies. I hope to be able to buy her album in the near future. Love her voice.
She’s definitely one of the strongest voices to ever come out of AI. I agree with her if she had done the show now or a year ago people would’ve been bowing to her.
I’ve seen her on Broadway and she’s fantastic. If you check out her performance of Once Upon a Time from Brooklyn on YouTube or a performance of one of her new songs Turn to Me, you would see just how much she’s improved over the years. She would’ve killed the competition if she was a few years older, but at the same time, her underdog quality in S3 was probably what endeared some voters so much to her.
Thanks for the Q&A. I had the privilege of seeing her on Broadway in “Hairspray” and she’s dynamic. I hope things continue to work out for her in Nashville because she’s a talented girl and a very nice person.
Her next gig in Nashville is October 21st at “3rd and Lindsley.” People in the Nashville area should definitely check it out if they want to see for themselves how she’s evolved over the years.
Diana DeGarmo was great on Season 3 American Idol. Looking forward to her new country/pop cd that she is doing with John Rich as the producer for the album. Diana was great on the CMT show Gone Country.
Diana has sure been busy in Nashville these last months. For new information on Diana go to her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/dianadegarmo or her regular website at http://www.dianad.com
I am really looking forward to that Anthony FedOrov interview….he is looking soooooo good……