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Fast Facts
Full Name: Diana DeGarmo
Age: 16
Hometown: Snellville, Georgia
School: Shiloh High School
Grade: Junior, 11th
Favorite Colors: Pink & Black
Audition City: Hawaii
First Concert: TLC & Pink
Last Concert: 3 Doors Down
Best Friend: Whitney Crawford
Choral School Director: Aimee Chaffin
SHS Principal: William Kruskamp
 Diana has been performing since she was 5 years old.
She held the crown of Miss Teen Georgia America 2002.
Diana was a finalist on 'America's Most Talented Kid'.
Opened the show for the 1997 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards.
Performed at the Dollywood Theme Park.
Diana has appeared in several national commercials.
Diana has been the opening act for The Baja Men, Pam Tillis, Diamond Rio, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Billy Dean, Toby Keith, Ty Herndon, Delbert McClinton, and Dolly Parton and the Opry singers.
Upon Diana's return home after making the top 12, some students & faculty dressed in black & pink to support her.
An 'American Idol' camera crew followed Diana around on her return home after the top 32.
Q&A Survey
Credit
When did you first start to sing?
I came out singing, but started singing professionally or for other people at age 5.
Do you have any formal singing training?
A few classes when I was young and regularly the last few years.
What other talents do you have?
Dancing and playing pool.
If you don’t make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do?
I will go on with my life. I will keep on singing and will fulfill my dream.
What are your personal goals in life?
To follow my dream of being a recognized professional singer, to go as far as I can go with that dream, to travel and see all the world, to live every moment of life to the fullest and, of course, to buy me an awesome race car and house on the beach!
What album would your friends be surprised you own?
None. They know I have all kinds of music.
What is the first CD you ever bought?
Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits Collector’s Edition.
What is in your CD player right now?
Celine Dion’s Greatest Hits, Smile Empty Soul and a personal rap mix!
Who is your AMERICAN IDOL?
Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard.
What is your favorite type of music?
Pop.
What is your favorite song to sing?
“Chain of Fools” because everyone loves it. (Including me!)
Favorite male pop artist?
Justin Timberlake.
Favorite female pop artist?
Celine Dion.
Favorite album of all time?
Patsy Cline’s and Celine Dion’s Greatest Hits.
Who in the music world do you think your style is most like?
Celine Dion, Selena and Whitney Houston.
Most embarrassing moment?
I completely forgot the words to the Olympic Theme Song in front of hundreds of people! (And I haven’t sung that song since then!)
If you couldn’t sing, which talent would you most like to have?
To be a great businessperson with my own business, or be athletic and do sports.
What has been your proudest moment in life so far?
Making it to AMERICAN IDOL!
What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL?
Great singer, great entertainer and great human being.
Why do you want to be an AMERICAN IDOL?
I am ready to prove that I can run with the big dogs.
Who is your favorite judge and why?
Paula, because she is graceful, beautiful and dignified.
Who is your least favorite judge and why?
I plead the FIFTH!
What advice do you have for other hopefuls?
Never stop, sing with your heart and do what’s right for YOU!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I can sometimes be shy, that I’m a good student, that I like to fish!
Biography
Diana DeGarmo , 16, auditioned for American Idol in Honolulu Hawii. She is the youngest finalist in the top 12 of American Idol, Season 3. She comes from a small town in Georgia called Snellville, and goes to Shiloh High School as a junior. Diana started to sing when she was 5 years old. She entered a contest to prepare for her school talent show, and ended up winning and getting about $600 dollars as a prize! She loves to fish, and says if she doesn't win American Idol, she will continue to sing. =)
Quotes
Quotes by Diana
"When I found out I was in the finals, I did this whole speechless thing, which for me is a big thing cause I'm a talker."
-Diana in idolonfox.com interview
"I like to dance, I think I'm a pretty good dancer. I'm not one of those break dancers, but I like to get out there and boogie."
-Diana in idolonfox.com interview
Quotes about Diana
Credit
"Diana is just a child prodigy. She is probably one of the most talented kids since Shirley Temple and is just one in a million."
- Joy Pervis, Owner of the Atlanta talent agency for kids, Hot Shot Kids
"Incredibly talented, outgoing, and has a great future ahead of her...and easy to work with!"
- Kaili Rubin, Director/Producer Turner Broadcasting
"What a voice!"
- Sally Jesse Raphael, Sally Jessie Raphael Show
News
DeGarmo 'Idol' watch begins in Snellville (2/12/04)
Credit
Keep your eyes peeled in Snellville. She could be strolling through the QuikTrip, shopping at the Kroger or downing a few glazed at the Krispy Kreme.
Diana DeGarmo, a Shiloh High School junior, became the second of eight contestants to proceed to the next round.
But make no mistake, come Saturday, the Diana DeGarmo watch will officially begin when Snellville's newest darling returns home from Hollywood.
"I know she's wanted this for a long time," said Marcus Merritt, a junior at Shiloh High School and a member of the competition chorus. "Everybody's really excited to see her, but she's really mellow about the whole thing."
We'll see how mellow the mood is come Monday, when life returns to semi-normalcy.
DeGarmo, a 16-year-old Shiloh junior, wowed both the judges and viewers of "American Idol" this week, becoming the second of eight contestants who will proceed to the next round of the high-profile talent bout.
DeGarmo, along with Fantasia Barrino, were selected by a tally of votes that were either called in or text-messaged to the show Tuesday night.
Despite the high-profile competition, DeGarmo's expected back in the classroom next week.
"I think she'll be back on Monday," said Shiloh principal William Kruskamp. "I don't think she will be a distraction to anybody. We're about learning in the classroom."
DeGarmo could be home for as long as a month, as the other 24 contestants audition for the final six spots.
Her performance on Tuesday earned high praise from the often hard-to-please judges, who complimented her style and vocal range.
"American Idol" may purport to make singing sensations from everyday folk, but DeGarmo is far from a novice.
She's been performing since she was 5 years old and has something of a local rep as a singing prodigy.
In addition to holding the crown of Miss Teen Georgia America 2002, she was a finalist on another TV talent show — "America's Most Talented Kid" — last year.
Among her vocal credits: She opened the show for the 1997 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards, has also been an opening act for Trace Adkins and Diamond Rio, performed at the Dollywood theme park, and appeared in various local and national commercials. She's also sung at conventions for Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola.
"I took her to a convention when she was 7 years old and she blew everyone away," said Joy Pervis, owner of Hot Shot Kids/Teens, a talent agency in Atlanta, who has been one of DeGarmo's local agents for almost 10 years. "She's just an overall sweet kid. She's been doing this for so long and it doesn't go to her head."
Her singing commitments and contracts have prevented her from participating in certain performances with the Shiloh chorus.
"She does have situations as far as making appearances and singing," said Shiloh choral director Aimee Chaffin.
The support for her effort was in full force this week as hundreds of Shiloh students gathered in the common area of the campus Tuesday night to watch her performance.
She won't be coming back to school alone. A crew from "American Idol" will follow DeGarmo's daily life for a short biography that will air on the show in March.
The chorus room at Shiloh promises to be madness next week.
"We have our big county competition next Thursday, so it will be busy," said Chaffin, who doesn't know whether DeGarmo will compete in the Gwinnett County choir tournament. "It's going to be hard to juggle what we have to do."
Her next on-air challenge won't take place for nearly a month. But then, she'll continue performing each week as long as callers vote for her to remain on the show.
Whether she makes it to the finals, where the top two vote-getters face off, is anyone's guess. But her success has been an inspiration.
"It's awesome; she's one of the main inspirations for me," said Ayanna Marilla, a Shiloh senior who sings in the women's chorus with DeGarmo. "Whatever level she goes to, we'll be so proud of her. She's made the whole town, the whole school, the whole state proud." |
Appearances
Miss Teen Georgia USA (WINNER) - [2002]
America's Most Talented Kid - [2003]
Flatwater Racing Olympic Trials Opening Ceremony - [2003]
Miss Teen Georgia USA - [2003]
American Idol - [2004]
On Air with Ryan Seacrest - [2/12/04]
American Idol Red Carpet Party - [3/10/04]
Kid's Choice Awards - [4/3/04]
Kill Bill: Volume 2 Premiere - [4/9/04] |
