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Diana DeGarmo : American Idol Unplugged

Monday, November 07, 2005
By Karen D'Souza

Somewhere...there’s a place for citizen-celebrity journalists. And this is it. All those who deluged me with questions for American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, this is your moment in the blogosphere. You posted queries and I got you answers because your wish is my command, well, at least in terms of getting you access to the teen diva currently starring as Maria in the American Musical Theatre of San Jose’s “West Side Story.’’ Here’s a Q&A with Miss Diana based solely on reader input to this blog (and her responses). Oh, and lest I forget to shamelessly plug my own DeGarmo stories, you can also check out my interview with the pop princess and review of the show online, both of which are pretty witty and bright if I don’t say so myself. But this one’s all about you! (Also, my regrets to anyone whose question didn’t get answered. DeGarmo says she would have loved to answer ‘em all but just ran outta time. This is one busy Idol, you know?) So, hold my hand and I'll take you there, already.

DIANA DEGARMO EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR BLOG READERS

Q: I would like you to ask Diana if she would consider doing a duet either on her new CD or on the CD of another artist. I would like to know if there are any male singers she'd most like to duet with.
(Posted by: Melissa | Oct 28, 2005 12:05:31 AM)
A: I'd love to do a duet with another artist. There are so many great guys out there that it would be hard to select just one. But some up there at the top would be: Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, Tyler Hilton, Gavin DeGraw, or even Ludacris!

Q: Wow! I am so glad you are doing this! I love Diana and can't wait to see her in West Side Story. I want to ask her if she plans to tour in 2006 or focus more on acting roles/roles in musicals. I really am looking forward to her second CD and want to see her in concert. (posted by: Jo | Oct 28, 2005 12:11:16 AM)
A: I'd like to focus more of my attention on my album; but if a great opportunity in the acting field were to come along, I would definitely like to do that, too. I want to do it all!

Q: How do you feel about your fans having crushes on you and thinking you're hot?
(Posted by: Darren | Oct 28, 2005 12:31:20 AM)
A: I LOVE it! What girl wouldn't?

Q: I'd like to know why Diana is shifting away from pop-rock and if she's aware that many of her fans prefer the rock-oriented material on her debut album (especially "Till You Want Me").
(Posted by: Graham | Oct 28, 2005 12:50:30 AM)
A: As you grow and mature, you find songs that you believe fit you better. I'm hoping that my fans will love my new album just as much as they loved the first and will grow with me.

Q: A question for Diana: How do you feel about a portion of your fanbase perpetually viewing you as the young girl who competed on Idol? (Posted by: Daria | Oct 28, 2005 1:39:02 AM)
A: I don't have any problem with that since it was a great opportunity, but I hope that they see me for who I am now and as I grow and mature.

Q: Of the top 12 from your season, who do you consider close friends that support you even now, a year and a half after the season ended? (Posted by: Nicole | Oct 28, 2005 9:38:48 AM)
A: Since everyone's so busy with their individual careers, that's difficult to say. I am more in contact with Matt Rogers, Amy Adams, Leah LaBelle, George Huff, and John Stevens. In fact, I sang at Matt's wedding and did a show with Camille, LaToya, George, John, and even Justin from Season 1!

Q:  I want to ask Diana a question about Fantasia: Fantasia has been very open about her personal struggles, open to the point of being criticized for using it for sympathy. In contrast, you have rarely talked about any of your struggles or problems. Is that a conscious choice to remain private or do you feel it isn't the right time to talk about personal stuff? (Posted by: Tammy | Oct 28, 2005 9:42:40 AM)
A: I guess you could say it was a conscious choice. I have found that the best thing to do in life is to look forward to the future and not dwell on the past. We all have problems. We can use them as an excuse or a stepping stone, but how we handle them is what sets us apart as human beings. Life is a giant school, and what we do with those lessons is up to us.

Q: My question is: You've said that you're in the process of recording a second album and that you've been involved also in the writing process. How many songs have you written on and could you give us names of who you've been working with? I'm very excited for the next album! (Posted by: Aiyesha | Oct 28, 2005 10:17:32 AM)
A: All I can say at this point is that they're really great producers!

Q: My question is similar to Aiyesha's. I'd like to know what kinds of songs she's written for the album and if she had co-writers. Did she write songs that are personal to her, about her, etc, or did she just write "general"
songs rather than personal, real stuff. (Posted by: Justine | Oct 28, 2005 10:38:40 AM)
A: The album is a work in progress, especially since I'm here doing West Side Story. But there were will be both on the album.

Q: In West Side Story, you're going to have to kiss your love interest, Tony, a few times during the course of the show. Was that a little bit of a challenge for you in rehearsals seeing as how this is a new thing for you and since you don't really know this person?. Also, is your boyfriend (if you have one) jealous of the fact that you're going to have to kiss a very good looking guy (Aaron Ramey), multiple times everyday for two weeks?
(emailed from Christine 10/28/2005 10:49 AM)
A: At first I thought it might be a challenge for me, but it's worked out great. As far as jealousy, it's just acting, and that's always going to be a part of the business. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it! (smiling)

Q: If you were going to get a second car to go with your mustang, what would you want to get?
(Posted by: M. Cassells | Oct 28, 2005 2:59:16 PM)
A: Oh, that's a tough one! Probably the F150 4 X 4 dual cab!

Q: What are your acting ambitions beyond "West Side Story?" More musicals, a TV show, or movies? If you did a TV show or movie, would you play the antagonist (bad girl) or do you feel like you have an image you  want to protect for your fans? (Posted by: Greg | Oct 28, 2005 3:47:14 PM)
A: I'd really love to do it all! I don't know that I'm ready to play the mean girl just yet, but you never know. It might be really fun to try.

Q: I read you're planning to have a second album recorded. Which style you're going mainly to veer there? Independently of having one or another song with soul, rock or pop tendencies, how would you classify as a whole your artistic inclination? (Posted by: A. Hoxha | Oct 28, 2005 5:33:23 PM)
A: I like to call it "rop," a lot of pop with a little R & B and some funk and dance.

Q: Who would you like to tour with? Do you see yourself touring with a friend (or friends) you already have in the industry? (Posted by: Paula T. | Oct 28, 2005 6:07:01 PM)
A: Ohhhhhh, I don't know. I would like to tour with someone who is just as fun as I am on the stage. There are so many great people out there, so who that might be we will just have to wait and see. I'm open to suggestions!

Q: Do you know what 'The Delly' is? (Posted by: Heather | Oct 28, 2005 9:30:33 PM)
A: I have no idea.

Q: What do you consider more important: critical praise and acceptance or audience acceptance/commercial success? Have you found being a former American Idol contestant a hardship when it comes to winning over those in the industry? By the way, Diana, you are awesome and I think you are the most talented, promising future superstar in the music and entertainment industry. (Posted by: Carrie | Oct 28, 2005 11:06:38 PM)
A: I consider audience acceptance more important than critical acceptance. I perform for everyone in the audience, but I'm always happy when I get good reviews! As far as American Idol, yes, you have to prove yourself twice as much. I thank you so much for the positive feedback and kind words! Keep looking out for me. I'll be there!

Q: Would you ever date another celebrity or would you want to stay away from other people in the industry? I personally think you should find a way to introduce yourself to Jason Cook from Days of Our Lives. You two would be cute
together. : ) (Posted by: T.H. | Oct 28, 2005 11:20:06 PM)
A: Oh, really? Jason? Maybe I need to go find this Jason. If you have any connections, send him to me. I wouldn't mind dating a celebrity. They're in the same industry, so it makes it easy. However, people in the entertainment industry are a very "quirky" bunch!

Q: What are your feelings on musicians who trash American Idol alumni as a group? Generally speaking, do you feel it's okay for one artist to publicly pass judgment on the talents of another, regardless of how they got their start?
(Posted by: Liza | Oct 29, 2005 12:14:57 AM)
A: No, I don't think it's right for them to pass judgment on anybody. How could they if they don't even know the person? I have worked very hard to get to where I am.

Q: What is your favorite TV show? (Posted by: Olivia | Oct 29, 2005 2:01:35 PM)
A: America's Funniest Videos and Prison Break. Gotta love them!

Q: Are there any songs you haven't done covers of in concert that you'd like to perform? Do you believe during your next tour your original material is going to take a priority over the covers you've traditionally performed? I think the original stuff should, but I'd love for you to continue performing "Chain of Fools." (Posted by: JY | Oct 30, 2005 10:06:03 AM)
A: Georgia, by Ray Charles. I would like to do that. I'll always have a mixture of old and new. The crowd loves it, too. That way there's something for everybody.

Q: Which messages boards do you read, if any? (Posted by: Connor | Oct 30, 2005 10:08:12 AM)
A: I don't have time to read any message boards.

Q: Now that you are 18, are you excited about moving into the adult phase of your career? Do you think being an adult singer makes things easier or harder? (Posted by: Linda | Oct 30, 2005 5:52:35 PM)
A: Adult phase. Definitely makes life easier, and you get a lot more respect!

Q: Are there any movies coming out that you look forward to seeing at the movie theater?
(Posted by: Gareth | Oct 30, 2005 11:35:47 PM)
A: I can't think of one specific one, but I love to go to the movies. I'm an avid movie fan.

Q: Question for Diana: Hey girl, first of all I love you. Second, on your 2nd album, will all of your songs be YOUR original pieces, or will you be singing other singer's songs like, "Don't Cry Out Loud"?
(Posted by: Anonymous | Nov 1, 2005 9:52:00 AM)
A: All of them will be my original songs, except perhaps one cover song.

Q: Do you ever read fan fiction about yourself? What do you think about virtual strangers writing stories about you? (Posted by: Nadia | Nov 1, 2005 3:44:46 PM)
A: I wish I knew what "fan fiction" was. I don't take it to heart and let it bother me. It is what it is.

Source: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2005/11/diana_degarmo_a_1.html