- Diana DeGarmo
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Diana DeGarmo 
DeGarmo in the American Idol Experience motorcade at Walt Disney World.Background information Birth name Diana Nicole DeGarmo Born June 16, 1987
Birmingham, AlabamaOrigin Snellville, Georgia, U.S. Genres Pop, country Occupations Singer, actress Years active 2003–present Labels RCA Records (2004-2005) Website Official site Diana Nicole DeGarmo (born June 16, 1987) is an American singer and Broadway actress. She finished as the runner-up on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol, narrowly missing the win by about 2% (approximately 1.3 million votes) out of over 65 million votes.[1] At 16, DeGarmo was the second youngest contestant among the set of finalists in the third season after John Stevens; she was a junior at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia.
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Early life
DeGarmo was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but was raised primarily in Snellville, Georgia, where she attended Crews Middle School. DeGarmo sang publicly from a young age, including at the 1997 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards and in stage productions of Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Atlanta. As a third grade student, she was a Coca-Cola Kid during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The next year, she sang at Opryland USA during the Christmas holiday season. In 2002, she was named Miss Teen Georgia and was a finalist on the NBC talent search program America's Most Talented Kid. At ten years of age, DeGarmo was one of the "Cartoon Network"'s Cartoon Gang and appeared in various segments for the network, discussing cartoons. She also appeared in various telefilms during her childhood. DeGarmo is niece to Eddie DeGarmo of DeGarmo & Key.[2]
American Idol
DeGarmo took part in the third season of American Idol in 2004, finishing second after a close race with winner Fantasia Barrino. DeGarmo was known for her ability to perform songs with ease at such a young age.
She started off as the first contestant to perform in the top 32, and was the second voted into the finals, after eventual winner Fantasia Barrino. However, she ended up in the bottom 3 in three of the first five weeks of the finals, although on all three occasions she was the first person out of the bottom group to be declared safe. Starting from the top 7, she was never in the bottom group again, gradually becoming one of the front runners in the competition. Ironically, she became the only person from season three who was never placed in the bottom 2, despite being in the bottom 3 (as the third lowest vote-getter) three times.
Performances
The songs DeGarmo sang on the show follow:
Week # Song Choice Original Artist Result Top 32 "I've Got the Music in Me" Kiki Dee Advanced Top 12 "Think" Aretha Franklin Safe Top 11 "A Broken Wing" Martina McBride Bottom 3 Top 10 "Do You Love Me" The Contours Safe Top 9 "I'm Still Standing" Elton John Bottom 3 Top 8 "My Heart Will Go On" Celine Dion Bottom 3 Top 7 "One Voice" Barry Manilow Safe Top 6 "Turn the Beat Around" Vicki Sue Robinson Safe Top 5 "Someone to Watch Over Me"
"Get Happy"Gertrude Lawrence
Ruth EttingSafe Top 4 "This Is It"
"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"Melba Moore
Donna Summer & Barbra StreisandSafe Top 3 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
"Because You Loved Me"
"Don't Cry Out Loud"Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Celine Dion
The MomentsSafe Finale "I Believe"
"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"
"Don't Cry Out Loud" (Encore)Fantasia Barrino/Diana DeGarmo
Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand
The MomentsRunner-Up Post-Idol music career
Diana DeGarmo performs for sailors during a United Service Organization (USO) show aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf. December 29, 2005.
DeGarmo was signed to RCA Records/19 Records shortly after the Idol finale and released the single, "Dreams," on June 29, 2004. The song was co-written by songwriter Chris Braide, who also co-wrote "This Is the Night" for Clay Aiken. It includes two other songs: her version of "I Believe", co-written by former Idol contestant Tamyra Gray, and a remake of Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud". She participated in a summer tour with Idol finalists during the summer of 2004, which included a show in Singapore in October 2004.
DeGarmo's debut album, titled Blue Skies, was released on December 7, 2004, to opening week sales of 47,000. The album debuted at #52 on the Billboard chart. As of October 2008, the album had sold 168,000 copies.[3] Her single "Emotional"--again co-written by Chris Braide, Desmond Child and Andreas Carlsson—peaked at #54 on the Mediabase Pop Chart. She toured independently in 2005 in support of Blue Skies and appeared on the soundtrack for the Disney movie Ice Princess, singing "Reaching for Heaven", written by Desmond Child. RCA released her from her recording contract in June, 2005.
DeGarmo began recording a pop/R&B album in 2007,[4] however she backed out of the project after it took a detour she did not want to take.[5] After filming CMT's Gone Country in late 2007, DeGarmo decided to return to her country roots and relocated to Nashville. She signed to John Rich's production company and recorded a country demo with him in 2008[6] In early 2009, DeGarmo released an acoustic EP entitled "Unplugged in Nashville". The EP contains 4 songs co-written by DeGarmo and is currently available at her live shows and at online retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, etc. One of the songs, "Thank You", can be streamed from DeGarmo's MySpace page. The EP serves as a taste of what is to come from DeGarmo on her second full length album. DeGarmo continues to co-write and perform new songs at live shows in and around the Nashville area. In October 2010, DeGarmo released two new songs titled "Things That Drive a Girl Crazy" and "All Over Again".[7]
Musical theatre
As a child, DeGarmo performed in productions of Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat in Atlanta, Georgia. She made her stage debut in a lead role as Maria in an American Musical Theatre of San Jose production of West Side Story in November 2005. Auditions for Hairspray and Brooklyn: The Musical followed shortly thereafter. DeGarmo made her Broadway debut in a four-month run in Hairspray as nerdy character Penny Pingleton in February 2006, impressing audiences with her comedic prowess. She also performed the lead role of Brooklyn in the 2006 national tour of Brooklyn: The Musical alongside one of her idols, Melba Moore. DeGarmo returned to Broadway's Hairspray for a second engagement from September 2006 to February 2007. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in April 2007.
DeGarmo was set to star alongside Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel in the Broadway revival of Godspell at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, but on August 19, 2008, it was announced that the show was postponed indefinitely due to the loss of an investor.[8]
In February 2009 she starred as Dorothy in a tour of Oz the Musical, a contemporary version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but left the tour after its first leg in February 2009.[9] DeGarmo then starred in the musical revue Back to Bacharach and David featuring the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David in Los Angeles from April 15 to May 17, 2009 at the Music Box at Fonda on Hollywood Boulevard.[10] In July 2009, she starred as the narrator in the Oklahoma Lyric's Theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat alongside Idol alum Anthony Federov.[11] Debuting August 14, 2009, DeGarmo played the role of Sarah, the sexy, blind librarian and love interest of Toxie in the Off Broadway musical, The Toxic Avenger[12] until its closing on January 3, 2010.
DeGarmo performed in a musical concert for In Your Dreams in early October 2006, a new musical said to have a similar plot to High School Musical. In 2009, she played the title role in a concert for Liberty: A New Musical at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and played the role of Chris in the much anticipated reading of an updated Carrie: The Musical.
She starred as Sheila in the Broadway company of Hair until the show's closure on June 27, 2010. Upon the show's closure, DeGarmo decided to return to her home in Nashville.[13] She succeeded original cast member Caissie Levy beginning March 9, 2010.[14]
Degarmo played the role of Doralee Rhodes in the national tour of 9 to 5, which was launched on September 21, 2010 in Nashville.[15]
DeGarmo appeared on musical theatre composer Scott Alan's third album, "What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up" with the song "I Wish, released November 1, 2010.
She reprised the role of Penny Pingleton in the Hollywood Bowl production of Hairspray, which ran from August 5–7, 2011.[16]
Theatre Credits Type Role Theatre Year West Side Story Regional Maria American Musical Theatre of San Jose 2005 Hairspary Broadway Penny Pingleton Neil Simon Theatre 2006–2007 Brooklyn: The Musical National Tour Brooklyn N/A 2006 Back to Bacharach and David Regional Performer Music Box Theater 2009 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Regional Narrator Civic Center Music Hall 2009 The Toxic Avenger Musical Off Broadway Sarah New World Stages 2009–2010 Hair Broadway Sheila Franklin Al Hirschfeld Theatre 2010 9 to 5: The Musical National Tour Doralee Rhodes N/A 2010–2011 Hairspary Regional Penny Pingleton Hollywood Bowl 2011 Film and television
On September 12, 2011, it was announced that DeGarmo would be joining the cast of The Young and The Restless as Jersey Mob princess Angelina, daughter of resident mobster Angelo.[17] DeGarmo is also currently set to be featured in the upcoming Val Kilmer film, "The First Ride to Wyatt Earp" [18]
Other activities
Diana DeGarmo performs for crew members aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.DeGarmo is a proud supporter of US troops and participated in a USO tour in December 2005-January 2006. She entertained troops in Southwest Asia on a tour hosted by General Peter Pace.[19] Her song "Thank You" is inspired by this trip. She also supports and performs in fundraisers for a number of charitable organizations both nationally and locally, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.
In late 2007/early 2008, DeGarmo participated as a Southern celebrity in television ads for the Zaxby's restaurant chain. She also appeared as a guest voice on The Fairly OddParents "Fairy Idol" episode as Cosmo after Cosmo watches "How to Sing Like Diana DeGarmo".
Awards and charts
DeGarmo's first single, "Dreams", debuted at #2 in record sales and went #1 on the Billboard US Singles Sales Chart.
On September 17, 2005, DeGarmo received the Horizon Award at the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame Awards ceremony. The award recognizes Georgia artists on the path to successful and lengthy careers.
Discography
Diana DeGarmo discography Releases ↙Studio albums 1 ↙Singles 2 ↙B-sides 2 ↙Tours 1 The following is a complete discography of every album and single released by American music artist Diana DeGarmo.
Albums
Album information Blue Skies - Released: December 7, 2004
- Peak chart positions:
- #52 U.S.
- U.S. sales: 168,000
- RIAA certification: n/a
- Label: RCA Records
- "Dreams"
- "Emotional"
Unplugged in Nashville (EP) - Released: February 27, 2009
- Digital distribution through iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody
Singles
Year Title Chart positions Album US CAN 2004 "Dreams" 14 2 Non-album single "Emotional" — — Blue Skies Other recordings
Song information Reaching for Heaven - From: Ice Princess Original Soundtrack
- Released: March 15, 2005
I Wish - From: What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up - The Songs of Scott Alan
- Released: November 1, 2010
References
- ^ USAtoday.com (2004-05-27). "31.4 million tune in to American Idol". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-05-27-american-idol-finale_x.htm. Retrieved February 21, 2007.
- ^ Anthony K. Valley (2004-05-25). "American Idol Contestants Ties to the Christian Church". http://www.inthefaith.com/2004/05/25/american-idol-fantasia-barrino-diana-degarmo-ties-to-the-christian-church/. Retrieved February 21, 2007.
- ^ USA Today. September 24, 2010. http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2008/10/kristy-lee-take.html#more.[dead link]
- ^ All Grown Up and Finding Her Way, Mary Colurso, April 27, 2007, accessed 7/10/2007
- ^ Diana DeGarmo Moves to Nashville, Craig Shelburne, February 15, 2008, accessed 3/26/08
- ^ Catching Up With Past American Idol Finalists, Fred Bronson, March 14, 2008, accessed 3/26/08
- ^ http://www.conwayent.com/?pg=artist&artistId=28
- ^ http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120416.html Playbill.com
- ^ "Mama, Diana DeGarmo's a Toxic Girl Now, Kimberly Kaye, August 24, 2009"
- ^ Birdsong, DeGarmo, Lowe and Thomas to Star in Back to Bacharach and David playbill.com
- ^ Anthony Fedorov and Diana DeGarmo Star in "Joseph"
- ^ DeGarmo to Join Cast of Off-Broadway's Toxic Avenger
- ^ Diana Degarmo's Twitter
- ^ Kyle Riabko, Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo Are Hair's New Headliners; Complete Cast Announced
- ^ Diana DeGarmo Cast in National Tour of 9 to 5
- ^ HAIRSPRAY at the Hollywood Bowl to Star Fierstein, Winokur, Bleu, Carey, DeGarmo, Jonas, Stamos & More
- ^ http://www.tvguide.com/News/DeGarmo-Young-Restless-1037229.aspx
- ^ http://movies.broadwayworld.com/article/Diana_DeGarmo_Val_Kilmer_Set_for_The_First_Ride_of_Wyatt_Earp_Film_20110318
- ^ "Diana DeGarmo entertains the troops". http://www.uso.org/gallery/details.aspx?id=74.
External links
American Idol season 3 Contestants Fantasia Barrino · Diana DeGarmo · Jasmine Trias · LaToya London · George Huff · John Stevens · Jennifer Hudson · Jon Peter Lewis · Camile Velasco · Amy Adams · Matthew Rogers · Leah LaBelleOther Sources Categories:- 1987 births
- American child singers
- American Idol participants
- American female singers
- American musical theatre actors
- Idol series runners-up
- Living people
- People from Birmingham, Alabama
- Musicians from Alabama
- Musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)
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