Today's Spotlight of the Day features a former American Idol runner-up of the third installment of the reality TV show, American Idol. Of course, everyone is aware of the American Idol veteran and Queen herself, Kelly Clarkson, first winner of the American Idol series (USA edition). A year later, Ruben Studdard beat out talented Clay Aiken in the ever popular talent show (but really, who did well in the end??). By the third year, Fantasia Barrino beat all odds, mentally and physically, to win the coveted title, leaving 16-year-old Diana DeGarmo in a trial of her dust.
But don't think DeGarmo hasn't made something of herself! She was widely known to her avid fans as a young girl with a power-house voice and impeccable stage precense. In the weeks that followed on the show, DeGarmo sang hits such as "I Got the Music In Me," "Think," "I'm Still Standin'," "My Heart Will Go On," "Turn the Beat Around" and more! DeGarmo received exceptional praise for her beautiful rendition of "Don't Cry Out Loud," which is also featured on her first album.
After American Idol, DeGarmo, now 20, went on to record her debut album, Blue Skies, with semi-likable hits such as "Dreams," "Emotions" and "Don't Cry Out Loud." One of my favorite songs by her is "I Believe," which some people think only Fantasia can pull off. I happen to strongly disagree. This song is without a doubt, one of, if not THE hardest finale song to sing, but DeGarmo performs it in a such a dramatic, yet brilliant way that hardly compares to Fantasia's "yea, yea yea" squabbling. If you ask me, Diana has the better voice. Of course, that's just my opinion. When it comes down to it, both got a record label. After her December 7, 2004 release, the record came in at #52 on the Billboard Chart. As of July 2007, the album sold an additional 35,000 copies coming out to an estimated total of 200,000 copies sold. Not bad for a first timer in this difficult industry! DeGarmo even received the Horizon Award at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards ceremony in 2005.
Right after Idol, DeGarmo was dealt an issue nobody wishes to endure. A young woman in Australia stole her credit card number by installing programs on to DeGarmo's computer and tracking her personal emails to and from DeGarmo's mother to Diana. She furthermore went on to purchase thousands of dollars worth of computer supplies. The perpetrator was finally caught and sentenced to community service in May (year unknown). DeGarmo has discussed this incident on several occasions while on talk shows.
Currently, DeGarmo is in the works on her second album, due out sometime this year (2007). The upcoming album is speculated to be along the lines of R&B/Pop with DeGarmo cowriting many of the songs herself. In 2006 and early 2007, DeGarmo stared on Broadway as Penny Pingleton in the musical Hairspray. Among other public appearances and performances, she nabbed a role in the national tour of BKLYN: THE MUSICAL in the summer of 2006 and performed a musical concert called "In Your Dreams" in early October that same year.
Here's my favorite video of Diana DeGarmo while on American Idol! She's singing "Think."
Where she is at now! Check out this video!
Album: Blue Skies
Recommended Songs
"Don't Cry Out Loud"
"Emotions"
"I Believe" (good uplifting song!)
*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: Lifehouse!
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