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Vainquer Teens' Interview with Diana DeGarmo - Diana's Day |
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The big-hearted teenager from Snellville, Georgia, has since moved on to releasing her first single “Dreams” (she describes it as an American Idol Momento), had lunch with someone who donated $10, 000 to charity, been involved in Clean Up the Environment Projects, recorded her first album, and is still deciding which college to apply for, as she told Vainquer Teens in a 16 minute long phone call from her hometown. Diana’s voice comes chirpy over the phone, despite it being almost 8pm in Georgia. She sounds almost unrealistically friendly and bubbly, and she just SO amazingly polite that sometimes, you forget that you that you’re talking to an American Idol runner up. Her laugh is infectious and her answers to any questions that I pose are absolute, no hesitation or sign of a diva attitude, despite her netting her first record deal at the age of 17. On the 9th of November, Vainquer Teens’ executive editor, Kristiano Ang, sat down to chat with American Idol finalist on her relationships with John Stevens, Joanna Levesque, what she thinks of William Hung, iPodding and many more. Here are the excerpts. Hear the Phone Call (mp3, zipped file) Vainquer Teens (VT): On AI, you received a lot of criticism, with people calling you piggy girl and such, how do you deal with this kind of criticism? Diana DeGarmo (DG): Well, those kind of names, I don’t think anyone should call anyone that. But you know, you kind of take it and let it roll over your back. VT: You’re 17 years old, an American Idol finalist and international celebrity, what’s the biggest change you’ve experienced? DG: The biggest change…is people noticing me out in public. It still kinds of throws me off a little bit, but it’s really cool to meet the fans and see how many people appreciate my music, and it’s really great, so that’s the biggest change. VT: What’s your new album going to be called? There’s been rumors that it’s going to be called Blue Skies and also that it’s going to be self-titled because of the image on the RCA website. DG: It’s going to be called Blue Skies. I don’t think I’m in a spot where I can call it a self-titled album. You know, an album is something like a child and I wanted to name it something that I thought would fit the album…Blue Skies is like a thank you song to the people who have helped me along the way. VT: American Idol 3 has been a major hit, not just in the United States, but also in Asia and stuff, but it also raised some laughs, largely because of one William Hung, what do you think of Mr. Hung? DG: Mr. Hung…hope he does well in everything he does and I wish him luck in everything he does…He has had a great past year but…good luck to him. VT: With your debut album, you’ve been working with David Foster, how was it like working with Mr. Foster? DG: He’s amazing…just so talented. You walk into the room to meet him and you can feel that you’re in a room with a genius. He’s truly one of the most talented people I’ve ever met in my entire life…It was wonderful, just a great, great experience. VT: I’ve been reading my national papers and there’s been word that you’ve been seeing John Stevens from AI, would you care to comment? DG: Oh no, no that’s a definite no…It’s kind of like going with your brother, you just don’t do it…John is a sweet, sweet, sweet gentlemen and he’s become a good friend of mine, but definitely no. VT: You’ve been called many things, chirpy, bubbly, perky, etc. Pick a phrase to describe yourself. DG: Hmm…a phrase….A music-loving person who likes to have fun. (Laughs) VT: You’ve been to Singapore recently, how was your stay here? DG: Oh I had such a great thing, so much fun. Singapore is such a nice place… VT: Is there anything you think young people can do to help the world? DG: I think going out and helping people…rake the leaves, cleaning up trash, helping elderly people out of the citizen home, donating blood to a blood fun…You know when I was in Singapore, I went to the kidney dialysis centre…it was great being happy with them, letting them know that there are people that care for them. VT: Is there any artiste that you would like to collaborate with in the future? DG: Ooh! I would love to work with Celine Dion…I would be very honored, she has an absolutely amazing voice. I’ve been like her biggest fan, my entire life…If it were a guy…it would have to be Justin Timberlake. VT: Some people have been calling you a teen queen, alongside the likes of Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Alexa Vega, etc. How do you rate yourself against them? DG: Wow! I think they’re great. I’m a big personal fan of Hilary Duff, she said she likes me! Haha…I was really excited about that. And Lindsay, I think she’s doing great. With her music and movies, its awesome. I think its very cool and I feel very honored to be considered along them, because they’re doing great things and I hope that I’ll be up along with them for a long time. VT: I’ve heard that you know Joanna Levesque, also known as Jojo, who is doing pretty well herself now, care to comment? DG: Oh Jojo, yeah yeah. I think she’s doing great. I was so excited to say I know her and I remember she went out to eat with my family, and she might be a bit scared of my family, haha, just kidding, but she’s doing great and I’m so proud of her. She was kind of like a baby sister on the show. VT: So have you heard her latest songs, Leave and Baby It’s You? DG: Yeah! I play them in the car and I sing about with them…Haha. VT: I have a fan question here, Tyson here would like to know what you do with gifts, your fans give you. DG: Oh I keep them all in this big room and I always go down and look at them…and I wear a lot of the things people give me. I got cute stuff. Someone at the Singapore show, gave me a black and pink pony hat. VT: I have a fan question here, how many songs do you have on your iPod? DG: Well I have about 3 iPods…haha…and collectively, considering one that I use for my music, for my car and one just to listen to, I have collectively 8, 000 songs. VT: So you’ve been an iPod fan from the start? DG: When they first came out with it, I didn’t really know about it, but I love it, I really love it! VT: Any last words for your fans? DG: Last words for my fans? Everyone out there, thank you so much…It’s been amazing to open up my fanbase even to Asia and I hope to come over and bring my CD over to you…so don’t worry, I’ll be back! Source: http://www.vainquer.net/store/be_entertained/diana_degarmo_interview.htm |
Diana DeGarmo, requires no introduction. Earlier this year, she
captured the hearts of people ranging from 11 year old Singaporeans
to 52 year old Americans with her stunning performances in what she
describes as America’s top show, American Idol.