_ -

BY ROBERT J. NEBEL You released your new CD,

ROCKIN' AT THE "Blue Skies," In December. What
RIDGE: A BENEm
been a big year for Diana are your thouglIts on the recording

I
('S
FOR PEACHTREE
DeGarmo. The Snellville RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
teen came in second on the
Diana DeGarmo
2004 season of Fox's perennial
Rik Emmett
hit talent competition Shawn Mullins
''American Idol," released her Luna Halo
debur album, "Blue Skies," in Sam Thacker
December, and Saturday, May 21
later this month Peachtree Ridge High
she graduates School
from Shiloh High School. In 1555 Old Peachtree
addition, she performs this week Road, Suwanee
2pm
at "Rockin' at the Ridge," a
$25
benefit concert also featuring
www.quincyentertain
Rik Emmerr (formerly of rhe
ment.com
Canadian hard rock band
Triumph) and Atlanta's own Shawn Mullins.
The Sunday Paper recently talked with
DeGarmo. whose optimistic spirit and warm
laugh are as genuine as they appeared on
"Idol," about her time on the show and her
plans for the future.
It's been one year since you were
:down to tile wire on "American Idol."
What was that expe_ like?
It was an incredible amount of pressure.
A but it was great when all of that emotion
kind of len and I was excited that it was over.
I was excited for Fantasia [Barrino. the first-
place winner].
What have you learned
since that time?
The experience definirdy
made me stronger.
Is ["Ame~can Idol" Judge] Simon Cewell
putting on that snotty persona, or Is he really
like that In person?
No. He is really like rhar. We didn'r spend
time together.
SImon said he felt you were too young lor the
competition. DId you ever agree with that?
No, I never did. He was wrong. I went up
rhere and worked really hard.
What was It like to be around [host] Ryan
Seacrest?
I loved Ryan. He's my fellow "Georgia
Peach." He made rhe process so much berrer and
he really pumped us up. Ir was so much fun.
process?
I like it. You can go in and work
in your pajamas and be creative.
What was It like when you
heard your IIrst single "EmotIonal"
on the radio lor the IIrst time?
I was in complete shock. It
was like, "Is this on the radio
or is it the CD?" ] was up in
Ohio doing a radio promotion
when I heard it for the first time.
It was cool.
Ly~clsts like David Foster
and many others wrote the
mate~al on Blue Skies. Would
you like to _ In the future?
If I get a chance to do a second albwn,
I will de/inirdy wrire.
Who do you consider to be an Inspiration?
I am a big fan of TIna Turner, Celine Dion
and Parsy Cline.
Since you returned to school _r the
competition, have the kids at Shiloh been
treating you dlflerently?
No, we all grew up rogerher and rhey
knew me very well before "American Idol."
What do you plan On doing -. gladuatlon?
I will be touring. I will eventually go to
college.
What would you study?
I'm not sure. History is my favorite subject.
How did you become Involved In this
benelIt for Peachtree Ridge High School?
The principal ar Peachuee Ridge used ro be
my principal, so it does feel good to hdp our
anorher school. Ir is a new high school and rhey
are rrying ro ger rhe communiry involved. I did
somerhing similar ro rhis for Shiloh, which
would become my high school, when I was in
rhe fourrh grade. We raised rons of money.
What are your favorite places to go to
In Snellville?
I love Mellow Mushroom and irs dollar slice
night. Our entire senior class loves Chili's.
What aclvlce would you glve to a g1~ who
wants to be the next Diana?
I just say, "Go for it and give it your
best shot." SP

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