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by Scott Juba Published: June 28, 2004
It’s amazing how much someone’s life can change in a year. At this time last year, Diana DeGarmo was an undiscovered teenage singer living in the small town of Snellville, Georgia. Now, after finishing second in the American Idol competition, DeGarmo is a household name. Her first single, “Dreams”, is already receiving radio airplay all over the country and will be available in stores Tuesday, June 29th. In addition, if all goes according to plan, her full-length album will be released this October. “It’s going to be kind of like a pop/R&B/latin/Diana feel,” DeGarmo explains.With the record selling success of past Idol contestants, DeGarmo has high expectations resting on her shoulders. Yet, the seventeen-year-old sensation remains undaunted. “I think (their success) gives you more incentive to go out there and do a better job,” she says with a carefree laugh. In order for DeGarmo’s album to top the charts, it will have to be a record chock full of memorable tracks. Much to her credit, she knows exactly what qualities a song must have in order to resonate with listeners. “If it’s a fast song (it should be) something that gets your feet tapping,” she tells me. “Also, if you remember it after your hear it, and you leave the room and you remember the song, it’s always a sign that it’s something really good.” DeGarmo will record her album in the midst of this summer’s American Idol Tour. The tour will allow DeGarmo to re-unite with her fellow American Idol finalists, an opportunity that she’s looking forward to. “It’s going to be so much fun,” she says. “We’re like a big family.” While competing on American Idol, all of the finalists were given the chance to learn from some of the most renowned music artists in the world, many of whom served as guest judges for the show. “I think we all learned the most from Barry Manilow,” DeGarmo says without hesitation. “He was totally amazing to work with. He not only taught us a lot about how the music and everything was produced, but more of how to emote the feeling from the music and really connect with an audience.” With the help of Manilow and others, DeGarmo became more comfortable performing on-stage as the competition progressed. “I actually did get less nervous (each week),” she says, “because you realize that it becomes kind of like a habit almost, of going up on-stage and performing.” She adds, “Getting close to the end, you’ve realized how far you’ve made it. You’re at peace with it. It’s really great.” Besides learning from her own on-stage experience, DeGarmo mastered performing in front of a live audience by carefully observing the performances of others. She ranks N’Sync, 3 Doors Down, and Hoobastank as some of the best live bands. “You just kind of watch and see what they do,” she remarks. “(You learn) what people react to and what people like.” Besides her maturity as a performer, DeGarmo also proved during her time on Idol that she has tremendous composure, even in the face of criticism. “My mom’s raised me with manners,” she says, “so you’re taught to take what their opinion is and let them give it, because that’s what it is. It’s what comes with the territory, and so let it go in one ear and out the other, and just let it roll off your back.” As far as DeGarmo’s personal music palette is concerned, she cites Maroon 5’s singles as some of her favorite current radio hits. “I really like a lot of Maroon 5’s stuff right now,” she comments. “Like ‘Harder To Breathe’. I love that song. I’m such a big fan of theirs.” DeGarmo is also especially fond of Celine Dion’s music, referring to Dion’s greatest hits CD as the one album she could not part with. “I play it fanatically all the time. I just love the album.” 
Just as Maroon 5 and Celine Dion have done, DeGarmo hopes to establish a distinct personal style to her music. Doing so, however, may mean that she will have to move away from her image as an American Idol contestant. “The show got me here to where I am today,” DeGarmo says. “I would definitely like to keep (my image as an American Idol contestant) around as long as I need it, but as I grow, it may grow away from me. But it’s got me here, so I’ve got to be thankful for what it did.”When asked if there are any down sides to here newfound fame, DeGarmo expresses nothing but positive feelings about the attention she receives. “I haven’t really found any down sides, actually,” she tells me. “Everything’s been really, really great, and everybody’s been positive. I’ve had such a good time, and everybody’s treated me really well, and everybody’s been so professional and great to work with.” When the conversation turns to infamous Idol judge, Simon Cowell, I ask DeGarmo if Cowell is same person off-screen as he is on-screen. She replies, “Yeah. I tried to say that he wasn’t, but in the real world, he is.” DeGarmo, however, has nothing but praise for American Idol’s host, Ryan Seacrest. “Ryan is great,” she says. “He is so cool. I just love him to death.” She also has kind words for judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson (“Miss Paula” and “Mr. Randy” as she affectionately refers to them), calling Abdul “the best dressed woman in LA” and labeling Jackson as “really cool”. Within the first few moments of speaking with DeGarmo, it is easy to understand why so many regard her with similarly kind words. She is as upbeat and energetic as she is on TV, and despite the colossal amount of exposure she’s received, she remains completely unaffected by her fame. DeGarmo also has not forgotten those who have supported her along the way. When speaking of her future plans, she immediately mentions her mother. She tells me, “When the time comes, I would love to buy my mom a house on the beach, because that’s where she wants to live and retire.” Nowadays, when so many of the people that the American public idolizes continue to disappoint, a celebrity like Diana DeGarmo is a rarity. Not only does she continue to impress with her extraordinary talent, but she has a charming personality that is every bit as appealing as her voice; and that, perhaps, is the greatest talent of all. To Purchase Diana DeGarmo's CD Single at Amazon.com Click Here. On the Web RCA Records American Idol Official Site Sir Linksalot |
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